Gout & The Paleo Diet
A common form of arthritis, Gout is a condition which can cause a lot of pain to sufferers and can have a highly negative effect on a person’s standard of life. It can be apparent in any joints of the body but is most widely found in the toe, knee and ankle. The signs of Gout are obvious as the area may become red in appearance and can be sore to tough or feel really stiff. It may be restricted to one joint in the body or may spread to other areas; Gout is an unpleasant condition in both the way it looks and feels. It can be mild or more serious and can even lead to the most simple of tasks being an uphill struggle.
The pain of Gout may disappear of its own accord after a couple of weeks, but it can return in the same area or other parts of the body. The areas where Gout appeared can become sore and red out with the attacks of Gout and it is more likely that those who suffer from Gout will also end up with kidney stones. If an area of the body become red, hot and sore, it is likely that this is an attack of Gout and it is important to seek medical attention and treatment, so it is dealt with quickly.
It is believed that Gout is caused by high levels of sugar in the body as this leads to high levels of Uric Acid in the blood stream. The best way to decrease these levels is to avoid food which has high levels of sugar. As with all forms of arthritis, it is important to look closely at the diet and make changes towards a healthier lifestyle in order to reduce the symptoms and prevent the Gout from becoming a major problem. It is much safer and more effective to concentrate on a healthy diet and lifestyle than to turn to strong painkillers and anti-inflammatory tablets as a way of combating the illness. These may only help for a short period of time and won’t really get to the root of the problem.
As the Paleo diet is one which restricts the intake of sugary foods in favour of those which are high in protein and vitamins, it is believed that it can help to prevent Gout or reduce the signs for those who already suffer from the condition. The uric acid has to be restricted and this can be achieved with a healthy choice of foods, including animal fat which has a positive effect on the body.
It is also thought that a diet which is low in carbohydrates, as can be the case with the Paleo diet, can be a much healthier option to minimise the risk of suffering from Gout and other painful diseases. Carbohydrates are high in sugar, which is the main cause of Gout and by restricting this food group; there is a good chance of minimising the likelihood of suffering from the painful illness.
A diet which is very low in sugar is the best way to reduce the chances of suffering from Gout or minimise the symptoms for those who already suffer from the condition. A combination of the right foods and daily exercise will ensure that the risks of suffering from Gout and other illnesses are kept to a minimum.
Do you, or have you, suffered from Gout? How did changing your diet impact it?
