During the first three months of lowering uric acid, the joints are still in an unstable state, and the uric acid accumulated in the soft tissues is easily shed. If the patient encounters stress factors such as illness, changes in living environment, mental stimulation, excessive fatigue, or surgery at this time, it may lead to an acute attack of gout, which is a high incidence period for arthritis.
Therefore, within the three months of reaching the standard blood uric acid level, it is essential to strictly observe stress conditions, control diet, especially avoiding the following four types of foods!
1. High Purine Foods
High uric acid causes gout. To prevent gout, you need to lower uric acid, which is a byproduct of purine metabolism. Therefore, it is best to avoid high purine foods, including shellfish, animal organs, soybeans, adzuki beans, seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, meat soups, meat sauces, and more. Especially ingredients like dried small fish, which contain 1300mg of purines per 100g, equivalent to a “purine bomb,” should be avoided at all costs.
2. Fructose
Gout patients can eat fruits without much problem, but fructose intake must be limited, as it is a type of carbon compound that can increase uric acid levels in the body. Beverages, hawthorn slices, milk tea, bread, pastries, dairy products, ice cream, biscuits, lotus seed lily root powder, nearly all processed foods contain significant amounts of fructose.
This industrial sweetener is aptly called “non-purine poison,” as it not only increases uric acid production but also reduces uric acid excretion. Many gout patients under 30 that I’ve encountered in clinics often consume fructose-containing beverages, sometimes several bottles a day.
Furthermore, fructose can lead to insulin resistance, and daily consumption of fructose-containing beverages will lead to prediabetes in just 8 weeks!
3. High-Calorie Foods
Friends with high uric acid levels must control their weight and total calorie intake. Pork, beef, lamb… not only are these foods high in purines, but they also have very high calorie content. Studies have found that gout is more prevalent in overweight or obese individuals, especially gout patients with central obesity. Only by reducing weight can uric acid levels be lowered.
Therefore, friends with high uric acid levels take note, it’s not just about avoiding high purine foods, high-fat, high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods should also be consumed in moderation!
4. Alcohol
When the body metabolizes alcohol, it doesn’t have time to deal with uric acid, leading to an increase in uric acid concentration in the body.
In addition, during alcohol metabolism, a substance called lactic acid is produced, similar to uric acid, both needing to be excreted by the kidneys, which can affect or hinder uric acid excretion, causing uric acid levels to rise. Therefore, patients with high uric acid levels must avoid alcohol.
That’s all for today’s content. If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to like and follow!
