If you have suffered from one or more episodes of gout, chances are you’re concerned about the potential for a recurrence. This markedly painful condition, once experienced, is not one that most sufferers wish to repeat. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of developing a new episode of joint swelling and tissue inflammation that is characteristic of an episode of gout. The natural prevention of gout primarily involves changes in the diet, particularly the elimination of high purine foods. Moreover, For billing and reimbursement of practitioner administered drugs that you take for the treatment process you can click on the link. There you will be directed on how you can claim your reimbursement in order to control your overall medical billing.
Purines are nitrogen-based structures that serve as building blocks for nucleic acids, components that form the backbone of DNA, and RNA, the genetic material found in every cell in the body. Why does the elimination of high purine foods reduce the chances of experiencing a recurrence of gout? An attack of gout is brought on by high levels of uric acid, a substance which crystallizes out into joint tissues, setting up an inflammatory process. The result is severe pain and swelling in the tissues. The areas most commonly affected are the great toe, but other parts of the foot and the lower extremity joints can be involved. Less commonly, gout will affect the joints in the arms or hands. High purine foods contribute to the recurrence of gout because the breakdown of purines in the body produces uric acid, the primary culprit in gout.
Reducing high purine foods in the diet is a simple way to reduce your risk of experiencing another painful episode of gout. Gout has often been described as the “disease of kings” because the wealthy and affluent can afford to buy the purine-rich foods that promote the development of an attack of gout.
The most important way to eliminate high purine foods from the diet is to reduce or eliminate animal-derived sources of protein. Foods with the highest purine content are usually animal-based and include red meat, poultry, and even seafood. Some protein sources that are particularly high in purines include mussels and sardines, anchovies, scallops, organ meats, and sweetbreads, although most meat products are high purine foods. Because you need protein in your diet, you can replace your daily protein sources to some degree with low purine protein sources such as milk, cheese eggs, and nuts.
What about the intake of other foods such as fruits and vegetables? Although some vegetables such as beans, peas, and spinach are considered to be high purine foods, studies have shown that consumption of vegetables high in purines doesn’t appear to increase the risk of a gout recurrence. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2004, showed that consuming higher levels of low-fat dairy products such as milk and cheese may actually reduce the risk of gout by lowering uric acid levels. Fruits are also low in purines and can be safely eaten. Two other substances to avoid because they raise uric acid levels are alcohol and soft drinks.
To make it easier to reduce high purine foods in your diet, you can find complete lists of foods to be avoided at various online sites. These simple dietary changes can decrease your risk of experiencing the painful condition we know of as gout.