Gout - It's time to get rid of it

A neighbor told me today that he has gout--excess uric acid which form crystals in the joints. I didn't know anyone had gout anymore--I must hang out with too many vegetarians. With a little research I discovered that about 2 million people in the US have gout--about one person in a hundred.

Talk to your doctor if you have severe joint pain. If it is gout, your doctor may want you to take some drugs to get rid of the uric acid. To help avoid forming new uric acid crystals, try the following:

1. Drink water - lots of it
2. Don't drink alcohol
3. Don't eat foods that create excess uric acid--oily fish, beef, lamb, pork, organ meats, or game meats
   
4. Eat two servings per day of low-fat dairy
5. Take essential fatty acid supplements
6. Lose weight, but slowly
7. Eat a moderate diet--chicken, grains, fruits and vegetables are fine.
   
8. Don't try fasting or low-carb/high protein diets. They can make matters worse.
9. Exercise is hard if you have gout and are overweight. Follow your doctors advice but try to burn some calories.

Take a deep breath,

Ron