Losing Weight Can Help Reduce Gout Risk
April 21, 2005
Obesity is a health hazard. Several serious medical conditions have been linked to obesity, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Obesity is also linked to higher rates of certain types of cancer. Obese men are more likely than non-obese men to die from cancer of the colon, rectum, or prostate. Obese women are more likely than non-obese women to die from cancer of the gallbladder, breast, uterus, cervix, or ovaries. Childhood Obesity is also highly prevalent in the United States.
Gout is another disease which gets aggravated due to obesity. Gout is a joint disease caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid sometimes forms into solid stone or crystal masses that get deposited in the joints. It is more common in overweight people and the risk of developing the disorder increases with higher body weights. Drinking alcoholic beverages is bad for gout because it raises uric acid production and slows its elimination. Foods rich in substances called purines -- especially those found in some meats and seafood -- also contribute to gout.
You can decrease the gout risk by losing weight. Recent research shows that Obesity is a big risk factor for gout. A research by Massachusetts General Hospital researcher shows that the more weight the men gain, the higher is their risk of gout. But over the course of the study, those who lost weight cut their gout risk. Men who lost 10 pounds or more dropped their gout risk by 40%. This study is the first to document this important potential benefit of weight loss.
But weight isn't the only risk factor. The study also revealed that having high blood pressure ups gout risk as much as being overweight. And using water pills (diuretics) also nearly doubled gout risk.
Source: http://my.webmd.com
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