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What can I do on my own to prevent gout attacks?

Created: ; Last Update: May 17, 2018; Next update: 2021.

Gout is caused by high uric acid levels. If there’s too much uric acid in our bodies, it can build up in joints and cause an acute gout attack. Some people manage to keep their levels of uric acid down by eating less meat, fish and seafood and drinking less alcohol.

Uric acid is released when substances called purines are broken down. Purines are mainly produced inside the body, but they are also found in many different types of foods that we eat. Fish, meat and seafood are especially rich in purines. People with gout are sometimes advised to stick to a strict low-purine diet. But it’s not clear exactly how effective that kind of diet is.

What role do purines play?

An estimated 70% of uric acid in the blood is made inside the body. This means that even by following a strict low-purine diet, it will only be possible to lower uric acid levels by 30% at the most. But not all foods are the same: Our bodies absorb purines differently from different foods, so it might not make sense to avoid all foods that contain purines – especially if you already eat a balanced diet. There are no high-quality studies on the effectiveness of strict low-purine diets. Besides, they can be quite difficult to stick to.

What effect do your weight and diet have?

Some studies suggest that certain foods are linked to gout attacks. Gout attacks are apparently more common in people who have eaten a lot of meat, fish or seafood a few days before. That matches many people's experiences. On the other hand, purine-rich plant-based foods such as peas, beans, lentils, spinach, mushrooms, oats, cauliflower and broccoli were found to have little to no effect on the risk of a gout attack. Overall, there hasn’t been much good quality research into the link between certain foods and gout attacks.

Eating cherries is sometimes recommended to prevent gout attacks, but there’s no scientific proof that it can help prevent gout.

Because not everybody has the same metabolism, it’s a good idea to try out for yourself what helps you and what doesn’t – and how much of different foods your body tolerates. Some people feel better after changing their diet, while others successfully lower their uric acid levels with medication and cope just fine without any changes to their diet.

Individual studies also suggest that losing weight can help if you're very overweight. People with gout should be careful not to go without any food, though – fasting can itself trigger a gout attack.

Does avoiding alcohol help?

There are only a few studies looking into the influence of alcohol on gout. They suggest that people with gout are more likely to have an attack if they have had more than one or two alcoholic drinks in the last 24 hours. One alcoholic drink is equivalent to a small bottle of beer (0.33 L), a small glass of wine (0.1 L) or a double schnapps (4 cL).

There are various reasons why alcohol can trigger gout attacks. On the one hand, it increases uric acid production and reduces the amount of uric acid expelled by the kidneys. On the other, the diuretic effect of alcohol can increase the risk of gout. Uric acid crystals form more readily in joints if the surrounding tissue doesn’t contain enough fluid. Beer in particular contains a relatively high amount of purines too, which could also be a factor.

What should I consider if I take medication?

There are certain medications that can raise the levels of uric acid, thereby increasing the risk of gout. These include diuretics (substances that increase the production of urine), acetylsalicylic acid (the drug in e.g. Aspirin) and some medications that are taken after an organ transplant. Levodopa (a treatment for Parkinson's disease) and some cancer medications can also increase the risk of gout.

If you take any of these medications, it's best to discuss with your doctor whether it would be possible to switch to a different medication.

Can dietary supplements help?

People with gout are sometimes advised to take vitamin C supplements because they are believed to lower uric acid levels. But there has only been one good-quality study on the effectiveness of vitamin C in gout. That study found that vitamin C had a weak effect on uric acid levels, but the researchers didn’t look into whether that also lowered the risk of gout attacks.

What if changing your diet isn’t enough?

Some people manage to get their uric acid levels under control by changing their diet. But many people will need to take medication. Most of the uric acid in your body is made inside your body, so changing your diet only has a limited effect. Treatment with medication is considered if the gout attacks are frequent or if you have complications like kidney stones or tophi.

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