The consumption of alcohol is at the top of the list for causing uric acid build up in your blood. This is not to say that alcohol causes gout in everyone. Some people are able to drink, regularly, without the risk of ever getting the disease. The type of alcohol consumed is a factor in uric acid levels.
It is a known fact that gout is linked to specific lifestyles. This dates back to the Middle Ages. Gout was known as the "rich mans disease" or the "disease of kings". Why? Because only the wealthy could afford to consume all of the rich foods, red meats and alcohol that are a major risk factor for developing gout. Add to that the lack of exercise and you are just asking for the disease to attack you.
ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
It is very much the same now as it was back then. Indulging ourselves in this kind of lifestyle seems to happen more as we get older. The kids move out and we begin to eat richer foods. Instead of milk and cookies for a snack or dessert, we know have cheese, crackers and wine. Or worse yet, we have chips and beer.
It has been shown, through research, that men who drink excessive amounts of certain types of alcohol are more at risk of developing gout than are women. Not only does alcohol have an affect on the production of uric acid, it affects the removal of it as well. The kidneys have less of chance of removing the uric acid from the body when the alcohol changes into a lactic acid. Once there is both uric acid and lactic acid in the blood, they are competing for the kidneys attention for removal.
Some types of alcohols will not put you at as much risk of developing the disease as others. As we already know, beer is the biggest culprit of causing gout. Low to moderate use of wine or spirits, has been shown to have very little or no increase in the risk of gout
There is a non-alcoholic ingredient in beer that has purines in it. Because of this, beer is the only alcoholic beverage that includes purines. A higher amount of uric acid is produced because of this ingredient, which, in turn, produces a higher risk of getting gout from beer than any other alcoholic beverage.
Some researchers do not believe that the purines in beer will increase the risk of developing gout. They also do not believe that gout is caused by too many purines in the foods we eat.
Years ago, in Taiwan, a study was conducted. These people were vegetarians and vegetables are high in purines. It was discovered that they were actually at less risk of getting gout.
So are you completely confused yet?
Let's think about this.
Maybe it is not the purines in the beer but instead the lifestyle of some beer drinkers. Most times those who drink beer will tend to eat snacks like chips and peanuts, which are high in salt and fats. Along with this, they are probably lounging and watching TV for hours at a time.
Then there are the wine drinkers. This group is more likely to have a glass of wine with either dinner or a healthy snack of crackers and cheese, fruits or vegetables.
This is not meant to categorize people according to their drinking habits, but rather to show the preferred foods that go with each type of alcoholic drink.
The bottom line, as far as alcohol consumption, it is best to drink in moderation. By doing this, you will decrease your chances of getting gout.
There will probably be the occasional over-indulgence of alcohol but this should not lead to a greater chance of getting the disease.
However, be aware, that excruciating pain in the toe may come with regular overindulgence of alcohol.
Gout and Alcohol - The Risks You Need to Know About ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS
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