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Written by Superhuman
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Wednesday, 23 January 2008 |
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Gout is a metabolic disease involving elevated blood uric acid and the collection of uric acid crystals in the joints— particularly in the hands and feet.
Joint crystals cause extreme pain, inflammation and deformity. Gout occurs when the liver produces more uric acid than the body can excrete in the urine. Diets high in protein and fat trigger greater uric acid production than the kidneys can process. Reduced body water caused by diuretics concentrate the blood and makes it more difficult for the kidneys to manage uric acid. Bodybuilders are particularly at risk because they often take diuretics, dehydrate from intense training and often consume diets high in protein and fat. Boston University researchers found that alcohol, a diuretic, triggers gout attacks, typically within 24 hours after its consumption. People who drank seven or more alcoholic beverages in 48 hours increased their risk of attack by 250 percent. Gout can become chronic and cause joint deformities. Gout is rare in young people, so you should come clean with your doctor if you drink alcohol or take diuretics. (American Journal Medicine, 119: 800 e13-8, 2006)
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