GOUT      Gout is a common, painful form of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the body. it commonly rears it's head in the big toes, although it can occur just about anyway in your body. The cause of gout is generally a combination of diet and genetic factors. Gout occurs more commonly in those who eat a lot of meat, drink a lot of alcohol (especially beer) or those who are overweight and suffer from high blood pressure. Gout occurs mainly in middle - aged men, who represent around 90% of all gout sufferers.The remainder of gout syfferers are usually post - menopausal women. A gout prevention diet means addressing all factors related to disease risk and management.Above all, the goals for managing gout are a healthy weight and healthy eating.The principles are fundamentally the same as recommendations for a balanced, healthy lifestyle - something we're all striving for anyway! Recent research on gout has created a clearer picture of the role diet plays in disease management. Know your purines. Purines are natural substances found in all the body's cells, and in virtually all foods. A relatively small number of foods, though, contain concentrated amounts of purines - like beer for example. Some foods should be avoided, but not all foods with purines should be eliminated. it's normal and healthy for uric acid to be formed in the body from the breakdown of purines. As your kidneys are responsible for keeping blood levels of uric acid balanced, kidney problems can lead to excessive accumulation of uric acid in various parts of the body, resulting in gout. Being overweight can increase the production of uric acid by the body, which can aggravate gout. Gout is often associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. This is why it's important to maintain a healthy weight and follow a well-balanced diet to reduce the risk of long - term health concerns. Eating a diet high in fibre -rich foods and low or moderate in lean protein, limiting saturated fats and sugary drinks, and having a regular exercise routine will go a long way in helping you to manage your weight, reduce symptoms of gout, and limit the risk of lifestyle diseases. (wellness magazine)     Quote