Is Beer Drinking and Gout Related?
Among all of the factors that promote an accumulation of uric acid, the consumption of high levels of alcohol is one of the foremost in the development of gout. This does not necessarily mean that every individual who regularly consumes a modest amount of alcohol will develop gout. Actually, the medical field has determined that the levels of uric acid vary greatly based upon the differing types of alcoholic drinks.
Researchers in the medical field have, for many years, deduced that dietary habits such as those high in alcohol, salt and red meat together with a lifestyle containing little or no exercise contributes to the development of gout. Unfortunately, many individuals, especially in the Western countries, adopt these dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. The adoption of these types of lifestyles usually occurs around middle age. Gout is often referred to as the “disease of kings” because of the rich diets and lazy physical routines.
Researchers in the medical field have found that men who consume an excessive amount of specific kinds of alcoholic beverages tend to suffer from an increased risk of gout development. Beer seems to be a major contributor to this condition. It is known that the body expels uric acid through urination and that accumulation of uric acid within the body leads to gout. The interesting thing about the alcohol / gout-related discovery is that alcohol seems to affect uric acid production AND the expulsion of uric acid from the bodily system.
Once consumed, alcohol transforms into lactic acid. This transformation affects the kidney’s ability to expel uric acid from our bodies. Since an excessive intake of alcohol means an excessive level of lactic acid, the uric acids now have “stiff” competition in the race to be removed from the body. Lactic acid slows the removal of uric acid which, in turn, translates to uric acid build up which again, in turn, translates to gout.
Studies have shown that specific types of alcohol pose more risk of promoting gout than other types. It has been found that the moderate consumption of wine or spirits poses little to no risks associated with gout. On the other hand, and to the great disappointment of beer swillers everywhere, beer above all other forms of alcohol poses the greatest risk of promoting gout.
It seems that some of beer’s non-alcoholic ingredients are the culprit. Of all of the alcoholic beverages available, beer is the only one which includes Purines. Anyone who has researched the causes of gout will know that a Purine rich diet leads to a high production of uric acid. This being the case, some scientists still don’t think the Purines in beer are to blame. The reason why is because a Taiwanese study on vegetarians who ate a purine rich diet showed that their bodily systems still had a low gout risk.
This is puzzling. Some studies seem to point to the fact that a Purine rich intake will increase the risk of gout. The fact that beer has a high level of Purines seem to make the belief which states that excessive beer drinkers are more likely to develop gout a no-brainer. Researchers believe that excessive beer drinking leads to gout when combined with other lifestyle factors. It has been found that beer drinkers often combine their beer intake with salty and fatty snacks. Also, beer drinkers seem to have more of a sedentary lifestyle. The combination of these factors point towards gout.
Overindulging in alcohol consumption occasionally will not dramatically affect a person’s chances of developing gout but constant overindulgence in beer drinking, combined with poor dietary choices and a “lazy” lifestyle of inactivity will only promote the onset of gout and it’s excruciating symptoms. A simple and natural component of a gout remedy would be too simply, stop drinking beer. Easier said than done!
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Author: Danny W Cooper
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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