Weight gain and obesity plays a huge role in the development of gout. When your body becomes too heavy, a lot of weight is being put onto your kidneys, so they won’t be able to function correctly. Research shows that a large percentage of those with gout are overweight.

Gout has also been proven to be associated with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

How does Obesity Trigger Gout?

When your body gains a significant amount of weight, your kidneys will have a hard time doing its job. So therefore, levels of uric acid will climb due to the fact that your kidneys aren’t flushing it out of your body. Once these levels of uric acid reach high enough, they will eat at the joints and cause gout.

What Should Overweight People do?

For starters, they should try to lose as much weight as healthily possible. Check to see what the average weight is for your age and height. This can easily be found out by going to the doctor, who will then let you know how much you need to lose. If you can do this before you develop gout, great. But if you are already suffering from gout and are overweight, by losing some pounds can help reduce the symptoms. Your kidneys will have less weight on them and will be able to do their job a little better.

Is there a Diet?

You should try to exercise as well as eat healthily when looking to lose weight. And even after the weight is gone, you should stay away from purine-rich foods, such as the following:

• Shellfish
• Red meats
• Peas, beans, cauliflower, spinach,
• Organ meats – liver, brains, heart, kidneys
• Alcohol

You should instead drink plenty of milk and water and eat low-fat dairy products. Although this is what research shows, you should make sure to talk with your physician about dieting that best fits your health.

Genetics

Research has shown that both obesity and gout can play into genetics. One out of every four people with gout has a family history of the illness. Sometimes you have to work extra hard to prevent gout and obesity if it runs in your family. Stay away from purine foods or “gout foods” and drink plenty of milk and water.

Who is at higher Risk?

Before, scientists used to believe that protein foods were the main cause of gout (besides alcohol and obesity). Now, studies have shown that foods with purines cause uric acid in the blood to increase, which then causes gout. It is important to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible to ensure that they are able to do their job. When you are overweight, your kidneys aren’t able to function correctly and when you drink a lot of alcohol (also purine-rich), you will eventually develop kidney failure.

When your kidneys can’t get rid of the uric acid, the levels will only increase, thus developing seriously painful gout. So eating “gout foods” or any other food that will cause you to gain weight can equally put a high risk on your health. Some foods that can help lower the levels of uric acid are as follows:

• Dark berries
• Salmon
• Nuts and olive oil

Natural remedies are great for any health condition, so make sure to check them out for natural gout treatment .

Sources:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20307.asp
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/gout.htm