Tag: diet

A Bit about Gout

Todays post is about Gout.

Scott and I were recently discussing this condition that affects many people. There are many theories around what it is and how it is contracted.

So, here are some facts.

Gout was historically known as “the disease of kings” or “rich man’s disease”. It has been recognised at least since the time of the ancient Egyptians.

Gout affects about 1 to 2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. It has become more common in recent decades. This is believed to be due to increasing risk factors in the population, such as metabolic syndrome, longer life expectancy, and changes in diet

What is Gout?

Gout is actually a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by crystals that form in and around the joints. The crystals result from high levels of urate in the body. It is a condition caused by a build-up of uric acid and the body does not flush out the crystals fast enough. This build-up usually affects your feet. If you have gout, you’ll probably feel swelling and pain in the joints of your foot, particularly your big toe. Sudden and intense pain, or gout attacks, can make it feel like your foot is on fire.

What is Urate?

Urate is found in all people, in small amounts in our blood. Our bodies make it every day by breaking down natural substances called purines. Purines are found in our bodies’ cells, as well as some of the foods we eat. Our kidneys usually remove any excess urate from our blood into our urine. However, people with gout have higher-than-normal amounts of urate in their bodies. This can be a result of:

  • our bodies producing too much urate and/or
  • the kidneys being unable to get rid of it quickly enough (this is the main reason for high urate levels in more than nine out of ten people with gout).

If urate levels remain high, it starts to form small crystals in and around the joints. These crystals form slowly, over months or even years, usually without any symptoms. A gout flare up occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the crystals. The crystals still remain in the joint(s) even after the pain settles.

You’re more likely to get gout if you:

*are a middle-aged man or postmenopausal woman

*have parents, siblings, or other family members with gout

*drink alcohol

*take medications such as diuretics and cyclosporine

*if you have a kidney or thyroid problem, or an inherited disorder, can make it harder for your body to remove excess uric acid.

In some people with gout, diet is the cause.

How can diet contribute?

Certain foods are naturally high in purines, which your body breaks down into uric acid. Most people don’t have a problem with high-purine foods. But if your body has trouble releasing excess uric acid, you may want to avoid certain foods and drinks, such as some red and organ meats, certain seafood and alcohol.

Some sugar-sweetened beverages and foods containing fructose can also be problematic, even though they don’t contain purines.

There is however, evidence from studies suggesting that certain foods help can reduce uric acid levels in the body. They are – tart cherries, magnesium, ginger, apple cider vinegar, celery, nettle tea, dandelion and milk thistle seeds.

But simply eating these foods may not be enough to control gout

If left untreated, gout can eventually lead to arthritis. Hard lumps called tophi can eventually develop in your joints and the skin and soft tissue surrounding them. These deposits can permanently damage your joints.

If you think your may be suffering with gout, it is important to seek advise from your chosen health professional.

Moving forward

The only way to diagnose gout with certainty is by your doctor finding urate crystals in fluid taken from your joint. Uric acid levels can also be measured by blood tests, however these are not always accurate. However, blood tests are useful in ruling out other causes for your symptoms, such as joint infections or other forms of arthritis.

The treatment plan recommended will depend on the stage and severity of your gout.

I hope you found this information helpful.

Till the next post,

 

Live clean n Prosper

Sources – Healthline, Arthritis Australia, Wikipedia

A bit about Hemochromatosis

Todays post is about a condition called Hemochromatosis. A topic I was discussing recently with a colleague.

Interestingly, this condition is usually considered a blood disorder, however it seems a little more complicated than that.

So what is Hemochromatosis?

Also known as Inherited Iron Overload Disorder, is caused by gene mutations.
This means that usually hemochromatosis is hereditary. There are however, some cases where the condition can be a result of another illness.
Only a small number of people who have the gene mutation develop serious problems.

Our body has specific genes that regulate the absorption, transport and storage of iron. The mutated genes impair the intestines control of the absorption of iron from foods during digestion. They alter the distribution of the iron to other parts of the body. As a result, the amount of total body iron is increased.

Because the human body cannot increase the excretion of iron, the iron accumulates. Too much iron can be toxic and over time the buildup causes damage. The liver, heart, pancreas, endocrine glands, and joints are the organs most affected.

What are the symptoms?

Hereditary hemochromatosis is actually present at birth, however some people with the condition never have symptoms. Many early signs and symptoms often overlap with those of other common conditions.

Most people don’t experience signs and symptoms until later in life. Usually after the age of 40 in men and after age 60 in women. Women are more likely to develop symptoms after menopause. This is because they no longer lose iron with menstruation and pregnancy.

Early symptoms of the condition may include extreme tiredness and fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, weight loss, and loss of sex drive. As the condition worsens, affected individuals may develop arthritis, liver disease (cirrhosis) or liver cancer, diabetes, heart abnormalities, or skin discolouration.

Environmental and lifestyle factors such as the amount of iron in the diet, alcohol use, and other illnesses can affect the severity of the symptoms.

How is it treated?

Doctors diagnose hemochromatosis based on blood tests to check levels of iron and certain proteins in the blood. Followed by checks for gene mutations that commonly cause hemochromatosis. In some cases, doctors may also use a liver biopsy to confirm iron overload is present.

Treatment includes regularly removing blood from your body. Because much of the body’s iron is contained in the red blood cells, this treatment lowers iron levels.

The amount of blood removed and how often it’s removed depend on several factors. A persons age, overall health and the severity of iron overload all have an impact.

Dietary changes are also recommended to reduce iron intake. Within our diet we consume two types of iron: heme iron, which is contained in meat and non-heme iron, which is contained in plants and supplements. Heme iron is the most easily absorbed, whereas non-heme is absorbed less well.
Calcium is the only known substance that can impair the absorption of both heme and non-heme iron. Whereas eggs, fibre and the tannins found in coffee, tea and chocolate impair absorption of non-heme iron.

Recommended dietary changes can include:

  •  avoiding supplements that contain iron and vitamin C
  •  reducing iron-rich and iron-fortified foods
  •  reduce red meat intake
  •  alcohol intake,
  •  avoiding uncooked fish and shellfish

If you’re concerned about your iron levels, reach out to your doctor and start with a blood test.

I hope that you found this information interesting.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper

Sources – U.S. National Library of Medicine,
Mayo Clinic, Davidson’s Principles & Practice of Medicine,
Haemochromatosis AustraliaOu-

The Gut – Brain Connection

Today’s post is about the Gut – Brain connection.

Last week I read an article about studies in the UK and Australia, which found that eating fruit and vegetables makes people happy.

The U.K. study of 45,000 people concluded that eating fruit and vegetables several times a week, generated an increase in life satisfaction.

The Australian study consisted of more than 7000 people. It found a link between a diagnosis of depression and the minimal consumption of fruit and vegetables.

The reason behind these results is the gut microbiome.

I have previously written about different aspects of our gut microbiome in relation to our health. (Red wine and Gut health, Gut health and Strawberries, Smoothies)

Today I will write about the gut connection with the brain and how that can impact on our health. Scott is currently studying this particular subject at the moment, so I have lots of research material at my disposal.

About the microbiome

The human gut microbiome contains resident microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. These have an important role in nutrient and mineral absorption. In synthesis of enzymes, vitamins and amino acids, and production of short-chain fatty acids. They assist with energy extraction from diet, with metabolism and help control local inflammation.

Several studies have shown that the intestinal microbiome are integral in modulating the risk of several chronic diseases.

At the same time, it is now understood that diet plays a significant role in shaping the microbiome. Experimental studies showing an acute change in diet can induce temporary changes within 24 hrs.

These recorded benefits have led to further study in the ability to modify the gut microbiota through diet.

The brain connection

Our brain, being the major part of our body’s central nervous system is always in communication with the gastrointestinal tract, or gut. There is mounting data that gut microbiota is the source of a number of substances which affect regions of the brain.

These regions are involved in the control of emotions, cognition and physical activity.

On the flip side, studies also suggest that overwhelming systemic stress and inflammation can also produce acute changes in the microbiome.

All of this research is telling us that the brain and the gut have a very interdependent relationship.

and then diet…

Studies as early as 1977 showed that diet could effect the composition of the gut microbiome. Since then, hundreds of different studies and experiments have been conducted in this field.

Several diets, including Western, gluten-free, omnivore, vegetarian, vegan and Mediterranean, have been studied for their ability to modulate the gut microbiota.

Across the spectrum of studies, the Mediterranean diet is highly regarded as a healthy balanced diet. Most notable is the high intake of fibre and low glycemic carbohydrates. There is also a relatively greater vegetable intake than animal protein. These are important factors in keeping the gut microbiota balanced, which is critical for a healthy immune system.

The close relationship between diet, the gut microbiome and health, shows how we may improve our overall health by modulating our diet.

Already the gut microbiome has been found to influence the response to cancer immunotherapy. Alterations of gut microbiota have also been associated with treating mood and depressive disorders.

So the takeaway from this research is – eat fruit and vegetables regularly to maintain good gut health and good mental health.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper