A gout flare is one of the most painful human conditions right up there with kidney stones and child-birth.  These flares result from an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood caused by diet, genetic factors, and sometimes medications.  Doctors often treat flares with anti-inflammatory medications, colchicine, or steroids.  These medications do help with the pain, but they don’t help solve the underlying problem.  To much uric acid.

Acute gout occurs when uric acid overwhelms the body’s capacity to get rid of it.  Human beings don’t have the enzyme that breaks down uric acid, so it has to get rid of it via the kidneys.  When the kidneys are at full capacity, things well, “back up” in the form of a nasty gout flare.  The actual mechanism and physiology is pretty complex and not completely understood yet.

A few medications exist to help your body get rid of uric acid but diet is probably the most important.  Unfortunately, it’s often the most neglected and yet the most healthy intervention.

If you’re interested in learning more tips to help boost your overall health please read my article 10 scientifically proven ways to improve sleep quality.

References

Vieira AT, et al. Dietary fiber and the short-chain fatty acid acetate promote resolution of neutrophilic inflammation in a model of gout in mice. J Leukoc Biol. 2016 Aug 5. pii: jlb.3A1015-453RRR.

Beyl RN Jr, Hughes L, Morgan S. Update on importance of diet in gout. Am J Med. 2016 Nov;129(11):1153-1158.