Enjoy Your Kai Moana And Barbeques This Summer, But In Moderation

Kiwi summers consist of spending time with family and
friends and enjoying a barbeque with a drink or two. While
this is a staple for many, leading healthcare provider,
ProCare, is encouraging people to be mindful of their meat
and seafood consumption this summer, as it can lead to an
increased risk of gout.

Gout is a form of arthritis
where uric acid crystallises and deposits in the joints.
This causes severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and/or
tenderness. Although gout often affects the joint of the big
toe, it can occur in nearly any joint including the ankles,
knees, elbows, wrists or fingers.

Allan Moffitt,
Clinical Director at ProCare says: “We all know that meat
should be eaten in limited quantities but tend to forget
this when we’re at the beach and barbequing every day.
This is especially true, for those who get gout, when it
comes to seafood consumption, particularly cold-water fish
and shellfish, as they tend to be higher in
purines.

“Purines are a type of protein that break
down into uric acid, which can lead to an individual’s
gout flaring up. When you then add alcohol into the mix,
which dehydrates and impacts kidney function, further
increasing uric acid, it’s no surprise we see more
patients reaching out in pain,” he points
out.

According to Pharmac’s report*, Māori are 6.9
times more likely to be hospitalised with gout compared to
non-Māori and non-Pacific people. There are genetic
predispositions and some medicines that contribute to higher
prevalence of gout in Māori. Gout is also three times more
prevalent in men than women.

The report also
highlighted that hospitalisations because of gout can be
improved with preventative measures.

“While there
are biological factors that increase the risk for Māori,
there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Cut down
on the amount of red meat, shellfish and sugary drinks you
consume. Essentially eating a well-balanced diet is the key,
which can be hard to maintain over the summer months,”
says Moffitt.

“Lastly, in addition to genetics, one
of the biggest risk factors is being overweight. Maintaining
a balanced diet and a healthy weight reduces your risk of a
painful gout flare-up,” concludes Moffitt.

Some
people suffer repeated gout flare ups. These people often
lack the chemicals needed to break down the uric acid,
despite leading a healthy lifestyle and normal weight, they
may need to take medication for the rest of their lives to
lower acid levels and prevent further gout attacks. If you
experience this, please consult your family doctor.

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