GOUT – A TOO SOUTH AFRICAN AFFLICTION?

http://www.health24.com/Medical/Arthritis/Gout/Gout-and-diet-20120721

Step 1. Understanding the link between gout and food

Gout is a type of arthritis that usually affects the peripheral joints, most often those in the big toe (first), but can also affect the knees, elbows, thumbs or fingers.

Gout is caused by deposits of urate crystals in the joints.

Urate is one of the breakdown products of compounds called purines.

People who suffer from gout tend to either produce more urate than normal or to excrete less in the form of uric acid. Gout is usually accompanied by raised blood urate levels.

Purines, which are broken down to urate and uric acid originate from two sources, dietary protein and body synthesis.

Men are much more prone to develop gout than women, although post-menopausal women also run an increased risk.

Read: Signs, symptoms, treatment and risk factors for developing gout