Gout Pal Interactive

Many claim that cherries help their gout, and I have reported some scientific evidence that supports this on my cherries and gout page. It has to be said that this research is not particularly thorough and not particularly inclusive of gout sufferers.

The research I have found on strawberries is inconclusive - one claiming an increase in uric acid, the other a decrease. Again these are very small studies and not aimed at gout sufferers.

Uric acid metabolism is extremely complicated. The kidneys, when functioning normally, make compensation for changes in uric acid in the blood stream.

It is almost impossible to say how different foods will affect different people, and is largely pointless for most gout patients.

Why do I say pointless?

Because, if you have a uric acid level fluctuating between, for example, 10 and 13 mg/dL, then the small reduction of 1 to 2 mg/dL that you might achieve through changing foods is meaningless. You will never lower your uric acid through eating a few more cherries.

That is not to say that diet is not important, but you have to put it into context of how severe your gout is and how long you have had it. And you have to consider everything you eat, not just one or two fruit snacks.

If you are going to tackle gout properly, you must have:

• Regular uric acid checks
• An assessment of whether you are a uric acid over-producer or under-excreter
• A diary of your food intake, including fluids
• A diary of your weight changes
• A diary of your gout attacks

And ignore any diet that says no to this, or yes to that, without a proper explanation. Most so-called gout diets that I have seen are complete and utter nonsense.