Gout from excessive protein?

[930jj]

This is gonna be a strange post but it is kind of a serious problem. Gout is a condition that causes extreme pain in the big toe to the point where you really can't walk. Anyway, there is a genetic predisposition to this condition in my family, and recently I've increased my protein intake about 50% and I started to get the symptoms (w/o even knowing what gout was) and I told my dad (also a doctor / gout sufferer) and he said it's very unusual but "what are you eating?" And when I said 2 chickens, steak, 12 eggs, tuna, etc... he said - what the hell?? no wonder. he said protein is broken down into uric acid and if you are an unlucky individual then it can collect in your joints as crystals and create pain. He said purines (which contribute to the condition) are also released into the bloodstream when tissue is broken down. His main point was to cut back on the protein - especially anything containing purines (shellfish & red meat are worse than chicken - but I rarely eat shellfish)

There are some drugs on the market that can reduce uric acid levels or prevent it from forming. So, I wanted to ask if anyone on here has had any issues with this or any success with treatment. As a last resort, can you build muscle (albeit more slowly) on a lower protein diet? Or is this impossible?

Any advice would be appreciated. This was not something I anticipated.

[big roid]

I know that excess amounts of iron cause it. Try this stuff.

http://www.goutcure.com/goutcure8.html

[Buff Diddy]

How much water are you drinking daily? If you don't know exactly start measuring it. I fill up a gallon container every morning and pour it in a shaker cup all day. I usually drink it all and then a couple more cups. I figure at least I know I for sure drank a gal.

[freedomfighter]

article
Gout, complex disease of uncertain origin caused by the faulty metabolism of uric acid produced in the body by breakdown of protein, and resulting in elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. A diet rich in malt liquors, wines, and certain types of protein may precipitate individual attacks but does not cause the disease. Its incidence is not usually affected by climate or season; about 95 percent of sufferers are men. The disease is rare in people under the age of 30; from 10 to 20 percent of cases have a familial history.

Acute attacks are characterized by severe pain in the joints, often in the big toe, but sometimes in the ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, or elbow. The attack usually begins abruptly; the joint becomes swollen, red, inflamed, and extremely tender. Untreated attacks last from a few days to a week or more.

Repeated attacks may result in the development of a condition known as chronic tophaceous gout. In this condition crystals of uric acid lodge as white, chalky material in soft body tissues and in and about the joints, where they may cause bursitis and destruction of bone. Large and deforming deposits may, after many years, settle in the outer margins of the ears, a characteristic feature of the disease. Chronic gout may also cause kidney damage by the formation of uric acid stones, a condition called urate, or gouty, nephropathy.

The treatment of both types of gout calls for complete rest of the limb and a simple diet, low in poultry, legumes, liver and other organ meats and high water intake to reduce the uric acid content of the body. Sodium salicylate and corticosteroids may be prescribed, or a corticosteriod may be injected into the affected joint. The acute phase is managed with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as colchicine or indomethacin. Chronic gout is usually treated by agents that promote excretion of uric acid, such as probenecid, and agents that inhibit production of uric acid, such as allopurinol.

Microsoft ® Encarta ® Encyclopedia 2005 © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Sorry to say but without protein its impossible to build muscle(protein+glycogen)excepting a miracle of course. You just have to avoid the proteins that cause or exacerbate the condition.

[930jj]

thanks for the info. i found out that eggs & dairy are not high in purines so that's one source that is safer at least.

[Parasite]

I'm a gout victim and excessive protein doesn't affect me. Staying well hydrated for me is key. 1 to 2 gallons of water daily keeps the problem away. Best advice - forget about drinking beer. My max is 2 at any time, if I drink more I'll get an attack.