Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is excreted by the kidneys, but if the level of uric acid in the body is too high, crystals can form and accumulate in the joints, triggering inflammation and pain. This pain seems to be more pronounced and common for men.
Stage I: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia phase.
There are usually no symptoms at this stage, but the patient's uric acid levels in the body are elevated and may go unnoticed. However, if uric acid levels continue to rise, it can trigger gout.
Stage 2: Acute gouty arthritis phase.
At this stage, gout attacks suddenly, and patients may experience symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, redness, and fever. This pain is usually very intense and requires immediate medical attention.
Stage 3: Intermittent episodes.
Symptoms may gradually lessen after a gout attack, but it doesn't mean that the gout has been**. This phase usually lasts months to years and requires close attention and steps to prevent recurrence.
Stage 4: Chronic tophi lesions.
If gout is reversed and not effectively controlled, it may enter this stage. At this stage, tophi may form around the joints, leading to joint deformity and dysfunction. In addition, it can lead to other health problems, such as kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
This may be related to the physiological characteristics of men. Men have more male hormones in their bodies, and this hormone can encourage the kidneys to excrete more uric acid from the body. However, at the same time, men's livers also reabsorb uric acid into the bloodstream more frequently, which makes it easier for men to have elevated uric acid levels.
In addition, men's lifestyle may also play a role in the occurrence of gout. Men tend to be more involved in high-intensity physical activity or often stay up late for work or play. This irregular lifestyle may lead to a disturbance in the metabolism of uric acid in the body, which can lead to gout.
However, this does not mean that women will not develop gout. In fact, women can also develop gout at certain stages, such as during pregnancy or menopause. During these phases, a woman's body hormone levels undergo significant changes, which may affect the metabolism of uric acid.
Uric acid is a product of purine metabolism in the human body, and when purine metabolism is disordered, it leads to an increase in uric acid. Whereas, purines are mainly found in some high-protein foods, such as meat, seafood, legumes, etc.
However, not all meats contain high purines. For example, chicken, duck, beef, etc. are low-to-medium purine foods, while pork, mutton, liver, etc. are high-purine foods. Therefore, patients with high uric acid can eat moderate to low-purine meat according to their condition.
Type 1: Chicken.
Chicken is a low-purine, high-protein meat that is ideal for people with gout. Chicken is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B6, B12, iron, zinc, etc., which can help prevent gout and promote good health. In addition, the BCAAs in chicken also promote the metabolism of uric acid in the liver.
The second: lean beef.
Beef is the only red meat that contains vitamin B12 and is rich in minerals such as iron and zinc. Gout patients should try to choose lean meat and avoid fatty meat and offal when choosing beef, because these parts are high in fat and purines. In addition, the protein and branched-chain amino acids in beef can also help prevent gout.
The third type: freshwater fish.
Freshwater fish is a type of meat rich in unsaturated fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids, which can help lower cholesterol and uric acid levels in the body. In addition, freshwater fish is also rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, D, B6, B12, iron, zinc, etc., which are also of great help in preventing gout.