Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis that affects the joints, often the big toe. An estimated 36% of men and 12% of women per year in Western countries experience gout.
This condition occurs when a waste byproduct known as urea builds up in your body, leading to hyperuricemia. Its caused by overproduction of urea or an inability to excrete it through urine.
While genetics play a large role in gout, other factors can also increase your risk, such as your diet and, potentially, your weight.
You may wonder, then, if you should attempt to lose weight to help manage your gout.
This article tells you all you need to know about gout and weight loss.
Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, or high urea levels.
Certain hereditary and lifestyle factors can increase your risk of hyperuricemia, such as:
While these factors may play a role, gout is hereditary, which means you may still develop it regardless of your lifestyle habits or weight.
The American College of Rheumatology currently recommends that people with overweight or obesity who have gout lose weight to help manage the condition and reduce their risk of flare-ups.
One large study found a link between body mass index (BMI) and gout incidence and flare-ups. Over the course of 7 years, people with obesity were significantly more likely to develop gout than people with normal BMIs (less than 25 kg/m2).
In addition, those whose BMIs decreased by 5% had 39% lower odds of gout flare-ups, while those whose BMIs increased by 5% had a 60% increased risk.
Another study that included 11,079 people also found a relationship between obesity and gout. Study participants who had obesity throughout adulthood and those who gained weight in adulthood had an 84% and 65% increased risk of gout, respectively.
A review of 10 studies on gout and weight loss found that losing 7.7 pounds (lbs.) (3.5 kg) or more may reduce gout attacks.
However, the authors argue that most studies on this topic are small and low quality, and they suggest that we need larger, higher quality clinical trials.
Further, a large 27-year study among 44,654 men found that 77% of gout cases may have been prevented through strategies such as maintaining a normal BMI, following a nutritious eating pattern, and limiting alcohol and diuretics.
In particular, the study found that excess adiposity, or fat stores, was one of the largest risk factors. Interestingly, adopting healthier lifestyle habits did not seem to be beneficial in men with obesity if their weight was not also reduced.
Ultimately, it appears that weight loss, and particularly fat loss, may help people with obesity and gout manage their symptoms.
If you want to lose weight to help manage gout symptoms, its important to do so in a safe and healthy way. That means its best to skip fad diets, which can lead to mental health challenges, nutrient deficiencies, weight gain, metabolic issues, and other effects.
For sustainable weight loss, try to adopt habits that you can continue to follow in the long term. Consider:
You may also wish to work with a registered dietitian, who can make personalized recommendations based on your medical history, food preferences, and budget.
In addition, its important to make sure youre staying active when you can.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, but any increase in physical activity is a great starting point.
Getting proper sleep and doing your best to manage stress are also important for well-rounded health and may support weight loss, if you choose to pursue it.
For most people, its generally safe to lose around 12 lbs. (0.450.9 kg) per week from a calorie deficit.
While losing weight may help with gout symptoms, there are other tips you can follow to manage the condition:
Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis that can result from genetics or lifestyle factors.
While genetics play a large role, overweight or obesity can increase your risk of developing gout and experiencing recurring flare-ups. Thus, losing weight may be beneficial for some people.
However, keep in mind that gout is hereditary and may not be related to your weight or lifestyle habits.
If you want to manage your gout symptoms, there are other things you can do besides losing weight, such as eating a nutritious diet, limiting foods high in purines, avoiding alcohol, and managing any other chronic conditions you may have.
Its best to work with a healthcare professional such as a physician, as well as a registered dietitian, who can make personalized recommendations for your treatment including a nutritious, culturally appropriate eating pattern that can help you manage gout.
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Gout and Weight Loss: What You Need to Know - Healthline
