Are Eggs Bad For Gout?

Eggs. Most people eat them. Whether fried, poached, or scrambled, they’re a breakfast staple the world over. But what many people don’t realize is that eggs can also be a valuable tool in the fight against gout.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, eggs are good for gout.

Now, before you go running to the nearest grocery store to buy a carton of eggs, it’s important to understand how they can help.

Eggs And Gout

Eggs are a great source of protein and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health.

Due to their low purine content (more on this below), eggs are good for gout.

Vitamins such as A, B12, and D are found in eggs, as well as minerals like selenium and choline. Eggs also contain a compound called lutein.

Vitamin A for gout works by reducing inflammation, while B12 and selenium help to reduce levels of homocysteine, which has been linked to gout.

Choline is important for liver health, and lutein is a powerful antioxidant. Lutein is thought to protect against gout by scavenging free radicals and reducing inflammation.

What Are The Signs Of Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the body. The uric acid forms crystals, which can deposit in joints and cause inflammation.

The most common symptom of gout is pain in the joint (usually the big toe but also in the knees, ankles, hand or fingers). The pain is often severe and comes on suddenly.

Other symptoms of gout can include:

– Joint swelling

– Redness

– Tenderness

– Warmth

– Stiffness

– Difficulty moving the joint

The pain can be horrendous and the inflammation can make it difficult to move.

What Is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a waste product that is produced when the body breaks down purines. Purines are compounds that are found in food.

The higher the purines are in certain foods, the higher the uric acid content will be.

Some foods that are high in purines include:

– Organ meats (liver, kidney)

– Shellfish (anchovies, shrimp, crab)

– Red meat (beef, pork)

– Alcohol (beer, wine)

Normally uric acid is excreted in the urine but sometimes the body produces too much or doesn’t excrete enough and it can build up. This is what causes gout.

Eggs are low in purines so do not have a significant effect on uric acid levels.

Eggs And Gout Studies

There have been several studies that have looked at the link between eggs and gout.

• One study by the University of Sydney found that people who ate more than six eggs a week had a lower risk of gout than those who ate fewer than three.

• One study by the National Institute of Health in the US found that people who ate one egg a day had a lower risk of developing gout than those who didn’t eat eggs.

• Another study in New Zealand by the University of Otago found that eating eggs was associated with a lower risk of gout, even after taking into account other factors such as age, weight, and alcohol consumption.
• A study in the UK by the University of East Anglia found that people who ate more than seven eggs a week had a lower risk of gout than those who ate fewer than two eggs a week.

Conclusion

So whilst eggs and gout seem like easy bedfellows it’s always important to eat everything in moderation.

In addition, there are a few other things you can do to treat gout.

Drink plenty of water, exercise, lose weight, limit alcohol and eat foods good for gout.

Eggs aren’t just gout friendly.

Eggs can also help us regulate our blood sugar levels, thanks to their high protein and vitamin content.

And if you’re looking to lose weight, eggs can be a great addition to your diet as well.

Studies have shown that eating eggs for breakfast can help you stay fuller longer and eat less throughout the day.

And if you’re worried about cholesterol, don’t be! Eggs have been shown to raise HDL (good) cholesterol while not affecting LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

So go ahead and enjoy those eggs!