Eating and Drinking Excessively Can Lead to Gout

Many people suddenly feel “headaches” after health check-ups reveal elevated uric acid levels in the blood, which is said to lead to gout characterized by deformed joints in the fingers and toes. Dr. Dao Thi Yen Phi from the Ho Chi Minh City Health Staff Training Center explains:

– There are usually two main causes of elevated uric acid levels in the blood. First, due to the patient’s predisposition (e.g., weak kidney function, kidney stones…) which leads to decreased excretion of uric acid. In some cases, the body increases endogenous uric acid synthesis, often due to excessive physical activity. Second, dietary habits play a significant role—common among those who consume excessive amounts of meat and seafood, along with alcohol, which raises exogenous uric acid levels.

When both endogenous and exogenous uric acid levels rise, coupled with decreased renal excretion of uric acid, this leads to increased uric acid levels in the blood.

Normal uric acid levels in serum for men are

* Is it due to… eating too much meat?

– It can be simply explained that purines (found abundantly in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, liver, and legumes…) are converted into uric acid once ingested and are excreted through the kidneys.

Foods high in uric acid include: organ meats, lean pork, dog meat, beef…, seafood like squid, shrimp…, and certain types of fish, especially lean fish such as river fish, salmon, and stingray…

Some plant-based foods do not contain purines but can increase endogenous uric acid synthesis—these include mushrooms, bamboo shoots, beans, and bean sprouts. Alcoholic beverages, including beer, decrease uric acid excretion through the kidneys. Notably, certain beers that use yeast derived from mushrooms contain high levels of exogenous purines. Coffee and tea, which contain antioxidants, also contribute to increased uric acid production.

The amount of food consumed that leads to elevated uric acid levels also depends on the kidneys’ excretion capability. According to the National Institute of Nutrition’s recommendations, one should consume 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. For instance, a person weighing 60 kg should consume about 60 grams of protein per day, with rice providing approximately 50%, and the remaining 30 grams coming from around 150 grams of meat, fish, and legumes. However, most people tend to consume too much meat (around 400 grams) during dinners or drinking sessions, which further increases risk.

Two feet affected by gout (Photo: KIM SON, TTO)

* How high does uric acid need to rise and for how long before gout develops?

– Gout is typically divided into four stages:

1 – Asymptomatic stage of elevated uric acid. Among those with elevated uric acid, only 5% develop gout. Most do not limit their diet. Those who maintain a good diet may not experience acute gout for around 30 years.

2 – Acute arthritis stage due to acute gout: Patients experience pain in one joint, mainly the big toe, typically around 2-3 AM, with severe pain akin to being immersed in ice water. As the pain begins to subside, patients may feel cold and shiver due to high fever. Mornings may show some relief, but the pain can recur 2-3 hours later. These painful episodes may last for about two weeks, followed by itching and peeling of the painful area, eventually resolving completely without leaving any lasting effects.

3 – Stopped progression stage – the patient feels no issues… This stage lasts for about 10 years.

4 – Chronic gout stage: This includes kidney impairment, kidney stones, and joint deformities, affecting multiple small joints such as those in the hands and feet. At this stage, if left untreated, there is no pain at rest, but movement causes pain and stiffness.

In women, this is a rare occurrence, mainly seen post-menopause.

* Thank you, doctor!

KIM SƠN conducted the interview