Gout is caused by heavy drinking
Excessive alcohol consumption is one cause of gout. Gout arises where the
blood uric acid concentration ('gout factor') is elevated. This may occur:
- for genetic reasons;
- with obesity;
- with excessive alcohol intake;
- with foods which contain high concentrations of purine (nucleic acid) (e.g., liver,
yeast);
- in conditions with high blood pressure, or high blood fats known as triglycerides;
- with certain medications such as some diuretics (fluid tablets).
Of all of these risk factors, the most important are obesity and alcohol excess in those who
are
genetically predisposed to the problem of high blond uric acid concentration.
It can be helpful for gout sufferers to drink liberal quantities of water, because this will
reduce the
formation of uric acid crystals in the kidney and urinary collection systems (see also the answer to:
'Eating Yeast will make you healthy').
