DASH Diet Could Be Key To Keeping Gout At Bay

15 Aug 2016 --- Brand new research published on the American College of Rheumatology has found that a healthy diet full of fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy effectively eases the painful symptoms of Gout.

Diet has long been identified as an important determinant of high blood uric acid levels, known to play a key role in the development of gout. However, until now, there has been virtually no clinical trial evidence to inform food choice by physicians and patients.

Investigators looked at the benefits of following the Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension diet, (DASH) a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods, along with reduced consumption of saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol. 

The investigators assessed a randomized, crossover feeding trial in 103 adults with pre- or stage 1 hypertension. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the DASH diet or a controlled diet, typical of the average American.

Overall, the results showed that the DASH diet led to slight decrease in uric acid concentrations overall, a modest 0.35 milligrams per deciliter. However, the higher participants' baseline uric acid levels, the more dramatic the decrease. For those with the highest baseline uric acid levels, for example, more than 7 milligrams per deciliter, the decrease was as high as 1.3 milligrams per deciliter.

“This study shows another benefit of the DASH diet,” Stephen P. Juraschek, M.D., Ph.D., research and clinical fellow in general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told NutritionInsight, “In addition to being an effective diet for lowering blood pressure, it lowers uric acid levels substantially in people with abnormally high uric acid levels. Uric acid can be harmful at high levels, damaging the kidneys and contributing to gout flares. This study establishes the DASH diet as an effective diet-based intervention to lower uric acid levels.”

The DASH diet was designed during the late 1990’s as a way to reduce high blood pressure through diet, and has been recommended by health professionals since then. However, these new findings could give the diet a whole new purpose. 

“Traditionally the DASH diet has been viewed as a wholesome diet to prevent heart disease and lower blood pressure for patients with hypertension,” explained Juraschek, “But now the DASH diet is applicable to patients with abnormally high uric acid levels, such as are seen in patients with gout. Patients with an elevated uric acid level can discuss starting the DASH diet approach to lowering uric acid with their primary care provider or rheumatologist. The DASH diet is extremely well-tolerated and palatable with minimal adverse effects.”

Commenting how accessible the diet is, Juraschek said, “It’s fairly easy for the average American to follow the DASH diet. The American Heart Association has promoted the DASH diet for the last 2 decades. There are multiple online resources and cookbooks describing ways to implement the diet.” 

He added, “Furthermore, the DASH diet was designed using foods readily available in America. The diet itself is also quite palatable. A post-hoc survey found that DASH-Sodium participants reported liking the DASH diet more than the control diet with a higher willingness to continue the DASH diet compared to control.