Could Protein Be the Cure for Gout?

What you are about to read in this article is a theory. As far as I know there is no known cure for Gout, and research has not indicated this could be a solution. If any one else, real or fictional, has this theory, it is purely coincidental Never try any nutritional change without first consulting with your doctor or other healthcare professional.

"Main Entry: gout

Pronunciation: \ˈgau̇t\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English goute, from Anglo-French gutedrop, gout, from Latin gutta drop

Date: 13th century

1: a metabolic disease marked by a painful inflammation of the joints, deposits of urates in and around the joints, and usually an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood
2: a mass or aggregate especially of something fluid often gushing or bursting forth

- gouty \-ē\ adjective"[i]

I was reading an online article about foods that help you with your metabolism. I use to think I have gout because sometimes my joints swell up without warning. My research on the subject suggests that it is indeed my condition. But upon medical examination the Nurse says yes, the Doctor says no. Doctor says it is probably arthritis. What kind of arthritis he did not say. The Nurse, who in this case, is really a Physicians Assistant (P.A.) and has done more of the hands on work with me, like the lab work and X-Rays than the doctor has, seems to think otherwise. However, in my case, I think the Doctor may be right. The reason I think this is because of the difficulty[ii] in diagnosing gout the Doctor did something the P.A. did not. He took the excess fluid out of my knee and found no uric acid. The P.A., however, took blood samples and did find excessive uric acid in the blood except for the last trip when she suspected gout.

In addition to the above-mentioned article I almost participated in an Online Gout Study by Boston University. The Problem was, I thought the Doctor had diagnosed me with gout, but he had not, so the paperwork was never returned. However there are resources that indicate gout is not caused by the same things we once thought it was.

My first Gout-like attack (flare-up) was after I had eaten lots of pinto beans. But recently that diet does not seem to be affecting me. Studies conducted in 2004 and 2005 indicated that not all high-purine foods affect gout. High purine vegetables had no effect on gout. It also indicated that dairy products were good for gout. In addition the 2005 study showed that total protein intake was not associated with uric acid levels.[iv]

I use to hand out flyers door to door for a couple of Fitness Centers. One of these fitness centers had an inside booth where it's attendant made shakes and included protein. I had one these shakes and it had no gout-like or other negative effect on me. Most Bodybuilders, which was the main focus of the other fitness center, use protein. More than once I saw giant bottles of protein, whey protein, sitting on the front counter.

People with gout are often told to avoid excessive protein, which is still good advice. But there are different classes of protein. According to Dr. Andrew if you have gout should a a class of protein called purines should be avoided.[v] This tells me that there are different classes of protein. Because there are different classes of protein and because of studies such as those conducted in 2004 and 2005 indicating that vegetable purines have no effect on gout suffers, and the percentage of protein has no effect on gout suffers and that dairy products help gout suffers, then maybe whey protein can help gout sufferers.

Since whey protein is made from cow's milk and there is an indication that dairy products have a protective effect for gout sufferers, then my logic is that perhaps a particular class of protein could help "cure" gout.

Remember, however, that this is just a theory. There is no scientific evidence to back it up, yet. Also, never-ever try such an experiment without consulting your Doctor or other health care professional and seeking their advice first. Always seek your health care professional's advice first. I could be very wrong in my theory and that would not be good for you or your gout.

[i]http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gout

[ii]https://dcc2.bumc.bu.edu/goutstudy/GoutInfo.aspx under "How Is Gout Diagnosed?"

[iii]http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/gout-chronic/print.html

[iv]http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2982948/15_foods_that_speed_metabolism.html?cat=51[v]http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00691, Under Symptoms and Causes, 1^st Par. 2^nd Sent.