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Gout - Management
What lifestyle advice is recommended in someone with gout?
- Aim for an ideal body weight — but avoid crash dieting and high protein/low carbohydrate diets.
- Eat sensibly — by restricting the amount of red meat and avoiding a high protein intake. Avoid foods rich in purines such as liver, kidneys, and seafood.
- Drink alcohol sensibly — by avoiding binge drinking and restricting alcohol consumption to 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women.
- Avoid dehydration by drinking water (up to 2 litres/day unless there is a medical contraindication).
- Take regular exercise — but avoid intense muscular exercise and trauma to joints.
- Stop smoking.
- Provide written information and patient support via the UK Gout Society. For more information, see www.ukgoutsociety.org.
In depth
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