Have you ever heard of the DASH diet before? Actually, the term DASH is just an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. That being said, the main aim of this particular diet plan is to reduce the consumption of sodium, together with hypertension. Moreover, this also emphasizes in getting the proper amount of nutrients. Can DASH diet for gout be really effective? Read on to this article to know!
Dash Diet for Gout: What is this diet plan?
There are various diet plans that promise to deliver a lot of health benefits. Even if there are some of the diet plans that are not proven, there is one diet that has already been proven by many people. Well, I am talking about the DASH diet, a diet that wishes to reduce the blood pressure levels and the sodium consumption.
The DASH diet is conceived originally as a way to reduce the blood pressure. Nevertheless, it’s been recognized to be beneficial for wide-ranging health concerns. The DASH diet is actually based on the diet consumption that is high in fruits in vegetables, seeds, nuts, whole grains, etc. Furthermore, the DASH diet is also rich in fiber-rich foods. Therefore, it is capable of providing the right balance in between sodium, vitamins, and minerals. This is to improve the levels of high blood pressure in the body.
Dash Diet for Gout: The diet plan
The diet plan doesn’t necessarily include the restrictive demands of various diet plans. In order to follow the DASH diet, you need to increase the daily intake of vegetables and fruits, along with dairy products. Furthermore, the DASH diet plan confines the intake of fats, red meat, and sugar-rich foods and drinks.
Here are some of the most significant foods that should be on the ASH diet plan:
- Dairy
- Essential Oil
- Fruits
- Grains
- Meat
- Seeds and Nuts
- Sweets
- Vegetables
DASH Diet For Gout: Nutritional Information
DASH diet is rich in numerous minerals like iron, zinc, calcium, manganese, and potassium. All of these nutrients are valuable in the regulation of blood pressure levels.
- Calcium: in DASH diet, there are approximately 1000 – 1300 milligrams of the recommendable dietary amount of calcium.
- Carbohydrates: DASH diet helps in meeting the recommended daily value of carbohydrates.
- Fat: DASH diet is low in cholesterol level as well as saturated fat, hence reducing the risk of any heart conditions.
- Fiber: DASH diet may deliver more than the necessary amount of fiber. Remember that fiber is valuable in keeping the blood pressure level, along with the level of blood sugar stable.
- Potassium: the DASH diet is a diet plan that’s beneficial in meeting the potassium’s daily need.
- Protein: there’s a noteworthy amount of protein in DASH diet. This is actually what makes it helpful in achieving the suggested daily value of protein.
- Vitamin B12: DASH diet helps in delivering an acceptable amount of vitamin B12 in the body. This is significant for the appropriate metabolism of the cells.
DASH Diet For Gout: Is It really good for gout?
There is this one study about the effectiveness of DASH diet on gout. They assumed that reducing the intake of sodium may really lower the level of uric acid. However, they actually found that the opposite was the one that’s true. Furthermore, the researchers keep on saying that they don’t really believe in the mechanism on which the increased level of the intake of sodium reduces the uric acid level. This is since it is so vague and unclear to them.
Moreover, now the researchers suggest that the DASH diet is one non-pharmacologic, and effective approach in preventing any gout attacks. However, think about it, if doctors recommend the DASH diet to those who suffer from gout, they will be taking in more sodium. This may increase the risk of them suffering from high blood pressure and causing some other problems in their health.
There is no guarantee that if you will take the DASH diet, you will be able to shed off gout attacks or gout in general.
What to do now?
The best thing that you should do now is to stick with the diet plan that includes 80% of the daily calories consisting of complex carbs from pasta, beans, fresh fruits, and vegetables. 10% of the daily calories from low dairy fat just like butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, etc. 10% of the daily protein from lean fish and meats.
Remember, you don’t need that extra salt. Various natural foods already have enough salt with them, especially in meeting the necessary needs of the body. You shouldn’t follow the DASH diet thru increasing the salt intake in an instant. Of course, you don’t want to go from gout to high blood pressure. To your common sense as well as for your health! Do not let yourself get deceived by false hopes.
