The Danger Of Being Fat
Apologies for being so blunt, but I am fat (overweight if you prefer) and my high body-mass index (BMI) puts me at risk for gout. Whenever my weight drops below 105 kg (230 pounds), I get far fewer or no gout attacks. When my weight goes up, I start having attacks again.
HORMONES ARE TO BLAME
The reason weight is a risk factor for gout sufferers is a hormone called leptine, which controls how you manage fatty tissue. If you have too much fatty tissue, your body starts treating it as something to get rid of and triggers an inflammation. As the hormone (like most hormones) has multiple functions, it also helps the lungs to grow and regulates functions in your brain. The reason people who are overweight is more sensitive to Covid-19 is exactly this inflammation, which makes it easier for the virus to attack your cells.
STRAIN ON THE JOINTS
The weight used to be believed to be the reason for the wear on the joints that often comes with gout, but later research has shown that the explanation is much simpler. The inflammation which is triggered by overweight or obesity is the culprit, and the wear comes from arthritis. Which also explains why you can get problems in your hands, even though you are walking on your feet.
PERSISTENT INFLAMMATION
The inflammation which comes from the overweight causes wear not only on the joints, but on your heart and blood circulation as well. Actually, even if you could be overweight without inflammation, wheighing 120 kg puts more strain on pumping blood around than weighing 80 kg.
But the persistent inflammation is what wears out your body, and makes you more sensitive to gout. That alone is a good reason for lifestyle change and a different diet. The only thing to remember id that you have to manage your weight loss carefully. Dead cells is the primary source of the purine production in your body, and if you provide the liver with too much, it will create excess uric acid from the purines. Which is what gives you gout.
But the persistent inflammation is what wears out your body, and makes you more sensitive to gout. That alone is a good reason for lifestyle change and a different diet. The only thing to remember id that you have to manage your weight loss carefully. Dead cells is the primary source of the purine production in your body, and if you provide the liver with too much, it will create excess uric acid from the purines. Which is what gives you gout.