If you suffer from high uric acid, then you know all too well how it can overload the body can contribute to symptoms such as gout.  Many are left wondering why this is occurring in their body and what they can do to help combat the problem. 

However, most never find the answers in which they’re looking for and are forced to live with this painful disorder. 

Interestingly, there is more to gout in which you aren’t being told.  In fact, many are under the belief that foods such as meat is actually making their gout worse.  Yet, in our experience, this is not the case.

Hopefully by the end of this post you will have a better understanding of how conditions such as high uric acid and gout can actually be caused by pathogenic fungal overgrowths in the body such as candida.

What is Gout?

Gout is a condition that results in the body when uric acid levels become too high.  It’s extremely painful and often times can immobilize the individual from doing daily tasks.

For those unaware, gout can create extreme tenderness in the joints which can result in severe pain and almost arthritic conditions in the individual.  It typically effects the joints but can also occur in the ankle, foot, knee, or toe.

Those who drink lots of alcohol are more prone to developing conditions such as gout.  This is because alcohol stops the kidneys from properly excreting uric acid and forces them to excrete alcohol instead.

Gout and Animal Protein – The Misconception

Those suffering from gout are often told immediately by experts to stop eating meat.  This is because animal protein is naturally high in purines.  For those unaware, uric acid is the byproduct of when purines gets broken down in the body.  As a result, experts recommend gout sufferers to stay away from all foods that are naturally high in purines.

However, research has proven that a diet high in purine rich foods is not enough to trigger a gout attack in the body (1).  In fact, meats are hardly ever the problem when it comes those suffering with gout.

It should be mentioned that animal protein has been a staple in the human diet since the beginning of time.  It’s the one food that all cultures around the world consumed.  Not once has there ever been a culture found living primarily off of plant foods; they all incorporate animal foods into the diet.

That being said, animal foods contain necessary nutrients that are required by the body for survival.  For example, B12, EPA, DHA, Vitamin A, Cholesterol, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K2 are all essential nutrients that can only be found in animal foods.

How can something that we need, be bad for us?  Also, cultures and tribes all around the world all have consumed animal products without issue.  Why all of a sudden are these animal foods causing painful conditions such as gout in the body?

The point is, gout is a symptom of the modern world.  It often results from a diet high in processed foods and sugar.  In fact, gout was often referred to as “rich mans disease” since the rich were the only ones who could afford the delicacy of sugar at the time.

High Fructose Corn Syrup and Gout – The Connection

Those who are suffering from gout are often consuming a diet rich in both carbohydrates and sugars.  In particular, fructose can be extremely damaging to the body and can contribute to conditions such as gout.

Although small amounts coming from natural sources such as fruit may not pose a problem, research has shown that diets extremely high in high fructose corn syrup can contribute to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and can actually increase uric acid levels in the body (2).

It’s important to make note that the study above was conducted on the effects of high fructose corn syrup and not on the fructose coming naturally from fruits.  Nonetheless, if you consume a diet high in processed foods and suffer from gout, chances are you’re consuming high amounts of high fructose corn syrup.

Furthermore, another study showed that intake of high fructose corn syrup not only resulted in higher levels of uric acid, but also caused a reduction of its excretion through the urine (3).

Sadly, almost all processed and packaged foods contain this harmful ingredient.  As a result, if you’re a frequent consumer of pre-packaged foods, you may want to do some investigation work as whether this hidden ingredient is the source of your gout pain.

How Candida can Cause Gout

If you suffer from a candida overgrowth as well as gout, there is a good chance that this pathogenic fungal overgrowth is making your condition much worse.  This is because this pathogenic fungus can actually release small amounts of uric acid in the body.  In fact, high uric acid levels in the body is one of the methods in which many naturopaths will use in order to test for candida overgrowth. 

Also, candida releases small amounts of toxic byproducts into the body such as alcohol.  This alcohol production can put stress on both the liver and kidneys and slow down the rate in which the kidneys can excrete uric acid from the body.

That said, those with candida overgrowth are more likely to suffer from painful conditions such as gout.  Interestingly, diets that are high in sugars and carbohydrates will be more prone to developing fungal overgrowth’s such as candida.  This is because the main fuel source of candida is sugar.  This pathogenic fungus operates on a sugar metabolism and needs sugars in order to multiply and survive in the body.

Candida also releases over 70 different toxic byproducts which can hinder the body’s natural elimination systems.  For example, the liver can be negatively affected by the toxic byproduct gliotoxin which candida frequently releases into the body (4).  As a result, the body’s ability to properly excrete uric acid can diminish significantly in the presence of a candida overgrowth.

What you Can do to Combat Gout

First and foremost, all forms of processed sugar most be dropped from the diet.  Seasonal fruit is ok, but try to not to go overboard.  Also, all processed foods must be removed from the diet.  These foods are typically full of synthetic ingredients and often contain high fructose corn syrup which can contribute to gout conditions in the body.

Also, inhibiting the growth of candida is essential for anyone suffering with gout.  We highly recommend you check out our Candida Diet Protocol Page for full details on the best foods to be eating if you suffer from candida overgrowth.

That being said, keep all starchy vegetables to a minimum.  Although they’re a complex carbohydrate, these foods eventually breakdown into sugar in the body.  As a result, they can have a negative effect on candida if consumed in excess.

Lastly, if you’re a frequent consumer of alcohol, you must drop this habit immediately if you wish to make a full recovery from gout.  Not only will alcohol make a candida condition much worse due to the naturally fermented sugars, but it can also exacerbate gout symptoms.  As mentioned before, alcohol can overwhelm the kidneys which can slow down the excretion of uric acid in the body.

Put Raw Apple Cider Vinegar in Your Water

An easy trick to help both combat candida and lower inflammation due to gout is to put a couple of tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar into your water.  Raw apple cider vinegar is a natural anti-inflammatory which can be beneficial for those dealing with gout.

Also, Raw ACV is a natural anti-fungal.  As a result, it can be great for inhibiting the growth of candida in the body and limiting its growth.  However, always make sure that you use organic raw ACV.  Raw ACV contains ‘the mother’ which is a beneficial symbiotic culture of good bacteria and yeast that make ACV so special.

Simply drink this solution throughout the day for best results!