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primary culprit is fructose, which typically generates uric acid within minutes of inges on. You probably already know that fructose is a sugar, but you may not realize is that it's dis nctly different from other sugars as it's metabolized through very specific pathways that differ from those of glucose, for example, and through its dis nct metabolic ac on, uric acid is generated. The connec on between fructose consump on and increased uric acid is so reliable that a uric acid level taken from your blood can actually be used as a marker for fructose toxicity. I now recommend that a uric acid level be a rou ne part of your blood screening. According to the latest research, the safest range for uric acid is between 3 and 5.5 milligrams per deciliter, and there appears to be a steady rela onship between uric acid levels and blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, even down to the range of 3 to 4 mg/dl. As you probably know, two-thirds of the U.S. popula on is overweight, and most of these people likely have uric acid levels in excess of 5.5. Some may even be closer to 10 or higher (this may explain why being overweight also increases your risk of gout). Dr. Richard Johnson, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, suggests that the ideal uric acid level is probably around: • 4 mg/dl for men • 3.5 mg/dl for women What are the Top Tips for Preventing and Managing Gout? Be careful not to overdo it on cherries. The key is modera on, as large amounts of fructose on a regular basis are not a good strategy for health. Fortunately, they have a rela vely short harvest season and are not a tempta on for too long. According to Dr. Johnson's research, a quarter of the U.S. popula on consumes a whopping 134 grams of fructose a day. This is a staggering amount of fructose when you consider the fact that you need to restrict your fructose intake to below 25 grams a day in order to maintain good health. If you have gout, this is extremely important, and you must take into account the fructose you consume from fruit. For instance, if you eat cherries for their therapeu c value, 10 sweet cherries or 1 cup of sour cherries contain about 4 grams of fructose. Limi ng fructose in your diet is one of the most important parts of managing and preven ng gout a acks. You'll want to be sure to cut out soda, fruit drinks and other sweetened beverages, as these types of drinks are a primary source of excessive fructose. Instead, drink plenty of water, as the fluids will help to remove uric acid from your body. Alcohol in general, and beer specifically, may also raise the levels of uric acid in your blood, so this should also be limited or avoided. preventing gout attacks is essential to maintaining your quality of life Abby's Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 3 | Page 39