Gout and diabetes are two different diseases, however, if you have one, you are at a higher risk of developing the other.
Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood. The disease can cause joint pain, especially in the big toe.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce or use enough insulin to control blood sugar.
How are the two linked?
Scientists don’t yet know exactly how gout and diabetes are linked.
Gout can trigger inflammation in the body. Some experts believe that inflammation may play a role in diabetes.
On the other hand, people with type 2 diabetes often have high levels of uric acid in their blood, which may be due to excess fat.
When you are overweight, your body produces more insulin. This makes it more difficult for the kidneys to get rid of uric acid, which can lead to gout.
Several recent studies have shown a strong association between these two types of diseases.
In one study, researchers reviewed the medical records of patients enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study, a heart disease research program that began in 1948.
The study found that individuals with higher levels of uric acid in their blood were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Specifically, for every 1 mg/dL increase in uric acid, the risk of developing diabetes increased by 20%.
Another report included more than 35,000 cases of gout.
Scientists found that women with gout had a 71% increased risk of developing diabetes, and men had a 22% increased risk.
Factors that contribute to gout and diabetes
Many common factors can increase the risk of developing gout or diabetes. These include the following factors:
- Overweight or obesity. If you have too much body fat, you are more likely to develop both gout and type 2 diabetes.
- Drinking too much alcohol.
- Drinking too much alcohol. Moderate alcohol consumption may actually reduce the risk of diabetes, with a maximum of 1 drink per day for women and men over 65 years of age, and 2 drinks per day for men under 65 years of age. However, excessive alcohol consumption can affect the release of insulin from the pancreas, which in turn can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. Drinking more than 2 glasses of alcohol a day also increases the risk of gout.
- Have a family history of both diseases. If one family member has gout or diabetes, other family members are at higher risk of developing these diseases.
- Other diseases. High cholesterol and high blood pressure have been associated with both of these diseases.
Managing and preventing gout and diabetes
If you have gout and diabetes, or don’t want to have either, controlling uric acid and blood sugar is critical.
The best way to do this is to make some habit and lifestyle changes:
- Eat healthy. Eat foods that are low in calories, low in fat, and high in fiber to reduce your risk of diabetes. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the best foods. To prevent gout, you may want to avoid red meat, shellfish, sugary foods and drinks, and alcohol (especially beer). Low-fat dairy foods may prevent gout, so you should increase your intake of these foods.
- Drink plenty of water. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to promote the excretion of uric acid in your body. Adequate hydration is also essential to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.
- Weight loss. Lower body fat can lower uric acid levels and improve blood sugar. But don’t fast or try to lose weight quickly, which can raise uric acid.
- Stay active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, which in turn reduces the risk of developing gout and diabetes.
- Manage other diseases. If you have other problems, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, it is important to manage them well. Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor.