As we know, many studies have linked Gout with chronic inflammation and obesity. Both conditions contribute a group of factors that increase the risks of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes – also known as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of biochemical and physiological abnormalities affecting an estimated 50 million Americans.
Somehow, Gout had escaped the classification of a metabolic syndrome, despite all indications proving otherwise. High levels of uric acid in the blood have been found to be a key factor in the development of metabolic syndrome. Gout is dangerous and remains largely undiagnosed. This condition is complex, prevalent, and exists within a matrix of several co-morbidities making it increasingly relevant.
Increasing evidence supports Gout’s association with metabolic syndrome as the complexity of Gout continues to yield undeniable relations with each new investigation. Other studies have supported this classification with evidence that suggests agents that block the intracellular synthesis of urate may restore AMPK activity and help maintain metabolic homeostasis. Gout can easily be classified as both an inflammatory and a metabolic disease.
Dr. Rostyslav Bubnov, PhD, of the Zobolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology for the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine recognizes this as fact and identifies gout as a severe and common metabolic disorder that leads to kidney disease.
As we continue to find new ways to fight the diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, we must address some of the main components such as insulin resistance, hypertension, and excess body fat. Dr. Bubnov is the first author of a study aimed to research the effects of probiotic therapy on adults with obesity, gout, and gout related kidney disease.
Aside from lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and a balanced diet approach – we need to address our gut health. A huge proportion of our immune system resides in our GI tract. In fact, it is assumed that over 70% of the immune system is in our gut making it the cornerstone of our general health and well-being. We can, and must, apply several changes and additions at once to pack the punch(es) necessary to begin repairing and healing. We can start with adding probiotics to our daily regimen.
Dr. Bubnov’s research team found their volunteers’ health improved after only 10 days of probiotic therapy. They experience:
- Lower blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Reduced Abdominal fat and waist circumference
- Decreased lesion size and scar tissue on the kidneys
- Decreased tophi size, and
- Normal uric acid and creatinine levels in the blood
“Short-term individualized probiotic therapy is effective to treat signs of [metabolic syndrome] and hyperuricemia and can successfully restore function and structure of [the] damaged kidney in gout,” the researchers wrote.
Can we manage Gout and mitigate metabolic syndrome? Seems this is an important and evolving question that needs our attention. We have had the pleasure of seeing great results guiding people with the right supplements and lifestyle changes. We can’t keep popping pills and expecting results. We must put in the work. Supplements are often the missing key, but they can’t be the only saving grace. A wholistic approach is the way to restoring our health and mitigating a life of chronic illness.
