The Atkins Diet And Gout Do They Mix?

By Lisa McDowell

Here is a question we are asked quite a lot. Does The Atkins diet and gout mix? or for that matter does any low carb diet and gout mix?

The problem with the Atkins diet and gout is that the Atkins Diet is based around the theory that a low carbohydrate, high protein intake allows the body to burn fat more easily. Great for losing weight, not so good for gout sufferers – Let me explain!

One contributory factor to gout is being overweight and ‘losing the extra pounds’ is usually one of the first suggestions that a doctor will make. As gout is such a painful condition most sufferers are looking for a weight loss program that will take the pounds off quickly without leaving them feeling deprived. This is where diets such as Atkins fit the bill. However, there is a problem…

Your body develops gout when it is not processing uric acid effectively, because of either hereditary reasons, or an increase in production of uric acid through increased intake of purine rich food, or above normal rates of cell degeneration.

Uric acid is a natural waste product that the body produces. Uric acid is dissolved in the blood stream and is eliminated via urine. If there is elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream due to the body being unable to process and eliminate uric acid effectively, Hyperuricemia can develop.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td35hqEjOMw[/youtube]

Although, not dangerous in itself, hyperuricemia has the side effect of depositing excess uric acid, which then crystallizes, into the spaces between joints and the soft connective tissue which links the joints. The crystals are sharp, jagged needles that cause intense pain, swelling, redness and heat in the joint.

Excess uric acid can result from a number of factors such as: not drinking enough water to keep the levels dilute, drinking too much alcohol and eating a diet high in purine-rich foods.

Purine is found mainly in protein dense foods, and predominantly animal protein foods. However, these protein rich foods tend to form the backbone of the Atkins diet and other low carb diets.

The rationale for adopting a high-protein Atkins diet, and other similar ‘low-carb’ diets is to burn of fat quickly by cutting back on carbohydrates. The theory is that carbohydrates turn to sugar and the body will target sugars first when looking for fuel to burn. As you remove or heavily restrict carbohydrates in your diet, the body has no choice but the burn the reserves of fat.

This then gives the result of quick weight loss. However, this process of burning up fat produces lactic acid as a by-product, which then has to be processed by the kidneys before elimination; keeping uric acid levels in the blood stream higher and the likelihood of a gout attacks is subsequently increased.

Another risk of following a low carb diets, if you’re predisposed to gout, is they can lead to a build up ketones in the blood stream, another compound which can push uric acid levels higher.

So, gout sufferers are usually better to follow a gout-friendly diet rather than a low-carb diet. Although the weight loss may be slower, your chances of suffering another gout attack is very reduced dramatically.

There is the option of adopting a tailored low carb diet that takes into account your gout risk, combined with other treatments to increases the expulsion of uric acid from the body.

For information and advice on choosing the right diet, between an Atkins diet and gout friendly diets sign up for a free newsletter on our site.

About the Author: By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover more about atkins diet and gout diets, plus other natural cure for gout options.

Source: isnare.com

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A Swivel Bar Stool Can Lead To A Healthier Lifestyle

By Marc Hardey

You are lying on your back. Your body feels shot, unable to move another inch. Every muscle in your body tells your brain it refuses to move. But your brain tells your body that it

must

move. You must get up one more time, in order to get the drinks that you could die without. So, your mind tells your carcass to ignore any feelings of being tired, pained, or overused. You place your hands behind your head, to support it as you curl your upper body forwards. Nearing the halfway point, gravity starts to resist, pushing you back towards the ground. But you keep moving forward and leftward, until your right elbow contacts your left knee. Then suddenly, your body quickly drops back to the ground, exhausted from doing your last sit-up of the set. While turning on a swivel bar stool actually reduces resistance, instead of increasing it, the action resembles the turning motion of many stomach exercises.

Genes or Jeans?

The need for stomach exercises shows that overeating has become an epidemic in modern society. In fact, obesity is the U.S.’s second most common cause of preventable death. This fact shows that slow metabolism and “bad” genes cannot always be blamed for obesity. Worse, the problem does not end with obesity. Being overweight can cause other health problems, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. While sitting on a swivel bar stool all day is not advisable, its full range of motion can motivate people to hit the gym.

Twist and Burn

Several exercises are useful in isolating the stomach’s muscles, and many of them require the exerciser to twist the middle part of his body. There are some exercises that isolate certain parts of a person’s midsection.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw9ikG9SNkE[/youtube]

* The

jack-knife sit-up

is an exercise that focuses on one’s abs. First, sit on a mat or on the floor. Do not try this on a swivel bar stool! You can either use no weight, or place a weight between your ankles. Lie flat on the surface, with hands to the sides. At the same time, raise your knees and upper body until the hips and knees are bent. Then return to the starting position, with the waist, hips, and knees stretched out.

* The

weighted incline twisting crunch

is an excellent exercise for one’s obliques. Hook your feet under padding and lie flat on an incline bench, bending your hips. Use both hands to hold a plate on your chest. Twist your waist, to raise your upper waist from the bench, to one side. Return until the shoulders’ back touches the padded incline board. Then repeat on the opposite side.

After doing several sets of these exercises, you have earned the right to sit on a swivel bar stool, which does all the work for you!

Eating to Your Health

Another way to shed pounds is by changing your eating habits. Many meals include too much fat and too many carbohydrates and calories. Even some “healthy” foods are misleading. A salad smothered with a cheese and bacon dressing can have as much fat as other oily foods on the menu. Sodas, burgers and chocolate seem to be taking the place of fruits, vegetables, and yogurt in many people’s diets. So whenever you sit at a swivel bar stool, it would be wise to usually make healthy choices from a menu.

Twisting on a swivel bar stool is much easier than shifting your weight on a stationary bar stool. But the twisting motion should remind you to exercise your midsection and make healthy diet choices.

About the Author: Get your own

swivel bar stools

now! Visit SimplyBarStools.co.uk now and browse through our selection of

bar stools

, such as

kitchen counter stools

.

Source:

isnare.com

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