DASH was found to bring down blood uric acid levels by.35mg/dL across the board.
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The DASH diet decreased serum uric acid levels more profoundly among patients with hyperuricemia; higher sodium intake also decreased serum uric acid levels, adding more insight into urate pathophysiology and risk factors for hyperuricemia.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that the effect was so strong in some participants that it was almost comparable to that achieved with drugs specifically prescribed to treat gout.
The Hopkins researchers noted that while symptoms of gout outbreaks, severe inflammation and sharp pain in the joints, particularly the base of the big toe, have been linked to elevated uric acid, it’s been unclear exactly what type of diet might lower uric acid and decrease the risk of flare-ups.
Dr. Stephen P. Juraschek and his colleagues reopened data from a clinical trial carried out in 1997 called DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
In the original trial, 412 participants ate either the DASH diet or a typical American diet for three months.
The DASH diet that comprises of reduced salt, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and reduced intake of red meats, candies and saturated fats – had a marked positive improvement on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
“This study suggests that standard dietary advice for uric acid reduction – which is to reduce alcohol and protein intake – should now include advice to adopt the DASH diet”, he concluded. The drop was more pronounced in people with uric levels greater than 7 mg/dL at baseline.
The DASH diet lowered uric acid on average by 0.35 mg/dL. “If one was to consume more sodium to improve uric acid, it could worsen blood pressure”. The researchers hypothesized that higher sodium would correspond with higher uric acid levels, but found the opposite to be true: those in the higher salt intake groups saw a corresponding reduction of uric acid. That would possibly prevent gout flare-ups for people with mild to moderate gout who can’t or don’t want to take gout drugs, the researchers explained.
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These results showed that the DASH diet had a marked positive improvement on blood pressure and cholesterol. Diet has always been identified as an important determinant of blood uric acid levels, but there is virtually no clinical trial evidence to inform food choice by physicians and patients.
