Gout is a type of arthritic condition characterized by recurrent attacks of inflammation in the joints and tendons, particularly in the big toe. Bodybuilding itself is not a cause of gout, but the foods that bodybuilders eat may increase the risk of developing the condition over time.
Cause
The emergence of gout first begins with purine, a compound involved in the cell's energy systems, signaling molecules and the production of RNA and DNA. Purine can be made from scratch by the cells or recycled through various pathways. When it breaks down, purine forms uric acid, a natural antioxidant. However, excess uric acid can accumulate in the blood and become lodged in the joints, causing inflammation and sharp pain.
Risk
Bodybuilders are often thought to be at risk for gout because they need protein---foods that incidentally contain a lot of purine---to repair old muscle tissue and build new muscle tissue after workouts. According to experts at Columbia University, bodybuilders may need as much as 1.5 to 2 g of protein per kg of body weight. This is compared to the 0.8 g/kg of body weight needed by the average person.
Significance
Many high protein foods such as seafood, legumes, red meat and organic meat are also known to be high in purines. The breakdown of the purine in these foods can eventually cause gout. A 12-year study conducted by "The New England Journal of Medicine" on 47,000 men found that those who ate the most red meat and seafood increased their risk of gout by as much as 50 percent.
Considerations
Eggs and dairy products are protein-rich foods that are completely absent of purine (see reference 1). Only fermented milk products such as yogurt and aged cheese contain purines because of the bacteria present during the fermentation process. However, their purine content is almost inconsequential. Plain yogurt only contains 7 mg of purine per every 100 g, whereas poultry contains as much as 130 mg.
Recommendations
Dairy products have a rich protein content due to the fact that they contain all of the essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, that are absolutely critical to the health of the human body. Bodybuilders who have never developed gout can still eat plenty of meat and seafood, but it's also a good idea to balance that out with dairy products. Whey powder, as a distilled form of a milk protein, is a particularly good source because of its high volume protein content.
