A new study shows that people who drank an enriched skim milk shake made from powdered milk and additional dairy components had fewer gout attacks and less painful symptoms.
Previous research has already shown that people whose diet is low in dairy products are more likely to develop gout.
But researchers say this is the first short-term study to show adding dairy products to the diets of people already diagnosed with gout can reduce gout attacks and symptoms.
Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden attacks of burning pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint, usually a big toe. It occurs when there is too much uric acid in the body.
Normally, the kidneys rid the body of excess uric acid in the form of urine. But when the body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, the uric acid can form hard crystals in the joints.
In this study, researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand looked at the effects of drinking a skim milk powder enriched with two dairy components, glycomacropeptide (GMP) and G600 milk fat extract (G600), on the frequency of gout attacks in 102 people.
The people were divided into three groups. They drank either the enriched milk powder, a plain skim milk powder, or a lactose powder mixed with water as a vanilla-flavored shake each day.
After three months, the frequency of gout attacks dropped in all three groups. But those who drank the enriched skim milk had a significantly bigger reduction in gout attacks than those in the other two groups.
The enriched skim milk group also had more improvements in pain-related gout symptoms, fewer tender joints, and lower levels of uric acid in their urine.
The researchers write that this study shows the need for more clinical trials to support dietary recommendations (such as dairy) for gout.
Source: WebMD