Diet for Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that is characterized by extreme pain, redness and swelling of joints such as big toe, ankle, heels, feet, and in some cases, knees. There is a specific diet for gout that helps manage the symptoms.

Mr. Lawrence was suffering from swelling, stiffness and extreme pain in the joints of his big toe. He was finding it difficult to walk and move about. His physician diagnosed gout and suggested certain changes in diet. And to his surprise, he is now feeling much better. What is the gout diet that helped Mr. Lawrence to get relief from painful gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by increased levels of uric acid in blood. It is also called as metabolic arthritis or urarthritis. It mainly affects big toe and joints of feet and ankle. However, it can also involve other joints such as fingers, elbows, knees and heels. Gout is mainly caused by excess production of uric acid in the body, which is not properly eliminated from the body. Uric acid results from the breakdown of purines. Uric acid build-up in the blood can lead to various health problems such as gouty arthritis, kidney stones and kidney failure. Some other factors such as genetic factors, obesity, excessive dehydration, excessive intake of alcoholic drinks and intake of foods that contain high levels of purines are also responsible for developing gout.

Gout is the most painful type of arthritis that causes acute pain, swelling, redness and stiffness of joints. Joint pain is the most significant sign of gout. If left untreated, it can cause damage to joints, leading to permanent disabilities. Hence, it is very essential to prevent acute gout attacks. Some of the preventive measures for gout include medications to lower the uric acid levels, maintaining a healthy body weight, reduced alcohol intake, adequate fluid intake and some dietary changes. Dietary changes play a significant role, while dealing with gout. You should avoid certain foods that are high in purines. You need to follow a specific diet for gout that will help to give relief from the symptoms of gout. Let’s know in detail about the foods to avoid and the ideal gout diet.

Foods to Avoid in Gout

The treatment for gout includes certain dietary restrictions. Since uric acid is a breakdown product of purines, gout patients are advised to avoid or limit the foods that are rich in purines. Purine-rich foods and high protein diet can increase the risk of gout. Therefore, high protein and purine-rich foods such as organ meats (brain, liver, kidney and sweetbreads), meat extracts, chicken, pork, lobster, shrimps, wheat, yeast, vinegar, lima beans, black beans, soy beans, scallops, mackerel and herring should be avoided by gout patients.

Certain vegetables including cauliflower, asparagus and mushrooms are very rich in purines and hence, they should be avoided in gout. Gout patients should also avoid some acid-forming foods such as alcoholic drinks, processed syrups, packaged fruit juices, sauces, commercial pickles and artificial sweeteners. Caffeine in coffee enhances the breakdown of proteins and aggravates gout. Hence, coffee should be avoided in gout. Now let’s see what is the recommended diet for gout.

Diet for Gout

Gout patients should have the foods that contain medium and low amounts of purines. The diet for gout patients should be rich in complex carbohydrates such as pasta, breads and rice as well as low-fat dairy products. It should also include abundant amounts of essential fatty acids such as nuts, flaxseed, salmon and tuna. Foods that contain medium amounts of purines can be eaten in moderation. They include shellfish, fresh and saltwater fish, eel, meat soups, poultry, legumes, spinach, bran, oatmeal, whole-grain breads, wheat germ and cereals.

The low purine foods such as breads and cereals (white flour, low-fiber or refined grain types), peanut, nuts and butter are most recommended in gout. The most recommended diet for gout includes vegetables that are low in purines such as cabbage, parsley and kale along with green leafy vegetables, low-fat cheese, fresh fruit juices, fresh cherries, blueberries and strawberries, celery, tea, sugar, gelatin and carbonated beverages, foods high in bromelain such as pineapple, and the foods rich in vitamin C including mandarin, red cabbage, oranges and red bell peppers.

Gout patients should drink 2-3 liters of fluid everyday in order to avoid dehydration. Adequate intake of fluids helps dilute the urinary uric acid. They should follow low-fat diet, which is also helpful in reducing the weight. Maintaining a healthy body weight is very important for gout patients, because excess weight causes more stress on the joints and increases the risk of gout.

Follow a well-balanced diet for gout and protect your joints. These healthy eating habits are also good for the sake of overall health. After all, healthy diet is a key to healthy living.