| Did you know that gout is the only form of | | | | in the family. |
| arthritis that can be relieved by what you eat? | | | | Staying hydrated is a good first step in your |
| Therefore, if you have had a gout attack or gout | | | | defense against gout. By drinking at least 8 - 10 |
| runs in your family it is wise to understand which | | | | eight ounce glasses of water a day, you are |
| foods to avoid with gout to stop any of the | | | | ensuring that the uric acid in your body is diluted, |
| nasty symptoms. | | | | allowing your kidneys to efficiently deal with |
| Gout is tremendously painful and it's on the | | | | eliminating the excess via your urine. |
| increase. It used to be an affliction that made the | | | | However, to really go about lowering uric acid |
| lives of the rich a misery because of their rich | | | | levels you need to look at your diet and make |
| diet and high alcohol consumption. Nowadays, as | | | | some amendments, as there are a few foods to |
| society has got wealthier we are leaving | | | | avoid with gout. Among the worst offenders are: |
| ourselves wide open for gout due to our reliance | | | | Most meats |
| on processed foods, red meats and increased | | | | Offal |
| alcohol consumption. | | | | Meat extracts |
| Traditionally effecting men, more than women, | | | | Game meats |
| bouts of gout are increasing for both groups. | | | | Processed meat |
| Gout is caused by a condition known as | | | | Gravyyeast extracts |
| hyperuricemia. This is where there are raised | | | | Mackerel |
| levels of uric acid in the blood. Although not | | | | Sardines |
| dangerous in itself, hyperuricemia can lead to the | | | | Scallops |
| development of gout. | | | | Anchovies |
| When uric acid levels reach saturation point in the | | | | Herring |
| blood stream, small deposits are made in the | | | | Chocolate |
| spaces and connective tissues of the joints. | | | | Caffeinated beverages |
| These deposits crystallize, causing sharp, jagged | | | | Legumes ie. peas, beans & lentils |
| needles that are the reason behind the swift | | | | Asparagus |
| swelling, redness and pain characterized by a gout | | | | Mushrooms |
| attack. | | | | These foods are very high in purine and should be |
| Hyperuricemia is caused by an increase production | | | | avoided, especially during a gout flare-up. Once |
| of uric acid in the blood or the kidneys being | | | | gout symptoms are under control, small volumes |
| unable to process uric acid effectively. This can be | | | | of these foods can be eaten, however, it must |
| for hereditary reasons or by eating too many | | | | only be moderation and you will be running a risk |
| purine-rich foods, drinking alcohol heavily and | | | | of experiencing further gout attacks. |
| becoming dehydrated. | | | | The best way to manage your gout through diet |
| Purine is a natural compound found in a lot of our | | | | is to look at changing the foods you eat as a |
| food, particularly animal proteins. When ingested | | | | lifestyle choice rather than a diet. That way you |
| the body goes to work, breaking the purine down | | | | bypass the feelings of 'missing out' and your new |
| and producing uric acid as a result. Purine is found | | | | food choices become habit. |
| in high levels in processed foods and some alcohol, | | | | Although the list of foods to avoid with gout is |
| beer in particular. It stands to reason that having | | | | fairly extensive, there are plenty of other delicious |
| a diet high in animal and purine-rich foods, along | | | | foods that are okay to eat. Find out more on our |
| with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can | | | | site where you can sign up for a free newsletter. |
| lead to gout, especially if it is a condition that runs | | | | |