Diet For Gout Patient!

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the blood. Excess uric acid can lead to a buildup of fluid surrounding the joints, which can result in uric acid crystals. The formation of these crystals causes the joints to swell, become inflamed, and cause intense pain. The good news is that you can control gout. In addition to taking medications, dietary and lifestyle changes can help prevent painful attacks. A gout-friendly diet involves a specific plan, which is designed to avoid painful gout attacks. 

Causes of gout:
Gout develops when there is too much uric acid in the blood. This over-abundance of uric acid may be the result a diet high in purines. Or, your body may produce too much uric acid. In some cases, blood uric acid levels may remain normal, yet gout is still the correct diagnosis. This is due to the body excreting excess uric acid in the urine and inflammatory factors.

What are purines:

Purines are chemical compounds that, when metabolized, are broken down into uric acid. Purines are either made by your body, or taken into your body through foods you eat.

In a normal process, purines break down into uric acid. The uric acid is then dissolved in the blood, passed through the kidneys into the urine, and eliminated from the body.

However, this isn’t usually the case in gout. Complications occur when the kidneys don’t get rid of uric acid fast enough, or if there is an increased amount of uric acid production. These high levels build up in the blood, leading to what is known as hyperuricemia. Though not classified as a disease, hyperuricemia can be dangerous if it leads to the formation of uric acid crystals. Gout can develop when these crystals build up around the joints.

What makes a gout-friendly diet:

The goal of a gout diet is to relieve the painful swelling (inflammation), and to prevent future attacks. Depending on a variety of factors — your age, general health, medical history, and severity of the condition — treatment options will vary.

The good news is gout can be controlled. In addition to taking prescribed medications (which could include anti-inflammatory drugs, or medications to lower levels of uric acid), acute gout attacks can be managed through diet, a healthy lifestyle, weight management, and a proactive approach to signs and symptoms.

 Avoid entirely:

A gout-friendly diet will help to control uric acid levels in the body while promoting overall health. According to the american college of rheumatology, a diet that has an excessive amount of the following foods can lead to gout:

1. Seafood
2. Red meat
3. Sugary beverages
4. Alcohol

All of these foods have a high purine content. Agout diet should avoid or limit these foods:

1. Organ meats
2. Brain
3. Sweetbreads
4. Heart
5. Kidney
6. Liver
7. Beef
8. Pork
9. Lamb
10. Herring
11. Anchovies
12. Mackerel
13. Mussels
14. Smelt
15. Sardines
16. Scallops
17. Tuna
18. Yeast
19. Beer, wine, and liquor
20. Fruit juices
21. Soda

Foods to include daily:

1. Beans and lentils
2. Legumes
3. Fluids, especially water
4. Low-fat or fat-free dairy
5. Whole grains (like oats, brown rice, and barley)
6. Quinoa
7. Sweet potatoes
8. Fruits and vegetables.