Foods for gout

Heather Little-White, PhD, Contributor

Traditionally referred to as 'a disease of the rich', gout is a condition in which there is a build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream.

Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines are found in some foods and beverages, such as liver, mackerel, dried beans and peas, beer and wine. Uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys, and passing out in the urine. If not passed out efficiently, the uric acid crystallises and forms deposits between the bone joints. This results in excruciating pain and burning, with the area becoming inflamed, swollen and reddish in colour. Gout commonly affects the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and feet, with the big toe as the common target.

Gout is directly related to food consumption, and some foods should be avoided for gout and arthritis sufferers. The conditions of gout are similar to arthritis. An attack or 'flare-up' can last for days or months and the more weight you carry puts you at greater risk for gout. The foods you eat and those you avoid play a key role in keeping your joints free from pain.

Foods to avoid

Seafood

Scallops and other seafood are rich in purines, so cut back on seafood during a flare-up. Keep meat and seafood to the minimum - four to six ounces daily. It is advisable to have salmon and scallops only occasionally.

Herring

Avoid herring, tuna, sardines and anchovies totally but periodically, you can have shrimp, lobster, eel, and crab.

Red meat

Purine is higher in red meat than white meat but you may have some red meat once in a while. It was the lavish intake of red meat among the rich that led to gout being associated with the rich.

Turkey

Turkey and goose are higher in purines than other types of food, so avoid them and eat chicken and duck as safer choices. The leg meat is a better choice than a chicken breast with skin. While shooting game is fun, gout-prone people should also keep their intake of wild game to a minimum. Occasionally indulge in beef and pork rather than turkey or lamb.

Liver

Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, and sweetbreads should be avoided.

Cauliflower

Asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, and mushrooms are higher in purines than other vegetables, so use them cautiously. Veggie-rich diets actually help you clear purines from the body, while the body seems to have an easier time excreting purines from vegetable sources.

Beer

Resist the temptation to drink beer, as it increases your uric-acid levels as well as makes it difficult for the body to remove the substance from the system. Wine is a better choice but when gout flares up, alcohol in any form should be avoided.

Sugary drinks

Avoid beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, such as non-diet sodas or 'fruit' drinks which contribute to weight gain, stimulating the body to produce more uric acid.

Foods to eat

You may feel frustrated when you look at what you should not eat but there are foods that you can eat to help protect you against gout. There are actually several types of foods that may help protect you against gout.

1. Eat small amounts of low-purine foods like eggs, low-fat dairy foods and nuts. Noodles, coffee, celery and fruits, especially citrus fruits and cherries.

2. Eat liberal amounts of complex carbohydrates like yams, sweet potatoes and grains.

3. Reduce intake of fats.

4. Reduce the intake of proteins, especially from meats and seafood.

Hydrate

You should also be sure to get 12 to 16 cups of fluid daily. You do not necessarily have to drink only water as you can choose non-sweetened juice, tea, and coffee. Fluids are important to keep the blood and urine flowing, literally flushing out the system. Dehydration can increase the blood uric-acid concentration and can bring on a gout attack in susceptible individuals.

Weight reduction

Keeping the ideal weight reduces serum uric-acid levels, so adopt a high-fibre, low-fat diet and manage cholesterol levels.