Foods That Reduce Uric Acid

Content

• Things You Should Avoid
• How Food Can Help Treat Gout
• Dietary Factors
• Healthy Meal Plans
• Got Gout? Eat Like This

Not exactly foods to avoid with gout, but the ingestion of some common medications sharply raise the risk of a gout attack. Somewhat contradictory to the purine-gout theory, consumption of purine-rich vegetables is not associated with an increased risk of gout . Each additional daily serving of meat or seafood is associated with a 21% or 7% increased risk of gout, respectively . Uric acid is a substance formed when our bodies break down purines. Purines are naturally found in all the cells of the body and in certain foods.

Things You Should Avoid

It’s also important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water during the day, which can help promote the excretion of uric acid through the urine to prevent it from building up in the body. Be sure to always keep a glass of water on hand or try setting a timer with reminders to drink more water throughout the day. Most of the time, a high uric acid level occurs when your kidneys don’t eliminate uric acid efficiently. Things that may cause this slow-down in the removal of uric acid include rich foods, being overweight, having diabetes, taking certain diuretics and drinking too much alcohol.

A gout diet menu is also sometimes recommended for those with kidney stones caused by the build-up of uric acid. Nuts can be high in fat, but they don’t have the same high purine level as animal-based fatty foods. Most vegetables are low in purine, and are great options for anyone at risk of gout or a gout attack.

How Food Can Help Treat Gout

Foods high in fructose, which is a type of simple sugar, should also be limited. Fructose is broken down into purine, which can increase levels of uric acid in the body. Although fructose is found naturally in fruits, these foods are also high in fiber, vitamins and minerals that can offset any negative effects. We’ve seen that vitamin C may help lower uric acid levels, but many people don’t get all of the vitamins they need from diet alone. Some people add more vitamin C by drinking orange juice, but most of the fruit juice on store shelves has too much high-fructose or sucrose in it for gout patients. Losing excess weight has been proven to lower uric acid levels and decrease the risk of developing gout.

A number of different groups of people are at higher risk of developing gout. A family history of gout increases the chances of developing gout, as do certain medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis . Be sure to call your family doctor and discuss your gout symptoms. By working with your primary care physicianyou can create a plan to minimize the frequency and severity of your gout attacks.

Dietary Factors

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. In addition to establishing a list of foods to avoid with gout, there are some simple lifestyle changes that might also create dramatic improvements. Additionally, sudden spikes of caffeine, especially in people who do not regularly drink coffee, has actually been identified as a potential trigger for a gout attack. Any fruit is a good option for people struggling with gout, because they have low purine levels and high levels of complex carbohydrates.

The mechanism of action is unclear, but study authors suggest components in cherries reduce uric acid levels, or decrease the risk of gout by anti-inflammatory mechanisms. More research is needed to better understand the role of cherries in the management of hyperuricemia. There are too many sources of purines to eliminate them all from your diet. You will stay healthier overall if you eat some foods with purines. Remember that vegetable purines have never been shown to promote gout attacks, and that low-fat dairy products are protein sources that lower your risk of gout pain. People with gout can still enjoy meat in moderation, but should limit meat, fish, and poultry to 4 to 6 ounces a day.

Foods That May Trigger A Gout Attack

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Which tablet is best for uric acid?

Your doctor may recommend one of these medicines that you can't get over the counter:Allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim)reduces uric acid production.
Colchicine(Colcrys, Mitigare) reduces inflammation.
Febuxostat(Uloric) reduces uric acid production.
Indomethacin(Indocin, Tivorbex) is a stronger NSAID pain reliever.

Wine in moderation may be acceptable, but avoid drinking daily and don’t consume more than 1 to 2 glasses per sitting. Steer clear of beer and liquor, as they’re particularly harmful if you have high uric acid levels. It’s important to better balance your diet because it can help prevent both gout and gout attacks. Additionally, being overweight is a risk factor for gout, but eating a well-balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Mussels, scallops, squid, shrimp, oysters, crab and lobsters should only be eaten once in a while. You may love liver and onions, but eating it may trigger a flare. Organ meats are particularly high in purines, which can increase your uric acid levels and spur a gout attack.

All fruits are naturally low in purine, although vegetables have varying amounts of this compound. Historically, high purine vegetables -- such as asparagus, cauliflower, lentils, spinach and beans -- have been restricted in the diets of people with gout and hyperuricemia. However, recent research has shown that these vegetables do not worsen uric acid levels, nor increase the risk of gout. In addition, eating more fruits and vegetables can lead to an alkaline urine, which is known to enhance the urinary excretion of uric acid. So emphasizing fruits and vegetables may help lower uric acid levels.

What's Not Allowed On A Gout Diet?

Also, they are high in fibre content that helps in promoting the reduction of uric acid in the blood. It's important to lower uric acid levels to reduce your risk of gout and some types of kidney stones. The DASH diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products along with some fish, poultry, legumes, and nuts. It’s also low in red and processed meats and sugary drinks, which are high-purine foods that people with gout are recommended to keep to a minimum.

Healthy Meal Plans

Anti-inflammatory steroids are very different in action and side-effects as compared to male hormone steroids. Anti-inflammatory steroids have long-term risks, such as bone thinning and infection, but their risk for short-term (for example, 3-7 days) therapy is relatively low. These agents can raise blood pressure and blood sugar, so can be a problem for those with uncontrolled hypertension or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Uric acid crystals can be thought of like matches, which can sit quietly or can be ignited.