Best Diet For Gout

Content

• What Is Gout And What Causes It?
• Tip #1: Cut Back On Seafood
• What Foods Can I Include?

Gout is an inflammatory disease where uric acid precipitates into crystals that deposit in various joints around the body, causing pain and inflammation. This video describes the pathophysiology, causes, symptoms, and treatment of gout. Knowing if you're at a higher than average risk of gout is the first step to knowing if a low-purine diet is right for you.

Pineapple has bromelain, an enzyme that reduces inflammation and pain, Dr. Wei says. Eating a half-cup per day can help when gout pain ratchets up. For some, foods like liver pâté and calves’ sweetbreads are delicacies.

What Is Gout And What Causes It?

There is also evidence to suggest that a high consumption of low-fat dairy products , limiting sugary drinks and having a daily vitamin C supplement of 500mg may reduce the risk of gout. Speak to your GP before starting new supplements or altering your diet to manage gout. Lifestyle measures, such as dietary changes, can help lower levels of uric acid, the chemical that deposits in joints and causes gout. However, for most people, changes in diet alone are not enough to prevent gout. To reduce uric acid levels enough to stop attacks, medication is usually needed. Still making changes in what you eat can lead to fewer gouty flares.

Maiuolo J., Oppedisano F., Gratteri S., Muscoli C., Mollace V. Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion. Turner-McGrievy G., Mandes T., Crimarco A. A plant-based diet for overweight and obesity prevention and treatment. Comparison of serum UA concentrations in vegetarians and nonvegetarians in cross-sectional studies. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Tip #1: Cut Back On Seafood

These foods can become even more risky when consumed in large portions. Therefore, consuming less purine-rich foods should lower uric acid levels in your blood, lowering gout risk. Fish, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, is part of a healthy diet. People with gout don't have to steer completely clear of fish. But try to limit the amount of shellfish, sardines, and anchovies you eat, because they have the highest amounts of purines. A better choice is flaky white fish, such as cod, tilapia, or flounder.

Gout is an arthritic condition that can cause sudden, severe joint pain. If you are experiencing symptoms of gout, the NHS recommends that you see a doctor for treatment during an attack and to help prevent further attacks. Gout may make your life uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to become unmanageable. By monitoring your diet and making good food choices you can try your best to avoid flare-ups and joint pain.

Slow and steady weight loss is ideal and support from a dietitian should be sought to help develop a sustainable and balanced weight loss plan. Rapid weight loss is not recommended as it can increase the amount of uric acid in the body leading to an increased chance of a gout attack. Full-fat dairy products like heavy cream and whole milk are discouraged for people with gout. However, some studies suggest incorporating dairy products like cheese and yogurt that are low in fat, into your diet may actually reduce your risk of gout. The best option then, is to choose dairy products that are low in fat.

But they’re bad news for gout sufferers because they’re loaded with purines. Uric acid is also formed from purines, compounds in certain foods, especially organ meats. Not everyone needs to follow a rigid diet to treat gout, but avoiding foods that are high in purines may help.

Purine content of some selected plant-based foods is represented in Table 2. UA may provide up to 55% of the free-radical scavenging antioxidant capacity in human plasma, making it one of the major antioxidants in humans . The association of UA with health risks is biphasic since low levels of UA are detrimental to neurons, due to impaired antioxidant capacity in the cell . A large cohort study found a U-shaped association between serum UA levels and all-cause mortality; levels between 300 and 410 µmol/L were associated with the lowest mortality .

Is chocolate bad for gout?

Chocolate can lower uric acid crystallization, according to a 2018 study . Lowering uric acid crystallization can be key to controlling your gout. Chocolate has polyphenols associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Inflammation reduction is helpful in providing relief from a gout attack.

Frequent alcohol intake is known to cause chronic hyperuricemia, increasing the risk of gout and gout attacks. Among people with gout, acute purine intake increased the risk of recurrent gout attacks nearly fivefold, according to a 2014 study. Maintaining a balanced diet, low in uric acid, is critical for lowering the risk of a gout attack. Learn which foods and beverages you should eat and which ones to avoid. A few other lifestyle changes that can help prevent gout attacks include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, staying hydrated, drinking less alcohol and possibly taking vitamin C supplements.