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GOUT

FOODS THAT HARM

  • Organ meats
  • Game meats
  • Anchovies
  • Sardines
  • Herring

    FOODS THAT HEAL

  • Water
  • Fruit juice
  • Herbal teas
  • Vegetable broth
  • Soy

    FOODS TO LIMIT

  • Cauliflower
  • Asparagus
  • Dried beans and peas
  • Oats
  • Whole grain cereals
  • Wheat germ and wheat bran
  • Mushrooms
  • Poultry
  • Alcohol

    WHO’S AFFECTED

  • Between 2 and % of North Americans
  • More men than women are affected, but prevalence increases with age for both groups, especially for women after menopause
  • Those who have a family history
  • Those who are overweight, drink too much alcohol, or eat too many foods rich in purines
  • Those who have had an organ transplant
    Marked by swelling, inflammation, and excruciating tenderness in the joints, gout most commonly affects the joints at the base of the big toe, other foot joints, knees, ankles, wrists, and fingers
    The slightest touch—even that of a bedsheet—may be unbearably painful during an attack of gout

    QUICK TIP:

    Avoid overheating
    Recent research has found that external heat, such as warm summer days, may play a role in triggering gout attacks
    So stay cool to stay pain-free
    Long known as “the disease of kings” or “rich man’s disease,” gout has been associated with overindulgence and high living, as well as obesity
    But in actuality, gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by an inherited defect in the kidney’s ability to excrete uric acid

    Nutrition Connection

    To reinforce the beneficial effect of drug treatment, people with gout should make dietary changes to help reduce their production of uric acid
    The following are general guidelines: Avoid foods that are high in purines
    Foods with a high content of naturally occurring chemicals called purines promote overproduction of uric acid in people with a tendency for gout
    Steer clear of high-purine foods such as anchovies, sardines, liver, kidney, brains, herring, mackerel, scallops, and game
    Limit foods with a moderate level of purines
    Such foods include whole grain cereals, wheat germ and wheat bran, oatmeal, dried beans and peas, nuts, asparagus, cauliflower, and mushrooms
    These may be taken in moderation
    Limit your intake of meat, fish and poultry
    Because meat products are high in purines, you’ll need to more closely monitor the amount of these foods you eat
    About 4 to 6 oz (113 to 170 g) is recommended per day
    Eat more plant-based proteins
    Add more plant-based sources of protein such as soy
    These foods contain the essential protein you need without the purines contained in meat products
    Consume plenty of liquids
    Try to drink at least 2 qt (2 L) a day to dilute urine and prevent kidney stone formation
    Limit or avoid alcohol
    Any alcohol can interfere with the elimination of uric acid
    Gout sufferers should drink only distilled alcohols in small amounts
    Avoid low-carb diets
    High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets should be avoided since these diets encourage the formation of ketones, metabolic by-products that hamper the body’s ability to excrete uric acid
    Lose weight gradually
    Although losing weight—especially fat around the abdomen—often prevents future gout attacks, weight loss should be gradual because a rapid reduction can raise blood levels of uric acid and provoke gout
    People with gout should avoid skipping meals; fasting also increases the blood levels of uric acid

    Beyond the Diet

    Colchicine, a drug derived from the autumn crocus flower, is one of the most effective gout medications, but it can also cause severe nausea and diarrhea
    Follow these suggestions to keep gout under control: Possibly modify your drug therapy
    Sometimes gout is brought on by using aspirin or diuretics for high blood pressure
    These medicines may interfere with normal kidney function and the elimination of uric acid
    Address other health issues
    Gout sufferers also may have hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol
    Talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage your unique situation