Diet And Natural Supplements For Acute Gout

If you suffer from gout, the importance of your diet cannot be underestimated, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although there are several factors that contribute to developing gout, certain foods and obesity are two primary causes for this extremely painful form of arthritis. Changing your diet and using natural supplements may help control your condition and lessen pain.

Purines

Purines are a byproduct of protein breakdown and are themselves broken down into uric acid, the source of gout. Foods containing high amounts of purines as they breakdown should be eliminated from the diet, suggests University of Michigan Health System. These foods include all red meat, shellfish, organ meat, poultry, certain legumes like lentils and several vegetables like asparagus, mushrooms and spinach. You can reintroduce these foods into your diet slowly, one-at-time and observe how you react. If you have a gout attack within several days of eating a particular food, it should be eliminated.

Low-Purine Foods

Replace the eliminated high-purine foods in your diet with other proteins like soy products, low fat dairy products, and legumes, lean poultry if you can tolerate it, and fish, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC. Fish is an especially good protein to eat because it provides other nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, which have also shown efficacy in reducing joint pain and inflammation, according to UMMC.

Healthy Fats

Along with the healthy fats found in fish, UMMC recommends consuming olives and olive oil, avocados and flaxseed to provide your body with the necessary nutrition from fats.

Alkaline Foods

Alkaline foods help neutralize acidosis, a condition that forms when to much uric acid builds up in the blood stream and urine, writes Dr. Theodore Baroody in "Alkalize or Die." During acidosis, uric acid forms into crystals and is cannot be excreted during urination. The crystals may deposit in your kidneys, forming urate kidney stones and in your joints, creating gout. Alkaline foods help the body by preventing the formation of acidosis. Alfalfa sprouts and parsley are especially helpful in preventing acidosis and can be added to dishes as a garnish or eaten on their own as part of a recipe. You should always eat these raw to obtain the greatest benefit.

Vitamin C

Add vitamin C as dietary supplement to help reduce symptoms of gout, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Eat foods high in vitamin C like citrus fruits, red peppers and leafy green vegetables. In addition, you can use vitamin C in powdered or tablet form to include additional amounts in your diet. Start with a moderate dose of 500 mg and build up to taking 4,000 mg to 8,000 mg, writes the University of Michigan Health System. Because vitamin C may trigger a gout attack, use caution when first starting this treatment. If you have an acute gout attack, lower the dose, but continue to take it until you experience relief. Vitamin C in high doses may cause diarrhea. If this occurs, reduce the dose until you find the amount that you can consume that does not create loose stools. Consult with a health practitioner if you have problems or symptoms persist.