Gout is a painful form of arthritis that commonly affects joints in the feet and particularly the big toe. Frequently occurring in the middle of the night, gout is most painful during the first 24 hours and commonly caused by increased levels of uric formed during the break down of high-purine foods. Restricting these foods can often help reduce gout attacks.
Function
When the body processes foods that are high in purines, it releases a waste product called uric acid. Under normal conditions, uric acid leaves the body through the kidneys, but if you are consuming large amounts of high-purine foods, uric acid remains in the body forming painful sharp crystals in the joints.
Foods to Avoid
Limit high-purine foods such as meat, fish and poultry to 4 to 6 oz. each day or avoid them completely. In addition, refrain from eating organ meats such as liver, brains and kidneys, which are also high in purine. Most vegetables are safe to eat, but limit mushrooms and asparagus, which are high-purine foods.
Foods to Eat
Include up to 24 oz. of low-fat and fat-free dairy products in your diet each day, such as yogurt and milk. These can reduce your risk of gout. Consume tofu and nut butters, which are low in purines and drink 8 to 16 cups of fluid each day to help flush out uric acid. In addition, try to consume at least half of your fluid intake as water.
Prevention
If you experience multiple or painful attacks of gout your doctor may recommend preventative medication to decrease further attacks. Low-dose colchicine, allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid and low-dose nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs can be useful for some people. Alternative treatments, such as drinking regular or decaffeinated coffee, has shown to decrease levels of uric acid, although evidence is not convincing enough to support coffee intake for non-coffee drinkers. The use of vitamin C has also shown to reduce uric acid in some people, although there is no research to support vitamin C as a treatment for gout, notes MayoClinic.com. In addition, cherries and other dark-colored fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, purple grapes and raspberries, may lower levels of uric acid.
Warnings
Avoid consuming alcohol ,especially beer, which increases gout attacks. Discuss alternative treatment methods and changes to your diet with your doctor before trying them.
