Gout is a type of arthritis that causes severe attacks of pain, tenderness and redness in the joints. It occurs when high levels of uric acid in the blood accumulate and cause urate crystals to form around the joints. High levels of uric acid can be caused by your body's inability to excrete uric acid through the kidneys properly or by eating foods that are high in purines -- a natural heterocyclic compound found in some foods -- whose breakdown results in uric acid. Either way, it results in pain and discomfort. It is important, thus, to know what you can eat and what you should avoid to help relieve your symptoms and prevent them from reoccurring.
Causes
Gout is caused when the levels of uric acid in your blood are too high. High levels of uric acid in the bloodstream result in the formation of urate crystals that are sharp and needle-like, which begin to form around the joints causing pain, inflammation and swelling. Uric acid is produced in the body when purines, which are natural heterocyclic compounds found in some foods, are broken down and metabolize. It is important, then, to avoid eating foods that are high in purines.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gout are usually acute. They include intense joint pain, usually affecting the feet, ankles, knees, hands and writs. Other symptoms include inflammation, redness, swelling and tenderness. In some cases joints may become deformed as nodules may form around the joints as well.
Treatments
Your physician may prescribe medications to help treat acute gout attacks and prevent them from reoccurring and to prevent complications such as the formation of nodules. These medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDS, which may decrease inflammation and pain; cholchicine, which has been shown to reduce pain in gout patients; and corticosteroids, which also reduce inflammation. In addition, your physician will probably recommend that you begin to follow a low-purine diet to reduce the amount of uric acid in your blood and prevent it from rising. This will help reduce any present symptoms and prevent them from exacerbating.
Low- and Moderate-Purine Foods
The American Dietetic Association recommends that you eat a variety of foods that have low or moderate levels of purine. Breads, pasta, rice, cakes, cornbread and oatmeal -- no more than 2/3 cup daily -- are low in purines and can be enjoyed throughout the day. Other foods that are low in purines include fruits, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meat and poultry. Crab, lobster, oysters and shrimp have moderate amounts of purines and should be limited to 1 serving per day. Dried beans, peas and lentils --up to 1 cup per day-- meatless soups and most vegetables can also be eaten freely. However, certain vegetables, including asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and green peas, should be limited to no more than 1/2 cup per day.
High-Purine Foods
Foods and beverages that are high in purines should be avoided or limited. Beer and other alcohol should be completely avoided as they cause uric acid levels in the blood to rise. Also, limit your take of foods that include anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, tuna, codfish, scallops, trout and haddock. Bacon and organ meats, including liver or kidneys, should also be avoided if possible or highly limited.
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