Before the 20th century, gout was known as a rich person's disease. That's because only the wealthy were able to afford abundant red meats and alcohol, both of which are contributors to gout formation. We now know this painful condition can have a variety of causes. It can be treated with medications and diet modification. Eating foods that are known to inhibit the process of gout formation is a primary way to prevent this condition from occurring.
About Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that results when the body cannot excrete uric acid effectively. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases says gout can be caused by any number of factors such as obesity, some diseases, genetics, diet, certain medicines and alcohol consumption. Those who eat foods high in purines are at higher risk for developing gout. Gout is usually occurs in episodes, and is felt as severe pain in the joints of the ankle, feet and toes, primarily during walking.
Gout Formation
Uric acid is naturally released into the blood as waste material when chemicals called purines are broken down. Purines occur naturally in a wide variety of foods. Normally, the kidneys are able to excrete uric acid as needed. However, in some conditions the excretion process is hampered. The result can be uric acid build up in the blood stream. As serum uric acid accumulates, it begins to concentrate in the joints, particularly in the lower limbs. As concentrations continue to rise, the uric acid comes out of solution and crystallizes into spiny mineralizations inside the joint. These crystallizations produce the pain and discomfort of gout. A good way to avoid accumulation of uric acid is to limit eating foods rich in purines.
Foods to Eat
Certain foods are low in purine content and therefore yield lower uric acid concentrations. This can reduce the risk of getting gout. The Gout and Uric Acid Education Society recommends eating plenty of fresh vegetables, low fat or fat free dairy products such as cheeses including cottage cheese and milk. Whole grain foods such as wheat bread and whole grain rice and pastas are also good choices. Turkey, chicken salmon, tuna and nuts also will be low in uric acid production. Many colorful fruits such as oranges and bananas are also good choices.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods are known to be high in purine content and should be strictly avoided. These include red meats and shellfish, especially lobster, scallops, clams and shrimp. Sardines also should be avoided. Other foods are low in purines but are associated with gout formation and should also be avoided. These are foods with high fructose and sucrose content. They generally include processed baked goods like cookies and cakes, granola bars, sugared soft drinks, punch and fruit juices. High fructose fruits such as prunes, pears, grapes, plums and peaches should also be avoided. Alcohol, especially beer and hard liquor, also should be strictly avoided because alcohol impedes uric acid excretion.
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