Foods That Help You Avoid Gout

Gout can cause severe pain and disability and is considered one of the over 100 types of arthritis affecting Americans. Gout is caused by excess uric acid deposits in the body's small joints, especially those of the feet. Certain foods contain chemicals that may prevent uric acid from crystallizing and depositing in the joints, curtailing a gout attack. Speak to your health practitioner before using foods to treat gout or other serious disease.

Purines

Purines are the byproduct of protein breakdown and they themselves are further broken down into uric acid. When you eat purine-rich foods, you may become more prone to developing frequent gout attacks. Choose foods like fish, low-fat dairy and legumes in place of meats and poultry, high-fat dairy foods, shellfish or organ meats. Foods lower in purines and animal fats are less likely to cause gout attacks.

Carbohydrates and Fiber

To supply your carbohydrate needs, eat foods high in fiber and whole grains that are unrefined. Refined flours provide empty calories and may be the root cause of some gout cases. Refined wheat, in particular, is high in gluten, a known food allergen that is linked to several types of arthritis and digestive diseases. Choose whole grains like brown rice, buckwheat groats and amaranth. Add root vegetables like sweet potatoes and plantains to your diet for high fiber fuel.

High Potassium Foods

Potassium is used by the kidneys to maintain efficient function. Additionally, it helps to alkalize the body by contributing to a change in pH, writes Theodore Baroody in "Alkalize or Die." He adds that foods high in potassium may affect the solubility of uric acid, keeping it in suspension, rather then its forming crystals that end up in joints. High potassium foods include bananas, cantaloupe, cherries, halibut, salmon, avocados, dried apricots, carrot and prune juices, almonds, legumes and broccoli. Incorporate these foods into your daily meal plan to benefit from that extra potassium and potentially reduce acute gout attacks.

Alkaline-Forming Foods

When the body's pH is slightly alkaline, uric acid remains in the bloodstream and is excreted through the kidneys rather than building up and depositing in the joints causing gout. Eat foods that are alkaline-forming or that have an alkaline pH to reduce acidosis and promote healthier uric acid levels, according to Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young in "The pH Miracle." Some of the recommended foods are apple cider vinegar, ginger, lemons, bananas, berries, parsley and alfalfa sprouts. Most raw fruits and vegetables also fall into this category.