Gout is a form of arthritis, or inflammation of your joints. It occurs when uric acid levels in your body are too high. The extra uric acid causes uric acid crystals to form in the body, which causes you to experience inflammation and difficulty performing everyday tasks. Because gout can be the result of excess uric acid, reducing this mineral in your daily diet could help to lessen your symptoms.
Significance
Uric acid is created from foods high in purines, which tend to be foods high in protein. If you eat a lot of meats like beef, pork and lamb, you are 40 percent more likely to experience gout than those who eat low levels, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. When you take in purines, your body breaks them down and releases uric acid. Most of the time, this is not problematic because your kidneys filter and secrete uric acid. However, if you have impaired kidney function or your kidneys do not filter uric acid well, you are more likely to have gout.
Foods With Purines
If you have been diagnosed with gouty arthritis, your physician may recommend eating as few high-purine foods as possible. This includes avoiding anchovies, organ meats, game meats, yeast, meat extracts, herring, mackerel and scallops. Some vegetables and grains also can have moderate amounts of purines, including whole-grain bread products. This includes asparagus, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach, legumes, oatmeal, eggs and cereal. While you should not cut these out of your diet entirely, eat them in moderation instead of frequently.
Low-Purine Foods
Refined grains, like white bread and white rice, are low in purines and you can eat them every day. In place of high-purine meat sources, choose plant-based proteins, like peanut butter and nuts. Oily fish, including salmon, help to reduce inflammation, which can lessen your arthritis-type symptoms, including swelling, redness and pain. Foods like cherries and strawberries may help reduce inflammation and the incidence of uric acid in your body. You also can eat plenty of vegetables not mentioned on the moderate-purine foods list.
Water
Another helpful step in reducing the incidence of uric acid crystals is to increase your fluid intake. Extra fluid can help to dilute the uric acid in your body and help to flush the crystals out of your body. Make an effort to drink more water each day. One method to tell you have consumed enough water is if your urine is clear and not cloudy. Avoid alcohol, especially beer, which has a high purine content.
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