Your body produces uric acid during digestion, but too much uric acid building up in your joints can cause a form of arthritis called gout. Along with other dietary modifications, reducing your intake of purines and increasing your fiber intake may relieve painful symptoms. If you have joint pain or any health concerns, consult your doctor for the best advice.
Diet Overview
Your body produces uric acid by metabolizing purines from the food you eat, and a low-purine diet may prevent the painful gout attacks by reducing uric acid production. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that dietary fiber may reduce your risk for gout attacks, and other benefits of a high-fiber diet include a lower risk for constipation, lower levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in your blood and better control of your blood sugar levels.
Foods to Limit
All animal proteins are sources of purines, and high-fat sources are more likely to lead to gout, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Liver, beef, goose, sweetbreads, anchovies, mackerel and mussels are highest in purines, and other poultry, seafood and meats are also sources. Vegetarian sources of purines to limit include yeast, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms and legumes, including beans, peas and lentils. Also avoid trans fats from fried foods and partially hydrogenated oils in processed foods, such as snack cakes and crackers.
Foods to Emphasize
A low-purine, high-fiber diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, you can include bell peppers, squash, cherries, tomatoes and blueberries because of their high antioxidant content. Choose psyllium seed and whole grains, such as oats, barley, brown rice and bran, instead of refined white bread, white pasta and added sugars. An omega-3 supplement may lower inflammation and the risk for gout symptoms. Reduced-fat dairy products, such as fat-free milk or yogurt, may lower your risk for gout, according to MayoClinic.com.
Other Information
A low-purine, high-fiber diet should provide the right number of calories for you to maintain a healthy weight, or lose weight if you are overweight, because obesity increases your risk for excess uric acid production, notes MayoClinic.com. Aim for a moderate rate of weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. per week and do not fast because rapid weight loss can cause bouts of gout. Alcoholic beverages and oxalates, such as from chocolate, spinach and rhubarb, can exacerbate symptoms.
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