Gout is a painful form of arthritis. The condition occurs when high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream forms crystals that accumulate around a joint. The body breaks down a chemical compound known as purine to produce uric acid.
Purine is a compound that naturally occurs in your body. But it is also found in certain foods such as refined carbs, some seafood, red meat, alcohol, and sugary beverages. The excess uric acid is eliminated from the body in urine. A gout diet is important to control the uric acid levels in your blood. Although a gout diet is not an effective cure for this condition, it can prevent the recurrence of gout attacks. Medication helps manage joint pains and lower the levels of uric acid in the blood. Here are some high-purine gout foods to avoid.
Overindulgence in seafood, meat, and alcohol is one of the main causes of gout. For many years, doctors advised gout patients to eliminate foods that are high in purine. The list to avoid was long. This made it difficult to follow such a diet for long. But the latest studies on the subject revealed a clearer picture of the management of the disease.
Even though you need to avoid some foods, you don't need to avoid all foods that contain purine. In fact, you need some of these foods to control the uric acid levels. The general guideline for a gout diet is almost the same as a healthy balanced diet.
Obesity increases the risk of developing gout. Maintaining your ideal weight is important to lower your risk of developing the condition. When you lower the amount of calories and lose weight, you lower the uric acid level in the bloodstream. This helps reduce the number of gout attacks.
On the other hand, weight loss can help reduce the amount of stress placed on the joints. Whole grain, fresh fruits, and vegetables are helpful to prevent the condition. You should avoid foods such as candy, white bread, cakes, foods with a higher content of fructose corn syrup, and sugary beverages to prevent gout attacks.
Drinking enough water will reduce your risk of gout attacks. Water can flush out the excess uric acid from your bloodstream. Cut back on saturated fats from fatty poultry, red meat, and high-fat dairy products.
You should always discuss the possible pros and cons of your diet plan with a qualified healthcare provider. Here are some high-purine gout foods to avoid and reduce your risk of painful gout attacks in the process:
- Scallops are rich in purine. You should consume scallops and salmon occasionally.
- Beer increases the uric acid levels in the body.
- Red meat
- Turkey and goose are high in purines.
- Sugary drinks
- Asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, and cauliflower are higher in purines compared to other vegetables.
Gout is a painful form of arthritis. High levels of uric acid in the blood forms crystals which accumulate around your joints. Steer clear of high-purine foods to prevent painful gout attacks.