Diet for People with Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis which can turn out to be rather painful. A lot of extensive research has concluded that the reason for the occurrence of gout is most often, the person's diet. What happens is, our body produces purines, which are broken down and result in the production of uric acid within our body. However, our internal production of purine is not the only supply of them in our body. We also intake purines by way of the various foods that we eat. The more the purine, the more the uric acid is produced to break them down. Sometimes, the levels of uric acid may increase drastically. When this happens, the uric acid assumes a crystallized form and begins to get deposited at the joints in the body. This deposition of uric acid can turn out to be really painful and cause a lot of discomfort. And because the diet plays a very important role in the production of gout, it is only natural to make modifications in the diet in order to control the intake of such foods. This Buzzle article will give help you with some of the food that can be eaten and avoided by people with gout.

Foods to Eat

There are certain foods that help a person suffering from gout to control the intake of the purines. These foods are well tolerated by the body and do not increase the production of uric acid to a great extent. They have been mentioned below.

• Complex Carbohydrates: Foods that contain high levels of complex carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, cereals, cereal products, etc. are healthy options that people suffering from gout can include in their diet.
• Low-Fat: Foods that have a low quantity of fat in them are also favorable for people with gout. They help to reduce the risk of the occurrence of gout. You can eat low fat dairy products and drink low fat skim milk.
• Plant Proteins: For a person suffering from gout, the intake of proteins in the form of plants, rather than animal meat is advised. Hence, the consumption of beans, peas, legumes, mushrooms, etc. are encouraged. In addition to this, the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is always a plus point.
• Fluids: Fluids are always a necessary and often ignored constituent of any person's diet. If you suffer from gout, make it a point to consume a lot of fluids in the form of juices, etc. Also, make sure you drink more than enough water on a daily basis. Fluids help greatly in removing the uric acid from the body.

Foods to Avoid

There are also some foods that cause gout and some which can worsen the condition. So, it's better that they're avoided or at least their consumption is reduced. Here are some of them.

• Animal Protein: It has been observed that the level of uric acid in the body increases to a great extent due to the consumption of animal meats, especially organ meat. Hence it is better to avoid organ meat like liver, brain, kidney, meat extracts etc. Also, reducing the intake of poultry and other kinds of red meat will help in the reduction of the uric acid. If you cannot completely exclude them from your diet, then consume them after boiling or steaming them. Avoid frying them as gout conditions can worsen with fried foods.
• Alcohol: The consumption of excess alcohol has also been known to increase the occurrence and intensify the symptoms of gout. Hence, avoiding alcohol is the best option.
• Fish: Some fish and seafood are also known to alleviate the discomfort caused by gout. Fish like mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, etc. are ones you should avoid. Also, other seafood like shrimp, lobster, oysters, scallops, calamari, caviar, etc. are best avoided.
• Simple Carbohydrates: For a person suffering from gout, the intake of simple carbohydrates, i.e., in the form of sugar and sweets should be reduced or entirely avoided. So, stay away from excess sugar.

That was just an overview of foods that should be included and the ones that should be avoided in a diet for people with gout. You can also go through these gout diet foods to know what are the other foods that you can safely eat. Remember to consult your physician before going on any kind of diet. Eat healthy and stay healthy.