Food For Gout: Recommendations And Prohibitions

People with gout who follow a diet for gout should also take medicines to control pain and reduce uric acid levels.

Eating a gout diet can help reduce uric acid levels in the blood. Food for gout does not cure the disease. However, it can reduce the risk of recurring painful gout attacks. But also slow the progression of joint damage.

People with gout who follow a diet for gout also need to take pain control medication. And reduce uric acid levels. In this article, we will introduce you to the recommendations and prohibitions aimed at improving this condition.

What is gout?

Gout is one of the most common metabolic disorders and a painful form of arthritis. It is caused by an increase in uric acid in the blood, known as hyperuricemia.

She usually has no previous symptoms. However, it can be deposited in the joints. And thus give rise to really painful inflammations which can be accompanied by fever.

Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down chemicals called purines. Purines are produced naturally in the body, but they are also found in some foods. Uric acid is excreted through the urine.

To prevent gout attacks, or at least slow down damage to the joints, certain foods can be used as a method to reduce the high levels of uric acid in the body.

Factors to consider in a gout diet

The specific diet aimed at reducing the level of uric acid in the blood should focus on controlling 3 main factors:

1. The pH of the urine : It is important to try to follow a basifying or alkalizing diet to slightly modify the urine pH and promote elimination. This is mainly achieved by:

• Promoting the consumption of basifying foods such as vegetables, potatoes, fruits, sweet potatoes, salads
• Avoiding the consumption of foods rich in salt and its addition in domestic culinary preparations
• Completely avoiding the consumption of alcohol, including beer and wine

2. Consumption of purines : it is necessary to monitor the foods that are consumed as well as their preparation. When we boil a food that contains purines, a large part of it goes into the cooking water. It is therefore a good way to reduce the purine content of food, but broths should be avoided.

3. Fructose intake : fructose, once assimilated by the body, is metabolized into xanthine, a purine which will eventually pass into uric acid. That is why we recommend that you consume only one fruit per day. And choose those that contain less fructose

Food allowed

• Protein: Consume mainly lean red meat and poultry, low-fat dairy products, and lentils as sources of protein
• Complex carbohydrates: eat more vegetables and whole grains, which provide complex carbohydrates
• Vitamin C: Some studies show that it can help reduce uric acid levels. Ask your doctor if it would be beneficial to add a 500 milligram vitamin C supplement to your diet and medications.
• Coffee: Some research suggests that moderate coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of gout. Consuming coffee may not be appropriate if you have other health concerns. Check with your doctor how much coffee you can drink
• Cherries: Cherry consumption has been shown to be associated with a lower risk of gout attacks

Food not allowed

• Organ and gland meats : Avoid meats such as liver, kidney, and sweetbread, which are high in purines and help increase uric acid levels in the blood
• Red meat: limit portion sizes of beef, lamb and pork
• Seafood: Certain types of seafood (such as anchovies, shellfish, sardines, and tuna) have a higher purine content than others. However, the overall health benefits of eating fish may outweigh the risks for people with gout.
• High-purine vegetables: Studies have shown that vegetables high in purine, such as asparagus and spinach, do not increase the risk of gout or recurring gout attacks
• Alcoholic beverages: Consumption of beer and distilled spirits is associated with an increased risk of gout and recurrent attacks. Moderate wine consumption does not appear to increase the risk of gout attacks. Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages during gout attacks and limit consumption, especially beer
• Sugary foods and drinks: Limit or avoid sugary foods, such as sugary cereals, baked goods, and sweets. Limit the intake of naturally sweetened fruit juices

Finally…

Eating a gout diet can help limit uric acid production and increase uric acid elimination. It is not enough to follow a diet to lower the level of uric acid in the blood in order to treat gout without drugs. Indeed, diet can help reduce the number of seizures and moderate their severity.