Gout Diet Overview

Gout is a form of arthritis that affects a wide range of people for varying reasons. This harmful condition occurs when there are chronically high levels of uric acid in the blood, which results in the hardening and crystallization of the uric acid in the body. Once these crystals are formed, they tend to attach at or around the joint spaces in the body, causing limitations in the affected joints, pain, swelling, and redness.

One of the primary etiologies of gout is a diet that allows for uric acid formation. While consuming foods that increase the production of uric acid is not necessarily harmful to the common adult, there is a concern when you consume these foods over a long period of time. Listed below are some important diet tips to keep in mind for anyone with gout:

Diet Tips for Every Gout Patient:

Weight Loss
One of the most important elements for anyone with gout is weight management. Carrying excess weight is a major risk factor for acquiring gout and for worsening the symptoms of gout. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of weight loss in gout patients. Even without changing the amount of foods high in purine, a reduction of weight still leads to a reduction of gout symptoms and relieves the overall stress to the affected joints. Consider losing healthy weight that consists of about one to two pounds per week and consider cutting out excess calories from your diet as well.

Limit your Protein Consumption
One of the reasons that gout has affected your joints is due to poor protein options from the diet. Typically, patients and individuals with gout tend to consume diets high in red meats, fried meats, and breaded options- all of which increase the amount of inflammation in the joints and body (which contributes to gout). Consider switching your diet to lean meats such as salmon , chicken, and even fatty fish options, for best results.

Stay Away from High Fructose Corn Syrup
It can be quite challenging to stay away from, but high fructose corn syrup is a poor choice for anyone, including patients with gout. High fructose corn syrup is a processed version of sugar that causes insulin resistance, inflammation, and adds excessive calories to the body. In addition, high fructose corn syrup can actually cause your uric acid levels to rise in your blood, which could lead to further joint damage. While sodas tend to have high amounts, be cautious and read every food label to ensure that there is no high fructose corn syrup in the ingredients.

Stay Away from Purine
When you eat something that contains purine, the body digests and breaks down the food into uric acid molecules. Through the gout process, high amounts of uric acid crystallize and become attached to the joints of the body. This would mean that anyone with gout, or at risk for gout, should immediately stop eating foods that contain purine. Therefore, exclude red meat, shellfish, mushrooms, kidney beans, and liver from your diet.

Soy
Studies have shown that your uric acid content can be elevated as high as ten percent following the consumption of soy milk, which is a major culprit of gout. If you enjoy the taste of soymilk, and cannot drink cow’s milk, then you should consider other options such as coconut milk or almond milk.

Say No to Alcohol
Yes, your doctor may have told you that a glass of alcohol daily can help to alleviate some anxiety and stress from your life. However, if you have gout, this is a beverage that is definitely not recommended. Alcohol increases the production of uric acid in the blood and is known to increase the amount of inflammation as well. If you enjoy having your glass of alcohol every day, there are other options for you to try. Grape juice is a great option for getting the antioxidants you need (wine comes from grapes) and chamomile tea can help alleviate your stress in a manner similar to wine.