Gout is a form of arthritis where crystals develop in the joints due to a high uric acid count in the body. Diets that loaded with purines and protein have always been suspected of increasing a person’s risk for gout. There have been studies that seafood also is a contributing factor to gout patients. Ironically, some of the foods that are high in purines are shown to have no effect on gout in patients. Though the information is contradictory, it boils down to individualized treatment. Each gout patient will need to avoid certain foods while others may not. What follows is general information for the foods to avoid for gout patients.
One undeniable link to gout is obesity. This is because people who are overweight tend to have high levels of uric acid in the blood. The first step is to lose weight when you have gout, or are concerned about getting it.
Alcohol is a common problem with levels of uric acid. This is particularly true of people with kidney stones, and eliminating alcohol is good first step. You should definitely avoid the wine section of your local grocery store. Instead, consume about 120 ounces of water a day to help flush out those stones.
Some of the highest purine content foods to avoid for gout patients include hearts, mussels, yeast, sardines, and herring. Others that are high as well include anchovies, mutton, veal, bacon, liver, salmon, turkey, and scallops. Most game birds are high in purine content and should be avoided for gout patients as well.
Generally speaking, you will notice that many of the foods that are on the list to not eat are heart healthy. This leads to the whole argument over heart healthy or gout healthy. The heart is important and should be considered where any medical decisions are concerned. You should consult your doctor for your own individual diet plan. Ask your doctor which foods to avoid for gout, and which foods you should be okay with. They will possibly send you to a dietitian to work out the ideal solution for your situation.
