Wednesday, March 27, 2024

What Foods To Help With Gout

Beans And Legumes Are Not High

Gout and Diet

In my other post called What are the Worst Foods to Eat for Gout, I did not consider beans, legumes and vegetables are high risk because of two reasons. Here are the reasons why.

First, they typically contain two to three times less purines than other foods considered to be high-risk for gout. The other reason is that research has proven that vegetable-based purines do not increase uric acid levels as much as animal-based purines.

These alkaline-forming foods make it easier for you body to remove uric acid because they are loaded with fiber and antioxidants, which makes it easier to remove uric acid. This lowers their overall risk to cause gout.

Now, if you are overloading with four or more cups of beans a day, and on a poor diet, then you will likely experience some gout symptoms.

Alcohol Is The Biggest Risk Factor For Gout

It is well-established that frequent alcohol intake dramatically increases risk of gout .

The Framingham Heart Study of over 4,500 participants provides some perspective.

Researchers found that regular alcohol use was associated with three times greater risk of gout in women compared to those who have less than 2 standard drinks per week. For men, regular drinkers had double the risk of non-drinkers .

Beer seems to be the worst, followed by hard liquors such as spirits. Interestingly, moderate wine consumption is not linked with any risk .

The reason why alcohol increases uric acid levels is still not well-understood. Some forms, particularly beer, can be high in purines but they are certainly not the richest source of purines in our diet.

Additional theories propose that excessive alcohol may also reduce the bodys ability to excrete uric acid. Others state that alcohol especially beer increases the chemical breakdown of purine-containing ATP nucleotides, which is a precursor of uric acid production .

Summary: Regular alcohol intake severely raises uric acid levels in the blood. It doubles, if not triples your risk of gout.

Frequent Consumption Of Certain Fruits May Trigger Recurrent Gout Attacks

High sugar drinks may not be the only stimulant of gout flare ups.

Certain fruits which are a natural source of fructose have also been linked with gout.

This is a highly contentious area, because several studies have linked higher fruit intake with less incidence of gout. This is probably due to their high fibre content .

And unlike fruit juice and other sugar-sweetened drinks, whole fruits are nutritious and generally good for health. There is no disputing this.

However, if you continually have gout attacks despite cutting out alcohol and sugar-sweetened drinks then Im not convinced a large amount of fruits are safe for you. Especially if you are overweight and eat a Western diet.

So cutting back on certain very high-fructose fruits is like a Plan D, if you will.

The link comes back to fructose, which stimulates uric acid production in a similar manner to alcohol. Fructose is naturally found in fruit and honey.

One study found that the consumption of apples or oranges the most popular fruits in this study was linked with an increased risk of gout compared to those who consume less than one serving of fruit per month. No link was found with other fruits however .

While most fruits are very low in fructose, a few are very high. Frequent consumption of these could theoretically causes problems for gout sufferers.

Foods Highest in Fructose per 200 Calories :

Note this list is ranked on a per calorie basis, not per serving.

Read Also: Is Onion Bad For Gout

Dietary Changes To Improve Gout Symptoms

As gout is associated with diet, here are my top foods to avoid or minimize:

Foods to avoid or minimize:

  • Purine-rich foods including: beef, goose, organ meats, sweetbreads, mussels, anchovies, herring, mackerel, yeast, spinach, asparagus, beans, lentils, mushrooms and dried peas. 00099-2/fulltext” rel=”nofollow”> 18)
  • Oxalate-rich foods including: spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, black tea, wheat bran, strawberries and beans.
  • Common allergens including dairy, wheat , corn, and food additives.
  • Refined foods including white breads, pastas and sugars.

Foods to eat and enjoy:

  • High fiber foods including: barley, bran, rye, brown rice, avocados, potatoes and bananas.
  • Vitamin C-rich foods including: oranges, red and green bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, guava, kiwi and Brussels sprouts.
  • Magnesium-rich foodsincluding: pumpkin seeds, yogurt or kefir, almonds, avocados, figs, artichokes, cashews and wild-caught salmon.
  • Cherries and unsweetened cherry juice. Try my recipe for cherry limeade.
  • Omega-3 rich foodslike wild-caught salmon and tuna, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, natto and grass-fed dairy.

What Is Uric Acid

Gout: 10 Foods That Help Gout

Uric acid is a waste byproduct of purine breakdown in the body. Purines are naturally produced in the body, as well as found in some foods. As purines are broken down, uric acid is created. Normally uric acid is either reabsorbed in the body or excreted via the urine and feces.

When there are more purines in the body than it can process, uric acid builds up in the bloodstream. This is called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia can cause gout and/or kidney stones in some people, while others have no signs or symptoms at all.

Verywell / Alexandra Gordon

Treatment for gout often includes medications, diet modification, and lifestyle changes, such as managing weight and quitting smoking. The foods you eat can have a direct impact on gout flares.

During a gout attack, modifying your diet may help decrease the length of the flare. Continuing to follow a gout-friendly diet, specifically a low-purine diet, may help prevent the risk of future gout attacks up to five fold.

Don’t Miss: Almond And Gout

How Can I Manage My Gout And Improve My Quality Of Life

Gout affects many aspects of daily living, including work and leisure activities. Fortunately, there are many low-cost self-management strategies that are proven to improve the quality of life of people with gout.

For gout in particular:

  • Eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods that may trigger a gout flare, including foods high in purines , and limit alcohol intake .

CDCs Arthritis Program recommends five self-management strategies for managing arthritis and its symptoms. These can help with gout as well.

  • Talk to your doctor. You can play an active role in controlling your arthritis by attending regular appointments with your health care provider and following your recommended treatment plan. This is especially important if you also have other chronic conditions, like diabetes or heart disease.
  • Lose weight. For people who are overweight or obese, losing weight reduces pressure on joints, particularly weight bearing joints like the hips and knees. Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight can relieve pain, improve function, and slow the progression of arthritis.
  • Protect your joints. Joint injuries can cause or worsen arthritis. Choose activities that are easy on the joints like walking, bicycling, and swimming. These low-impact activities have a low risk of injury and do not twist or put too much stress on the joints. Learn more about how to exercise safely with arthritis.
  • Acidic/alkaline Is Different From Acidifying/alkalizing

    There is a big difference between the pH level and the PRAL score of food. THE pH level is determined before the food is eaten.

    The PRAL score determines whether something is acidifying or alkalizing . It is after food metabolized by the body. PRAL stands for Potential Renal Acid Load and it applies to a totally different scale and parameters.

    For example, lemon juice before you eat it is acidic from its citric acid. Its pH is about 2. Once you digest it, its byproducts are actually alkaline. So, lemon juice would be considered alkalizing food, where its PRAL score is about -2.9.

    Foods with a PRAL score under0 are considered ALKALIZING.

    Examples: pineapples at -21.0, potatoes at -4.0, lemon juice at -2.9.

    Foods with a PRAL score over 0 are considered ACIDIFYING.

    Examples: beef at +8.7, trout at +10.8, sour cream is +19.2.

    General Food Groups based on PRAL:

    • Alkaline:Fruits, nuts, legumes, herbs, spices, and vegetables
    • Neutral: Natural fats, starches, and sugars
    • Acidic: Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains, and alcohol

    List of Common ALKALIZING Foods:

    Note: Most herbs and spices are the highest alkaline-forming foods according the the USDA PRAL List.

    List of Common ACIDIFYING Foods:

    You May Like: How Does Allopurinol Treat Gout

    Keep Track Of Your Triggers

    Gout triggers differ from person to person. Some people can eat a steak or drink an occasional beer with no problems. Others canât tolerate a bite or a sip without a flare. So you need to learn what yourtriggers are.

    Keep a diary of what you eat for a while. That way, you can go back and see whether you can link flares with specific foods. Then youâll know what you really need to avoid.

    Along with avoiding triggers, here are other things you can do to stay healthy and prevent flares:

    • See your doctor regularly. You may need adjust your dose of gout medication over time.
    • Always have medicine on hand for flares. The faster you take it, the sooner you can control the symptoms.
    • Eat a heart-healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and plant proteins . Cut down on processed foods .
    • Get regular exercise.

    Gout Diet: 7 Foods To Eat 7 Foods To Avoid

    20 Foods For Gout: Best Foods

    Why do certain foods cause painful gout symptoms? Our bodies produce uric acid as it digests some types of foods and excess uric acid can accumulate in our joints as crystals. Healthy individuals can usually filter out much of the extra uric acid however, for those who have underlying health conditions or elderly adults whose body processes have slowed down, uric acid builds up.

    Also Check: Is Almond Milk Good For Gout

    Choose A Diet You Can Live With

    If you are overweight, losing weight can protect you from gout flare-ups. However, losing weight fast can do more harm than good for gout, as rapid weight loss can raise uric acid levels in your bloodstream. Avoid fad diets and “crash” diets. Consider consulting a dietician, who can help you choose a diet plan that works for you.

    Home Care For A Gout Flare

    If your doctor has diagnosed you with gout and given you medicine for a flare-up, take the medicine as directed when you know youâre having one. In most cases, that will probably be as soon as the first signs begin.

    Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as celecoxib, indomethacin, meloxicam, or sulindac or suggest you take over-the-counter NSAIDs, like naproxen or ibuprofen. Depending on your medical history, your doctor may prescribe steroids or other medicines to reduce inflammation, such as colchicine .

    In some cases, you already may be taking medicine like colchicine to prevent gout flare-ups. Your doctor may have also suggested:

    If you canât take allopurinol or it is not effective, your doctor may prescribe . It should be used with caution, however, because it has been linked to increased risk of death from heart disease and from other causes.

    Just because you have a flare doesn’t mean these medicines aren’t working. In the first few months that you take them, you may have an attack as your body adjusts to the drug. Your doctor will likely have given you something to take if this happens, too.

    If youâve been taking preventive gout medicine for a long time and youâre having flares for the first time in a while, call your doctor. They may talk to you about changing your dosage or your medicine.

    Recommended Reading: Is Pickle Juice Good For Gout

    Foods To Eat When You Have Gout

    Gout is a metabolic disorder that manifests as a type of extreme inflammatory arthritis. Often beginning with a sharp pain in the big toe, gout occurs when the body cannot properly process uric acid, leading to painful uric crystals accumulating in the joints.

    When you have a condition as strongly influenced by diet as gout is, it becomes easy to get caught up in what you cant eat, instead of focusing on the things you can. Purines are an organic compound associated with gout flare-ups because they cause the body to produce higher amounts of uric acid. Foods that contain purines tend to be high-fat or yeasty products. While managing your diet can help control your gout, your food choices should not be centered only around avoiding purines. You should be trying to eat proactively at the same timefinding foods that will help keep your gout in check.

    These 15 foods could help fight off gout attacks to live a happier life.

    Which Foods Should You Avoid When You Have Gout

    Cardiac

    Purines are compounds that are found in specific food and drink and they change to uric acid in the body. Most meat and seafood are high in purine and can increase uric acid levels in the body. These therefore should be limited during episodes of a gout attack and portion size should be reduced. Common examples of foods high in purine include anchovies, sardines, offal foods such as liver, kidney, sweetbreads, game, goose, minced meat, mussels, partridge, roe, scallops, herring, gravies, stock cubes and meat and yeast extracts.

    Don’t Miss: Almond Milk Gout

    How Your Diet Could Be Behind Your Gout

    It may surprise you to hear that gout is a type of arthritis. However, unlike other joint conditions that develop from cartilage degeneration, this form occurs because of high levels of uric acid in your body.

    Uric acid is a naturally occurring substance. Your body makes it when it digests purines, which come from specific foods. When you have high levels of uric acid, it builds up in your system and forms sharp crystals in your joints or surrounding tissue, causing gout symptoms.

    Nearly 50% of gout cases affect the big toe, but you can also experience problems in joints such as your wrists, fingers, heels, and knees.

    At AllCare Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. Michael V. Tran specializes in bone and soft tissue problems in the feet and ankles. Here, he explains why it could be time to rethink your diet if you have recurring gout attacks.

    What Are The Symptoms Of Gout

    Gout is a very painful condition and a typical gout attack usually develops over a two to three hour period and often resolves within two weeks. The NHS advises that you always see a doctor if you experience the symptoms of gout, which include sudden, severe pain in any joint or red, hot, swollen skin over any joint.

    Recommended Reading: Gout And Tofu

    Lifestyle Changes To Reduce The Risk Of Gout Attacks

    Lifestyle measures, such as dietary changes, can help lower levels of uric acid, the chemical that deposits in joints and causes gout. However, for most people, changes in diet alone are not enough to prevent gout. To reduce uric acid levels enough to stop attacks, medication is usually needed. Still making changes in what you eat can lead to fewer gouty flares.

    In the past, doctors often handed their patients a list of foods high in purines and instructed them not to eat those foods. By itself, that hasn’t been shown to be particularly helpful.

    More recently, experts have begun thinking about diet differently. Instead of trying to figure out which individual foods you should avoid, the focus is on following a healthy diet and trying to lose weight if you’re overweight or obese. Just losing weight can lower uric acid levels. Drinking plenty of fluids is also helpful. But limit sweetened drinks and alcohol, which can increase uric acid levels.

    In general, a healthy diet emphasizes plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Whole grains are preferred over processed grains. Intake of fat, especially saturated fat , should be reduced. Lean sources of protein, including chicken, turkey, fish, and tofu, are better choices than beef or pork.

    To learn more about the causes of gout and ways to prevent it, read All About Gout, and online guide from Harvard Medical School.

    Do You Include Enough Of These In Your Diet

    How to Treat Gout | Foods & Healthy Recipes

    Gout is sudden and severe joint pain that is accompanied by red, hot and swollen skin. It is usually a recurrent problem caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals. These are found in a variety of foods, so adjusting your diet can be a good way to reduce painful gout symptoms. Today I talk you through which foods to eat to help reduce your gout symptoms and better manage your condition.

    Louise Baillie

    Also Check: Pistachios Nuts And Gout

    Plenty Of Fruit And Vegetables

    The recommendation is five portions per day, but try to include as many as possible. Bulking out meals, such as Bolognese, casseroles and stews with vegetables can help to reduce the meat content. Fruit and vegetables contain vitamin C. Although evidence is unclear, high intakes of vitamin C may help to reduce uric acid levels in the blood. Cherries may be particularly useful to include in the diet, as they have also been found to reduce levels of uric acid in the blood.

    What Foods Should You Avoid

    If youre susceptible to sudden gout attacks, avoid the main culprits high-purine foods.

    These are foods that contain more than 200 mg of purines per 3.5 ounces .

    You should also avoid high-fructose foods, as well as moderately-high-purine foods, which contain 150200 mg of purines per 3.5 ounces. These may trigger a gout attack.

    Here are a few major high-purine foods, moderately-high-purine foods and high-fructose foods to avoid (

    • meats: These include liver, kidneys, sweetbreads and brain
    • meats: Examples include pheasant, veal and venison
    • Fish: Herring, trout, mackerel, tuna, sardines, anchovies, haddock and more
    • seafood: Scallops, crab, shrimp and roe
    • Sugary beverages: Especially fruit juices and sugary sodas
    • Added sugars: Honey, agave nectar and high-fructose corn syrup
    • Yeasts: Nutritional yeast, brewers yeast and other yeast supplements

    Additionally, refined carbs like white bread, cakes and cookies should be avoided. Although they are not high in purines or fructose, they are low in nutrients and may raise your uric acid levels (

    Summary: If you have gout, you should avoid foods like organ meats, game meats, fish and seafood, sugary beverages, refined carbs, added sugars and yeast.

    Recommended Reading: Gout And Almonds

    Popular Articles
    Related news