| Gout is a condition that affects millions of Americans | | | | present in poultry), best keep it to a low minimum - |
| and as yet, there is no single cure. It can be treated, | | | | not more than 6 oz. per day. As an alternative, tofu |
| however but may occur from time to time, | | | | may be a better choice, since soybeans is a good |
| depending on the individual's exposure to risk factors. | | | | source of protein and does not contain purine. |
| One of these factors affecting gout is diet. | | | | Go for the good fats |
| As in most conditions, diet plays a major role in the | | | | Fatty acids found in fish like salmon, for example, |
| regulation of body functions and in promoting healing. | | | | have anti-inflammatory properties. The same benefit |
| A gout diet mainly promotes the reduction of purine | | | | can also be found in nuts, flax oil and olive oil. |
| intake and decreasing the production of uric acid in | | | | Drink moderately |
| the body. A diet designed to manage gout goes | | | | If you can, it's better to avoid alcohol and beer |
| hand-in-hand with other treatments that a patient | | | | altogether. Alcohol is a prime promoter of purine |
| may be using to alleviate the symptoms. | | | | metabolism and can induce the body to produce |
| The link with obesity | | | | more uric acid. It also will block the body's ability to |
| A study in 1986 and a follow-up study in 1998 | | | | excrete these harmful substances. However, there's |
| indicates that compared to those who were | | | | some good news. Wine has not been linked to gout |
| overweight, men who lost at least 10 lbs. had a | | | | and may be consumed in moderate amounts without |
| nearly 40% chance of lowering the risk of gout. | | | | increasing the risk. |
| People who are considered obese are nearly 5 times | | | | Too much sweets and junk |
| more likely to develop gout than does with average | | | | A diet high in simple carbohydrates and fructose or |
| weight and people with hypertension are twice as | | | | table sugar may also cause gout, along with the salts |
| likely of developing it. | | | | and additives found in junk food. If you have the |
| Losing weight and maintaining it within recommended | | | | condition, best eliminate these from your diet. A |
| range will also help ease the burden from the joints. | | | | decrease in intake will also help you reduce weight. |
| Water | | | | Take supplements |
| Preventing a gout attack may be as simple as | | | | Maintaining a diet that is low on purine has its |
| drinking 8 glasses of water everyday. Water aids in | | | | drawback. It may deprive the body of precious |
| flushing toxins out of the body and keeping the | | | | vitamins and minerals that are otherwise present in |
| kidneys in top condition. With enough fluid intake, the | | | | purine-rich foods. Vitamins like E and B complex help |
| body can excrete uric acid better through urine and | | | | the body regulate its functions and are essential in |
| prevent the formation of uric acid crystals. | | | | fighting gout. In this case, taking supplements may be |
| Fruit juices | | | | necessary. |
| On top of the water intake, fresh fruit juices can | | | | B-complex vitamins and folic acid must be taken in |
| also help combat the increase in uric acid levels. | | | | divided doses daily to help neutralize uric acid. Vitamin |
| Eat your fruits and vegetables | | | | E may be taken in low doses initially and increased |
| While some vegetables like dried beans and peas are | | | | gradually to help supplement the diet. In the first |
| not recommended for gout sufferers, there are | | | | stages of a gout attack, taking a high dose of |
| others that can help improve a patient's condition. | | | | Vitamin C may also help. |
| These are vegetables that are rich in flavonoids | | | | Other supplements worth looking into are magnesium |
| including apigenin like thyme, peppermint and parsley. | | | | citrate to relieve spasms, L-glutamine and L-glycine to |
| Fruits like cherries, blueberries and blackberries may | | | | reduce acids, L-methionine to detoxify high-purine |
| also help. | | | | level foods and fish oil to bring down the swelling. |
| Go easy on the purine | | | | Gout patients don't need to suffer for the rest of |
| Foods rich in purine include red meats - pork, beef, | | | | their lives because of gout. It will continue to exist, |
| lamb and venison. Organ meats like liver, kidneys and | | | | true, but it can be controlled as long as a sensible diet |
| tripe are also high in purine. Seafoods like mackerel, | | | | is followed. Remember that we are what we eat and |
| herring and anchovies and shellfish like mussels and | | | | while genetics can play a role in some individuals, |
| oysters can also trigger an attack or aggravate the | | | | what we do to ourselves ultimately determines our |
| condition. | | | | overall health. |
| If purine-rich foods cannot be avoided (it is also | | | | |