What To Eat Or Not To Eat If You Have Gout

Gout is a rheumatic disorder that results from an overload of uric acid within the body leading to formation of urate crystals that get deposited in the body tissues, especially the joint spaces. These crystals trigger a recurring inflammatory response within the joint - making it a chronic and progressive disease.

A patient suffering with gout shows raised levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines that are present in quite a number of food items that we eat. Apart from manifesting as painful arthritis (gout), the abnormality in uric acid metabolism can also lead to formation of kidney stones and blockage of the kidney-filtering tubules, leading to kidney failure. 

May it be gout or asymptomatic hyperuricemia, dietetic modifications to reduce the formation of excessive uric acid is the key to effective management of the case. This article will throw light on the food items that are associated with uric-acid formation in the body.

In some people, though, laboratory investigations reveal raised uric acid levels in the blood (hyperuricemia) but they do not show any manifestations of gout. This state is termed as asymptomatic hyperuricemia. In homeopathic language, we call it a uric-acid diathesis. It represents a pre-disease state, that if not taken care of can lead to disease in no time.

May it be gout or asymptomatic hyperuricemia, dietetic modifications to reduce the formation of excessive uric acid is the key to effective management of the case. This article will throw light on the food items that are associated with uric-acid formation in the body.

Let's start with a good news... although most of the seafood is termed under prohibited section, shrimp, lobster, eel, and crab are considered relatively safe to consume for the patients suffering with gout.

But a bad news for you is Beer should be avoided completely by a patient suffering with gout. Beer not only increases your uric-acid level, but also makes it more difficult for your body to clear urate crystals from your system. Though wine is considered comparatively safe, it is better to abstain from any kind of alcohol by a patient with gout.

Though all kinds of meat is not created equal when it comes to purine content, one must be selective. White meat is generally better than red, but it is okay to eat some types of red meat once in a while.

Sugary drinks - beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, such as non-diet sodas or “fruit” drinks also come with a label of NO with them. The artificial sweetening agents in the diet-sodas can lead to increase in uric acid concentration.

Among the vegetables - Asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, and mushrooms are higher in purines than other vegetables. But the good news is purines from vegetable source are easier for body to excrete out.

Having said this, there are many types of foods that may help you against gout. Low-fat dairy foods, complex carbohydrates, coffee, and fruits, especially citrus fruits are highly recommended for a gout patient. You should also be sure to get 12 to 16 cups of fluid daily, which does not necessarily have to be only water (although it shouldn’t be beer!)—you can choose non-sweetened juice, tea, and coffee too. Any kind of fluid / food that keeps your blood and urine flowing is good for you.