Diet Restrictions for Gout - The Effects of the Foods You Eat on Your Gout

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kristie_Leong_M.D.]Dr. Kristie Leong M.D.
Gout has been called the disease of kings, which is hardly surprising since it's a condition that hurts "royally." Gout frequently makes its appearance in the wee hours of the night and most commonly involves the big toe. The pain is nothing short of agony. No wonder people enthusiastically look for remedies for this chronic condition for which there is no cure. Doctors sometimes prescribe prescription medications, but some of them have serious side effects, which is why some people opt for dietary changes. Unfortunately, there are numerous gout restrictions for gout sufferers. This makes some gout victims feel like there's nothing they can eat.
Why Diet Restrictions for Gout Are Important
Gout is a condition linked with high uric acid levels in the blood. When uric acid levels are too high, uric acid deposits can form and deposit needle-like crystals in joint spaces, usually in the legs or feet. This causes the immune system to go into overdrive, leading to inflammation, swelling and pain. Reducing uric acid levels to below 6.0 can help reduce the risk of experiencing a painful gout attack.
Uric acid is produced by cells when they die, and it's also a by-product of the breakdown of foods that are high in purines. Gout sufferers usually either produce too many purines or they have problems excreting purines through their kidneys, usually the latter. That's why doctors usually recommend that people with gout limit the number of purine-rich foods they eat. Reducing the body's purine load helps to lower uric acid levels and ward off gout attacks.
Foods That Are High in Purines
Some foods are very high in purines and should be eliminated if you have gout. These "red flag" foods include organ meats, game meats, sardines, mackerel, herring, anchovies, mussels, scallops, meat stock, meat gravies, Brewer's yeast, Baker's yeast, beer, liquor and fish eggs. There are other foods that are moderately high in purines and should be eaten only in moderation. This includes most types of meat including red meat, chicken, lamb and pork, shellfish, saltwater and fresh fish, wheat germ, wheat bran, eggs, whole-grain breads, legumes and oatmeal. Most vegetables don't make the list of purine-rich foods, although spinach, cauliflower, asparagus, and peas have moderate amounts. Interestingly, purine-rich veggies don't seem to boost the risk of gout attacks like animal products do.
Many people are discouraged to find that their favorite foods contribute to their gout attacks. Even if you feel like you can live with the pain of gout, there are other compelling reasons to make dietary adjustments. Gout is linked to other health problems including hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease stroke and a condition called metabolic syndrome. Eating a gout-friendly diet can help to reduce the risk of some of these health problems too since many foods high in purines are also high in fat and calories.
Food plays a role in bringing on gout attacks in another way. Losing weight helps to lower uric acid levels and ward off gout episodes. Limiting purines in your diet, cutting back on calories if you need to lose weight and exercising can help bring down your uric acid levels and ward off the other health problems linked with gout. Eating right is not only important for preventing gout attacks but for reducing the risk of gout-related health problems as well.
The Bottom Line?
Diet restrictions for gout help to ward off gout attacks to different degrees depending on the individual. Some people still need medications even if they limit purines in their diet. So, what can you eat with gout? Fruits and veggie, low-fat dairy and vegetarian protein sources are all good options. They're particularly beneficial because of the antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory chemicals they contain. There are even certain fruits that have shown benefits for gout sufferers, but that's a subject for a future article.
Addendum: Always talk to your doctor before treating gout through diet or medications. Only a medical professional knows your medical history and can make appropriate recommendations.
References:
Eat to Treat Gout.  2011. Kristie Leong M.D.
The Gout and Uric Acid Education Society.
The Arthritis Society
Kristie Leong M.D. is a family physician interested in all aspects of traditional and complementary medicine. She has written a Kindle ebook called Eat to Treat Gout and has a website with useful information for gout sufferers at [http://www.bigtoegout.com]http://www.bigtoegout.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Diet-Restrictions-for-Gout---The-Effects-of-the-Foods-You-Eat-on-Your-Gout&id=6640305] Diet Restrictions for Gout - The Effects of the Foods You Eat on Your Gout