HealthTip: What to do About Gout?

If you are suffering from gout, the following suggestions may help limit painful gout attacks:

• If you are overweight, work with your friends, family, doctor and dietitian to try to reach a healthier weight.
• Drink 8-12 cups of fluid throughout the day to help flush uric acid out of the body and limit crystallization in joints.
• Pay attention to your meat, fish, and poultry intake. These foods are high in purines and decreasing portion sizes may help limit the amount of uric acid in the blood. Beans, peas, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy are other sources of protein that you may want to add to your diet.
• Pay attention to saturated fat. Saturated fat may decrease the body's ability to eliminate uric acid. Try choosing foods with lower amounts of saturated and trans fat and higher amounts of mono- or poly-unsaturated fat ...check out the nutrition label!
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol, especially beer, may limit gout attacks, as alcohol interferes with elimination of uric acid from the body.
• Fructose is a sugar that may increase uric acid. Read food labels to see if your juices, candies, or treats are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup.
• Some studies suggest that low-fat dairy may decrease risk of gout. Try adding skim or 1% milk, yogurt, or low-fat cheese to your diet.
• Whole grains high in fiber, vegetables, and fruits add variety at meal time and may limit foods high in purines.

In a nutshell, these recommendations are very similar to the recommendations of a healthy diet rich in whole grains, low-fat dairy, vegetables, fruit, and protein from plant and animal sources. These changes would likely not be a replacement for prescribed medications in those with severe gout, but they may help limit the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Speak with your doctor and dietitian about what changes you can make on your own!

Information Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout-diet/MY01137
www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/DS00090
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa035700

HealthTip: What Is Gout?

Gout is an complex form of arthritis which involves sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often in the big toe.  It occurs when high levels of uric acid in the blood accumulate and form crystals around a joint. The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines. Purines can be found in common foods such as meats (especially organ meats), anchovies, herring, asparagus, sardines, mushrooms, and beer. A 2004 study from the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that higher consumption of meat and seafood was associated with increased risk of gout, while a high intake of dairy was associated with a decreased risk of gout. The study also suggested that high intake of purine-rich vegetables did not increase the risk of developing gout. Other studies find that those who are overweight or obese are also at increased risk.
If you suffer from gout, speak with your family physician about what diet changes and medications may be right for you. For more information on small changes you can make to help with gout attacks see my following post.

Information Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout-diet/MY01137
www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/DS00090
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa035700