Food and Gout: Know What to Avoid

Food and gout can be a dangerous combination. If you suffer from this condition, eating the wrong thing can lead to a painful attack that can last for hours, days, or even weeks.

Gout is a type of arthritis that can strike without warning. And what you eat and drink can make you more prone to gout attacks. So by avoiding, or cutting down on, certain foods and beverages, you can help cut down on your chances of suffering from this painful condition more than you have to.

Gout sufferers should avoid or limit foods that contain purine.

Gout is caused by swelling of the joints. When purines (substances produced naturally by your body, and also found in certain foods) break down, a waste product called uric acid is formed. When your body produces too much, or isn't able to get rid of enough, uric acid, this by-product can build up, causing crystals to form in your joints. The result is gout, and all the pain and inflammation that go with it.

Most foods contain purine. But eating foods high in purine can elevate the amount of uric acid in your system, and lead to a gout attack. Some foods to look out for are:

* Organ meats, like kidney and liver.

* Seafood, like mussels, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and herring

* Foods rich in protein, like pork roast, poultry, and roast beef.

* Vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, lentils, mushrooms, and spinach.

* Whole grain breads and cereals, and oatmeal.

You should eat no more than 5 to 6 ounces of lean meat, fish, or poultry a day. If you're suffering from frequent gout attacks, consider cutting down even more on proteins. Also, limiting yourself to one serving a day of other purine rich foods will also help. If you eat oatmeal for breakfast, you might want to pass on having spinach for dinner.

Gout sufferers should avoid or limit alcohol.

Gout sufferers should really try to avoid alcohol. Alcohol not only contains a lot of purine, it also boosts the amount of uric acid produced by your body.

To avoid gout attacks, limit yourself to one drink per day, especially if you're drinking beer, which contains more purine than wine and spirits. If you're having a gout attack, it's best to avoid alcohol all together.

Gout sufferers should drink lots of water.

Drinking lots of water every day has many health benefits, especially for those with gout. Water can help flush uric acid from your system. Drinking plenty of water will also prevent dehydration, which can trigger a gout attack.

Everyone, especially those with gout, should drink at least five or six tall glasses of water every day.

Keep these tips in mind, and you can prevent painful gout attacks before they have the chance to strike.