High uric acid ( gout ) – food is medicine for you
Gout is a disease in which defective metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet, deposition of chalk-stones, and episodes of acute pain. An abnormality in handling uric acid and crystallization of these compounds in joints can cause attacks of painful arthritis, kidney stones, and blockage of the kidney filtering tubules with uric acid crystals, leading to kidney failure.
Acute gout attacks are characterized by a rapid onset of pain in the affected joint followed by warmth, swelling, reddish discoloration, and marked tenderness
Obesity, excessive weight gain, especially in youth, moderate to heavy alcohol intake, high blood pressure, and abnormal kidney function are among the risk factors for developing gout.
Maintaining adequate fluid intake helps prevent acute gout attacks and decreases the risk of kidney stone formation in people with gout
Meat or seafood consumption increases the risk of gout attacks, while dairy consumption seemed to reduce this risk. Weight reduction can be helpful in lowering the risk of recurrent attacks of gout.
Foods to limit (very high in purines):
- Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, and brains.
- Meats, including bacon, beef, pork, and lamb.
- Any other meats in large amounts.
- Gravy.
- Refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, pasta, sugar)
- Processed foods (chips, snack foods, frozen dinners)
- Sugary beverages.
- Alcohol
What to eat / drink
Ginger- pineapple – cucumber mix juice is a favourite, and effective.
- Milk – There is a substance in milk called orotic that helps uric acid to be removed by the kidneys. Enjoy low-fat milk and dairy products daily.
- Beet juice
- Lemon juice alkalizes the body and reduces the amount of acid. Mix the juice from one lemon with half a teaspoon of baking soda.
- Coffee
- Lemon, ginger, strawberries, turmeric ,pineapple
- Drink at least two litres of low-calorie fluids a day. Recommended fluids are water, tea and fruit juice
- One banana has about 105 calories and is low on sugar but very high in vitamins B6, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, folic acid and potassium; which is very beneficial to the gout sufferer
- Watch your weight. Try to lose weight slowly.
- Eat fresh fruit, vegetables, whole wheat products and some pulses (high in purine) every day.
- Eat low-fat food. The consumption of high-fat foods encourages weight gain.
- Potatoes have low uric acid and can be taken in limited amount.
- Peanuts are safe to eat if you have gout.
- Whole-grain, unsweetened cereal
- Roasted or steamed green beans
- Low-fat yogurt
- Whole-grain, unsweetened cereal with skim or low-fat milk
- Fresh strawberries.
Always get advised from your physician and dietitian for customized suggestions for you if you are suffering from gout or any other diseases. As, due to various medical conditions, diet plan may not be the same for every person.
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