The primary cause of gout is the body's inability to filter out excess uric acid, but gout flare-ups can also be brought on by eating the wrong foods. Protein-rich foods and those containing purines are known to cause gout. Many cases can be avoided by simple diet adjustments.
What is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by severe swelling and pain in one or more joints. Most cases cause swelling and pain in the joint in the big toe but gout can also affect joints in the foot, ankle and knee. A typical gout attack tends to subside after 48 hours but severe cases can last for days or even weeks. While food is not the primary cause of gout, eating certain types food can trigger an attack in some people.
What Causes Gout
Gout results from the build-up of sharp crystals of uric acid that settle in connective tissue and the joints between bones. Uric acid is the byproduct of the body's breakdown of purines, which naturally occur in the body and are found in many foods. Gout attacks can result from the combination of excessive amounts of purines in the bloodstream and the body's inability to eliminate them, which causes them to settle in joints and produce inflammation.
Foods to Avoid for Gout Sufferers
Controlling gout through a healthy diet is the best course of treatment and the list of purine-rich foods is easy to avoid. The main culprits include:
Anchovies
Asparagus
Beans
Crab
Herring
Mushrooms
Mussels
Peas
Sardines
People prone to gout attacks should also lower their intake of meat, which produces moderate amounts of purines when broken down during digestion. The same goes for alcohol, which also produces purines after being processed.
Foods that Help
While some foods are bad for gout sufferers, others can help prevent flare ups. They include bananas, celery, tomatoes, chocolate and any food high in Vitamin C like oranges and bell peppers. Lots of water--at least eight glasses a day--is also recommended to help the body flush out excess uric acid.
Beyond Food
The key to controlling gout is prevention. People prone to attacks can avoid painful episodes with simple lifestyle changes. In addition to avoiding purine-rich foods and eating moderate amounts of meat and other foods high in protein, gout sufferers can help their cause by moderating their weight, exercising regularly and eating healthy, low-fat foods, fruit and vegetables.
