Gout is a painful form of arthritis. When you have Gout, you will experience severe pain and swelling in a joint. The big toe is the most affected joint but it can also occur in the ankle, knees and even the fingers. A severe Gout attack can affect your daily life. It can interfere with your ability to walk or if your fingers are affected, you can be unable to perform the simplest tasks. So how do you get Gout and what can you do to prevent it?
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. This uric acid will build up and form small uric acid crystals. These crystals have small needle like projections that will settle in a joint or in the connective tissue. The result is inflammation, swelling and pain in the affected joint.
Excess uric acid comes from food or drinks that contain a lot of purines. Purines are naturally found in many foods and they are an important component in all cells. But for various reasons, some individuals cannot process the uric acid properly and this leads to Gout. When a Gout sufferer has one Gout attack, chances are good that he will have recurring Gout attacks. Chronic Gout can become a problem, unless dietary changes are made. Read on to learn more about a great diet for chronic Gout sufferers.
It is important to understand where purines are found. The highest levels of purines are found in meats, especially organ meats such as liver, kidney, brains, etc. High fat red meats will also contain a lot of purines. If you are an avid meat eater, you will have to make some dietary adjustments if you want to prevent Gout attacks.
When you are researching chronic Gout, you will come across a lot of advice on what you should not eat. But then the question arises what should you eat? The American Medical Association provided with following recommendations for a healthy Gout diet. Your diet should consist of:
- Complex carbohydrates. These include fiber rich whole grains. It also includes nuts, vegetables and fruit.
- 30% or less of your calories should come from fat. Only 10% of these fats should be animal fats.
- Low protein. Only 15% of your calories should come from lean meats, poultry and soy.
- If you want more specifics of the types of foods you should eat, the following list should be a great help to you:
- Vegetables that include green leafy vegetables, kale, parsley and cabbage.
- Dairy products that are low fat.
- Carbonated beverages.
- Fruits such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries and bananas. Pineapples are very beneficial because they contain bromelain. This is a very important component in helping you recover from a Gout attack.
- High vitamin C foods. These include red bell peppers, tangerines, mandarins, red cabbage and potatoes.
- Complex carbohydrates that include rice, pasta, cereals and breads.
- Important fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, flax seeds and nuts.
- Ample water intake. Water is very important. You need to drink at least 8 glasses per day.
This is the basics for a chronic Gout diet. It is best if you make a menu for yourself consisting of all the foods you are allowed to eat. If you find yourself having trouble then you can find a dietician to help you. You should contact your local hospital or talk to your doctor to find a registered dietician in your area.
