When you have Gout, you are always worried about your next attack. A Gout flare up can happen without warning. A lot of times the first attack will happen in the middle of the night awakening you out of a sound sleep. Gout is caused by an excess amount of uric acid in the body. These high levels of uric acid can be caused by several different factors.
The primary cause of high uric acid levels is caused by excessive levels of purines. The purines metabolize into uric acid. The uric acid is excreted through the kidneys. Some individuals are unable to process uric acid properly that may lead to the trouble.
There are secondary causes of high uric acid levels also. Cancers or chemotherapy drugs can produce higher than normal levels of uric acid. Cancer and the drugs to treat cancer produce a higher rate of cell death.
Kidney disease can reduce the rate at which uric acid is removed from the body. Certain medications can affect the kidneys’ ability to work properly. If you combine disease and high intake of purines, then you will have problems with Gout. Obviously there is not a lot you can do about kidney disease or cancer. However, you can control the amount of purines you consume. It is critical that you learn more about what causes Gout and what you can do to avoid an attack. Keep reading to discover the types of food that causes Gout.
- Seafood in large amount should be avoided. The types of seafood that contains the most purines are canned fish such as anchovies and sardines. You should also avoid herring, mussels and mackerel. You can eat other types of seafood in moderation.
- Red meats have been considered a major player in the development of Gout for a very long time. Organ meats such as kidneys, liver and heart are especially high in purines. However, it is noted that you need meat for protein so you should choose only the leanest cuts of meats and eat them in moderation.
- Meat extracts and gravy. Since these foods are made from meats you should avoid them.
- Alcohol has been linked to Gout attacks for centuries. This is one reason why Gout is called the “rich man’s disease”. For centuries, excessive consumption of wine and other types of alcohol has been linked with Gout attacks. If you want to enjoy a glass of wine with a meal, this is no problem. However, you should avoid drinking it every night.
- Yeast and food items containing a lot of yeast should be avoided. When looking for what causes Gout, yeast will come close to the top of the list.
- High fat foods such as creamy sauces, fried foods and other foods that contain trans fats will contribute to your Gout attacks.
- Junk foods are a major type of food that causes Gout. There are so many chemicals, preservatives and processed food items in these types of foods, they will cause a Gout attack. In addition to being bad for your Gout, junk foods are also bad for your body overall.
Now that you have an idea of the type of food that causes Gout, it is up to you to make the right food choices. You can start by removing all of these foods from your home so you won’t be feeling tempted. Make sure you incorporate plenty of water into your diet. Water is very important for reducing the amount of uric acid in your system. You can get rid of Gout if you change the way you eat.
{ 66 comments }
