Gout or gout is often considered an ancient disease or "not a big problem", but it turns out that this disease afflicts the wider community and can cause serious illness if not treated immediately. Although the main cause of gout is high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream, the body's ability to produce and process uric acid involves a number of different substances. Changing your diet may be one of the most effective ways to prevent gout, or prevent gout from becoming more painful or frequent. Losing weight or taking medication are additional options and are often recommended along with dietary changes.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Eat Gout Preventing Foods
Step 1. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day
Painful attacks of gout occur when a substance called uric acid forms salt crystals in the joints. Fluids can spread uric acid through the body, making it an effective way to reduce the chances of a gout attack. Water is the most effective liquid for this purpose, but you can use 100% fruit juice for part of your daily quota.
- Sugary drinks, such as soda or sweetened fruit juices, can make your gout worse.
- The recommended minimum eight glasses of liquid refer to the size in the US. Eight glasses of liquid equals 64 ounces, two quarts, or 1.9 liters.
Step 2. Consume foods rich in potassium
Potassium can get uric acid, the cause of gout attacks, to pass through your system. Many foods are high in potassium, including lima beans, dried peaches, cantaloupe, cooked spinach, or baked potatoes with their skins on.
If you're not willing to eat at least two servings of these foods each day (or seven for severe gout), try taking a potassium supplement instead, or consult a dietitian or doctor
Step 3. Consume complex carbohydrates
Whole-grain pasta, brown bread, vegetables, and fruit are foods that need to be consumed by individuals at risk of gout. Eat these foods and avoid refined white bread, cakes, and sweets, at least in your daily diet.
Step 4. Take vitamin C supplements or eat foods high in vitamin C
At least one study shows that consuming plenty of vitamin C daily, especially between 1,500 and 2,000mg a day, significantly reduces the risk of gout. Many people who suffer from gout add lemon juice to their water to meet the above vitamin C requirements, although it is difficult to achieve such high levels of vitamin C intake without taking supplements.
Step 5. Eat cherries
An old folk remedy for treating gout, cherries can actually reduce the risk of gout. Early studies suggest that cherries may reduce blood levels of uric acid, a major cause of gout.
Step 6. Drink decaffeinated coffee
One study showed that coffee may help reduce uric acid, and therefore reduce the risk of gout attacks. The reason for this is unknown, but caffeine does not appear to cause gout, and may actually make gout worse. This suggests that decaffeinated coffee may be a better choice.
Method 2 of 4: Avoiding Harmful Foods
Step 1. Avoid sugary foods and "junk food"
Fructose, which can be found in corn syrup and other sweeteners, increases acid levels significantly. When uric acid builds up, it forms needle-like crystals (monosodium urate), which causes joint pain and inflammation known as gout. Diets high in sugar, sweeteners, and processed foods are currently the main cause of gout.
- Try replacing sodas and sugary fruit juices with water and/or juices labeled "100% fruit juice."
- Look at the raw materials for the grocery items you buy. Avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup, and reduce foods that contain sugar or other types of corn syrup.
Step 2. Reduce the consumption of meat and fish that you eat
All types of meat contain purines, which break down into uric acid which causes gout. You shouldn't eliminate meat completely, but eating no more than 4-6 oz (113-170g) daily is highly recommended.
- The meat that can lie flat in the palm of your hand is approximately 3 ounces, 85 grams or one serving. It is recommended that you eat two such servings daily.
- Lean meat is safer than fatty meat.
Step 3. Avoid certain types of meat that are high risk
Some other foods contain high levels of purines, which can trigger gout attacks. Try to eliminate these from your diet, or eat them only occasionally and in small amounts:
- Kidneys, liver, brain and other organ meats
- Anchovies, sardines and mackerel
- Sauce made from meat
Step 4. Reduce the consumption of fat in your diet
Fats in your diet, especially saturated fat, can slow down the body's process of processing uric acid, and make the pain of gout worse. Fortunately, the suggestions suggested above also reduce the amount of fat in your diet, but you can find other ways to reduce your fat intake to healthy levels if needed. If you normally drink full-fat milk, try switching to 1% fat or skim milk instead. If you're used to eating fried foods, try grilling vegetables or chicken.
Step 5. Change drinking beer to wine
Alcohol has been linked to gout, but can be drunk in moderation with very little chance of negative effects. However, beer contains yeast that is high in purines, so it is very likely to make your gout worse. A 150 ml serving of grapes daily is a safer way to consume alcohol.
Adding grapes to your diet does not reduce the chances of developing gout. It is only recommended as a beer substitute
Method 3 of 4: Have a Balanced Weight in a Healthy Way
Step 1. Follow these methods if you are overweight
If you are overweight or obese, this condition is very likely to make your gout worse. However, if you maintain a healthy weight according to your doctor, don't try to lose weight, and read the instructions below before you consider any diet.
Step 2. Don't go on an extreme diet
The dietary changes recommended elsewhere in this article are often enough to slowly but surely lose weight. If you are at risk for gout, losing weight too quickly can actually trigger a gout attack because the stress on your body can put a strain on your kidneys' ability to process harmful substances.
High-protein diets, abstinence diets, and diets that include diuretic supplements are especially dangerous for people at risk for gout
Step 3. Exercising.
Any physical activity can help to reduce weight and the risks associated with gout, including walking the dog or gardening. However, simple activities such as cycling, brisk walking, tennis, or swimming at least 2.5 hours each week are recommended for adults.
Step 4. Ask your doctor or dietitian if you are having trouble achieving a healthy weight
If you're following at least some of the dietary changes described elsewhere, and haven't seen progress toward a healthy weight, consult a trained medical professional. Because gout is affected by many different substances, dietary advice from other sources is not recommended.
Method 4 of 4: Various Causes and Treatments
Step 1. Ask the doctor to prescribe medication
If lifestyle changes are not enough to prevent gout, your doctor may prescribe allopurinol or other medications. Always follow directions carefully, as taking too much medication or taking medication at the wrong time can have the opposite effect, exacerbating gout.
Step 2. Ask your doctor about lead poisoning
Recent evidence suggests that lead poisoning, even in levels too low to cause other problems, can cause or worsen gout. Although more studies are needed to confirm this, you may want to consider having your doctor test your hair or blood for the presence of toxic substances. This is especially true if you have lived or worked in an older building, used lead-based paint, or worked in an industry that uses lead.
Step 3. Avoid diuretic medications if possible
These medications are sometimes used to treat other health problems, or as dietary supplements. Although their effects on gout are controversial, it is possible that they may worsen the disease. Ask your doctor if any other medications you are taking are diuretics and if so, if potassium supplements are recommended for this.
Tips
- Gout is a type of arthritis, or inflammation of the joints. This disease is sometimes called gouty arthritis, or podagra if it causes inflammation of the big toe.
- Try to monitor every food or drink you eat, and see if any particular food has been linked to a gout attack. Everyone's body is different, so some foods may have a more significant effect on you than others.
