Gout Diet
Gout is classified as a type of arthritis. It is mainly caused by high levels of uric acid found in the body. This uric acid crystallizes in the joints causing not only inflammation, but lots of pain. The Gout Diet was not necessarily developed to lose weight, instead it was developed to reduce the risk of gout and for those already with this condition, lessen the inflammation and pain.
Foods to Avoid
Generally speaking there are several types of food that can be associated with gout. While these food are not necessarily unhealthy (in many cases they are part of a nutritional and healthy diet), they can increase the risk of gout and/or make symptoms of this disease worse. Foods that are high in purines and high in protein should generally be avoided. These foods can include:
- Meat, such as bacon, veal, turkey and pheasant
- Fish, such as scallops, anchovies, sardines & Mussels
- Sweetbreads and foods that contain lots of yeast
- Alcoholic beverages
Foods OK to Eat
Here is a list of foods that one can eat when on the Gout Diet:
- Low-fat dairy products
- Vegetables such as peas, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach (it should be noted that although these foods contain purines, they have shown not to increase the risk of gout).
- Coffee & Tea
Considerations
It should be noted that most people that suffer with Gout are now able to take specific medications that reduce their uric acid and inflammation in the body. In many instances, a person can eat a normal diet due to these medications instead of following the stricter Gout Diet. However, it is best to consult with a physician for your specific case.
As with all diets, talk with your physician before starting a new diet program.
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Filed under Medical Diets.
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