Gout is a condition that can be treated but not reversed. It can be controlled and some of the painful symptoms can be relieved with certain actions. Gout is a painful condition more common in men than in women. It affects nine times more women than men. Women who are in their twenties are most at risk for developing gout.
This painful form of arthritis occurs when there is too many uric acids in the body. An excessive amount of acid can cause needle-like crystals to form around your joints. The big toe is a common target. This acid can be flushed out by your body. The kidneys are responsible to flush out excess acid from the body. If a person eats a lot of purine, it can cause damage to the kidneys. These foods are the main reason for the formation of uric acid in the body.
So, if you have gout, you should limit the consumption of purine-rich foods as part of the special gout diet.
Foods rich in purine, which should be eaten in moderation.
Above all, pay attention to the size and frequency of your animal protein portions and think about including vegetable proteins (edamame, tofu, chickpeas, lentils…).
But purines are not limited to meat. Purines is found in many other food:
– Some fish, seafood and shellfish, including anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, cod, scallops, trout, shrimp and haddock.
– Some meats, such as red meat, bacon, turkey, veal, venison, liver and offal.
As well, purines are also found in foods high in cholesterol and fat. So, it’s important to limit foods and meals rich in fat, especially saturated fats (fast food, fried food, rich dairy products, etc.) because they reduce the capacity to eliminate uric acid.
On the other hand, vegetable sources of purines such as legumes and certain vegetables (such as asparagus, cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms), although rich in purines, are thought to have a protective effect by reducing the level of uric acid in the body.
Being overweight can also cause a lot of stress to the kidneys, which can affect their ability to filter out uric acid. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day to flush out excess acid. Water can flush your system and help you lose weight. Losing weight will reduce stress on your kidneys, allowing them to function at their best to remove uric acid.