Gout, the name by which hyperuricemia or excess of uric acid in the blood is popularly known, is a painful disease that affects many people. In 90% of cases, gout is a male disease whose onset generally begins around the age of thirty-five.
Gout is a joint inflammation triggered by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint. It is therefore caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, which the body’s drainage systems are no longer able to eliminate.
However, too high a level of uric acid is not enough to explain gout. In fact, it is estimated that 5 to 10% of the adult population is hyperuricemic. However, only about 2% of the adult population suffers from gout.
The acute gout attack is extremely painful. In the early stages of the disease, these attacks are relatively spaced out, but they quickly become more and more frequent.
Although gout may eventually go away on its own, it can last for years. Gout attacks last about a week, and most sufferers experience multiple attacks a year. Eating the right food can help to prevent gour or avoid strong attack.
Although diet alone cannot cause or treat gout, certain foods and lifestyle habits can change the risk of gout. Taking medication along with good eating habits may be the best way to treat gout.
As part of the special gout diet, it is advisable to avoid or greatly reduce consumption of purine-rich foods, because they raise uric acid levels . In general, red meat, fish and seafood are associated with an increased risk of gout. It is also advisable to avoid strong alcohol, beer and sweetened sodas when you have gout. Here more details:
Here are some recommendations to follow:
1- Limit alcohol consumption, especially beer, to one drink per day. During a gout attack, it is better to avoid all alcohol consumption because it increases the level of uric acid in the body.
2- Limit the consumption of food rich in purines. Above all, pay attention to the size and frequency of your portions of animal protein. Among the foods very rich in purine, to be consumed in moderation, we find: certain fish, seafood and shellfish, including anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, cod, scallops, trout and haddock. Certain meats, such as bacon, turkey, veal, venison and offal.
3. Think about including vegetable proteins (edamame, tofu, chickpeas, lentils…). In fact, vegetable sources of purines such as legumes and certain vegetables (such as asparagus, cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms), although rich in purines, would have a protective effect because they would reduce the level of uric acid in the body.
4- Limit foods and meals rich in saturated fats (fast food, fried food, rich dairy products…) because they reduce the capacity to eliminate uric acid.
5- Eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as red bell pepper, broccoli, orange, kiwi, mango, strawberry. They would help to reduce the level of uric acid.
6- Eat foods rich in omega 3. You will find these fatty acids in certain fish, such as salmon and tuna, of which it is recommended to consume 2 portions of 100g per week. You can also meet your needs by eating ground flax or chia seeds and walnuts on a daily basis.
7- Limit consumption of sugary drinks, fruit juices and processed foods to reduce your intake of added fructose.
8- Maintain good hydration by drinking 1.5 to 2L of water per day. This will prevent urine from being too concentrated.