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Foods To Avoid For Treating Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis which usually develops in the feet or toes. Gout develops due to presence of excess uric acid in the blood. This results in deposition of crystal in the joints of the body, which result in pain, swelling and redness. Uric acid normally dissolves in the blood. In some cases however there may be an increased production of uric acid in the body or the kidneys may be unable to function properly in order to remove the uric acid from the blood.
In such cases gout is likely to develop. Gout can also be caused when there is an excessive consumption of purine containing foods. The chemical, purine, is contained in specific foods.
When such foods are broken down, uric acid is formed.
Gout is known to be more common in those who are overweight. As such maintaining one’s ideal body weight is very important.
Increased intake of fluids helps to flush out the crystals of uric acid from the joints. Alcohol must be entirely avoided and a low purine diet must be consumed. This involves consuming foods that are low in purine and avoiding those foods which contain high amounts of purine.
High purine foods which can aggravate gout and must be avoided include organ meats such as liver, sweetbreads, brain and kidney, game meats, anchovies, meat extracts, yeast and beer. Fish such as mackerel, scallops, sardine and herring must also be avoided. Foods which contain a medium amount of purine can be eaten in moderation. Such foods include cereals, eggs, whole grain bread, wheat germ, bran, oatmeal, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus, poultry, meat, meat soups, broth and fresh and saltwater fish.
Foods that are low in purine may be consumed safely without any restrictions. These include cereals, breads, peanut butter and nuts. Vegetables that are low in purine may also be consumed. Cream or vegetable soups that do not contain meat extract are also tolerated well. Low fat cheeses, sugar, gelatin, soft drinks, fruit juices and tea are also low in purine. Some individuals with gout find certain foods beneficial. These include strawberries and cherry juice. Dark berries contain certain chemicals which are believed to alleviate inflammation and reduce uric acid in the bloodstream. The fatty acids contained in olive oil or flax seed oil and nuts are also known to help in decreasing inflammation, as are oily fish such as salmon. Some also consider tofu, which is made from soybeans, to be a beneficial food.
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