Understanding the basics of gout is important in an effective gout diet . This is especially true for people who are already suffering from the disease and those who are at high risk of developing it.

The symptoms, severity of the pain as well as the frequency of the attacks can be managed by eating foods that have low levels of purine. Purine is an organic compound that is naturally present in the cells and almost all kinds of food. Although purine can’t be avoided entirely, going on a diet will greatly increase your chance of preventing future flare-ups.

What is a Gout Diet?

It’s  a type of diet especially designed for gout sufferers and people who are at risk of developing gouty arthritis. It aims to reduce the levels of uric acid found in the blood by modifying food intake. It has been thought that foods rich in protein also have high levels of purine; increasing chances of developing gouty arthritis.

These foods include red meat, organ meats, legumes, shellfish, sugary carbonated drinks, mushrooms, asparagus and lentils. While thee  guidelines were released some time back, they are still pretty much accurate to this day, more research and studies have added valuable information to what a  proper gout diet is.

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According to the Arthritis Foundation, people who are suffering from gouty arthritis should use a trial and error approach to finding the right types of food that will suit their unique dietary and nutritional requirements. This is in addition to consulting a physician or a nutritionist. Note that as with other types of diet, foods included in a special  diet may have different results for each individual. This is because not all purine-rich foods have the same effects for every gout sufferer.

In the past, people believe that consuming vegetables with high levels of purine can aggravate the symptoms of gout.

Interestingly, the most comprehensive and in depth study on gout arthritis conducted by researcher and rheumatologist Hyon Choi published in The New England Journal of Medicine in March 11, 2004 disproved this widely accepted presumption.

According to the research, consuming too many vegetables containing high levels of purine does not significantly raise your chances of developing gout. This finding is consistent with the medical research conducted in 2004 to 2006 that suggest that a vegetarian diet which includes regular consumption of high purine vegetables and soy products does not lead to gouty arthritis or aggravate symptoms.

General Guidelines:

It is important to note that every person is different even when it comes to this.  If you have a special dietary requirement due to illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension, it is best to consult a rheumatologist or dietician. This is so you can be guided on the type of foods in your diet that will help manage symptoms and at the same time provide you with the nutrition especially needed for your specific state of health. Individualized gout diets or meal plans should take into consideration other factors including your health in general as well as age, BMI and risk factors.

A certain  guideline is also available for people who are predisposed to gout and those who have gout but are otherwise healthy. In general, it is recommended to eat less meat, seafood and poultry. Men who cut their meat intake and increase consumption of low or nonfat dairy significantly reduces their chances of acquiring gout to  as much as 50%.

Aside from avoiding red meat, it’s crucial to  reduce your fat consumption. Dairy and soy products that are high in protein but are low in fat are good options. This includes yogurt, tofu and soybeans. It is important to note however that fat is an important part of a healthy diet and while you can’t completely eliminate fats in your diet, total daily consumption should not be over 30% of your total daily calorific intake.

Wine is rich in antioxidants and when consumed moderately helps reduce the risk of developing heart diseases. If you are on a gout diet however, alcohol consumption should be limited if not avoided. Moreover, wine and other sprits are not as harmful as beer. Avoid beer at all cost and limit wine consumption to 1 drink per day with a maximum of 3 drinks per week.

Gout Diet and Nutritious Foods:

Foods rich in vitamins and have anti inflammatory properties are a big part of a gout diet. This includes fruits and leafy vegetables. You can significantly lower the levels of uric acid in the blood by consuming foods rich in vitamin C. On top of that, vitamin C or ascorbic acid helps repair cells damaged by gout. In addition to nutritious foods, it is also recommended to consume healthy amounts of complex carbohydrates that are present in cereals, grains and root crops. Fluids also help keep your uric acid levels in check. Being fully hydrated helps your body achieve optimum functions and flush away waste products in the urine. It is therefore important to include at least 8 cups of water in your  diet every day.

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