Low Purine Diet for Gout Patients

Gout is a joint inflammation caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint space. These crystals are deposited in the synovial fluid and synovial lining and the attacks can be extremely painful. White blood cells completely enclose the uric acid crystals.This can cause intense pain, redness and heat of the joint tissues resulting in intense joint inflammation. There are various medicines that are prescribed to cure this disorder, but changing your diet decreases the frequency and intensity of these attacks and also the dependency on the medicines.

This disorder caused by hyperuricemia (overload of uric acid in the blood) is more common in male adults than female adults.  This disorder is mostly observed in people who consume high level of alcohol or have a history of kidney malfunction. These uric acid crystals are a byproduct of metabolism of chemical compounds of the food consumed by the people. Research has proved that consuming low purine diet can considerably decrease the chances of the painful attacks. Purine is a constituent of proteins and high proteins diet is one of the leading causes of gout. A low purine diet is extremely useful in decreasing the level of uric acid in the body. The basics of this diet involve consuming foods that are low in purines.

As a part of purine diet, follow the set rules.

Avoid –These food items are high in purine so there consumption should be kept to minimum.

  • Avoid meat products in any form. Remove beef, pork, fish, lamb and bacon from your diet.
  • Avoid yeast products like bread, pizzas, baked products and beer.
  • Alcohol consumption has to be minimal as it can trigger hyperuricemia and gout pain.
  • Avoid severe diet plans as it can increase the accumulation of lactic acid in the body and interfere with uric acid excretion by the kidneys. Crash diet can hinder with your normal metabolism and distort it.
  • Avoid coffee, soft drink and heavy food.
  • Avoid simple sugar, cream and ice cream
  • Avoid oatmeal and spicy food.

Moderation- These ones do contain purine but can be consumed in moderate amounts.

  • Vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas and spinach, if cooked well with less spice and oil.
  • Whole grain breads and cereals
  • White meat like turkey, duck and chicken.
  • Kidney and lima beans.

Must eats –This diet is low in purine and long term intake can reduce the symptoms of gout considerably.

  • Drink water- Drinking more than 4 liters of water helps to dissolve the uric acid crystals and excrete them out of the body via urine. Consumption of fresh juices and herbal tea is also effective. High liquid intake will also prevent crystals from forming.
  • Generous intake of fruits and vegetables also keeps the crystals diluted. For snacking, you can grab an apple or make a salad.
  • Increase the intake of food products that are high in potassium. Avocado, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew, kiwi, lima beans, milk, orange, potatoes, spinach and vegetable juice are rich in potassium.
  • Fresh lemon juice- it increases the formation of calcium carbonate in the body. This mineral neutralizes all the acids in the body. Due to this even uric acid gets neutralized. Having at least a warm glass of lemon jiuce post every meal is recommended.
  • Baking soda is alkaline in nature due to which it alkalizes the body. Having half a spoon daily helps to prevent gout attacks.
  • Increase the intake of food that are high in fiber as they eliminate uric acid by the absorbing the bile acids formed in the liver.

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Filed under: Diet & Nutrition by admin on Tue, July 13th, 2010
July 13, 2010

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