A healthy diet has time and again proven to be effective in preventing and even treating gout. Several international researches and studies confirm this fact. A gout attack is very painful and can be quite debilitating. By consuming the right foods and avoiding those that are not good for you, you need not suffer such excruciating pain that often or that severely.
Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Our body has a natural way of breaking down uric acid. This is then dissolved in the blood, passes through the kidneys and excreted via urine or sweat.
However, there are instances when the body produces too much uric acid or there are times when it doesn't have the ability to remove enough of it. The excess uric acid that remains in the body will eventually turn to needle-like crystals that settle in the lower extremity joints. Our system's anti-bodies see these accumulated crystals as foreign bodies so they start attacking it. This attack is what causes inflammation of the afflicted joints, and the pain associated with it can be quite excruciating.
Several studies prove that certain foods can actually help prevent gout attacks just as much as there are foods that trigger this very painful condition. The actual treatment of gout is generally based on anti-inflammatory medications. However, a good diet and natural herbal supplements can significantly aid in the prevention and treatment of gout.
In general, a gout patient should have a daily diet that is rich in complex carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are found in most fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is also recommended to cut down in protein and fat. Ideally, only 15 percent of your daily calorie intake should come from protein preferably from lean meats, soy products and healthy poultry. And make sure that the calories you get from fat should not go over 30% of your daily calorie consumption.
The most recommended foods to prevent gout are fresh berries such as cherries, blueberries and strawberries. Other fruits that are highly recommended are pineapples, tomatoes, oranges, mandarins and tangerines. There are also different kinds of vegetables that can significantly aid in the prevention of gout. These are green-leafy vegetables, parsley, kale, red cabbage and red bell peppers.
As mentioned earlier, your diet should be rich in complex carbohydrates. You can get these from pasta, whole wheat breads, cereals and rice. A gout treatment diet does not mean you should completely stay away from all kinds of meat. You may include meat in your diet as long as they are low-fat and lean. Stay away from red and fatty meats.
You'll be surprised to know that drinks which are usually considered bad for the health can actually help in gout prevention. Several studies claim coffee and carbonated drinks such as sodas are very helpful in treating gout. Dark chocolates can work wonders in preventing gout, too. Although it would be wise to consume these drinks and treats in moderation.
Now it's time to discuss the foods you absolutely have to avoid. These are foods high in purine, the major source of our body's uric acid. Included in the foods to avoid list are hearts, mussels, herrings, sweat breads, sardines, and any food containing yeast. Yes, that includes beer, too. These foods and drink have the highest purine levels. The foods considered to have medium purine content are: kidneys, livers, scallops, partridge, turkey and anchovies.
Now that modern medicine has developed quite potent and effective gout treatment medication, gout patients can enjoy life without having to succumb to incredibly strict diets as in the past. However, a healthy diet and staying away from foods that can trigger gout can still help in reducing and maybe even eliminating very painful gout attacks.
Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Our body has a natural way of breaking down uric acid. This is then dissolved in the blood, passes through the kidneys and excreted via urine or sweat.
However, there are instances when the body produces too much uric acid or there are times when it doesn't have the ability to remove enough of it. The excess uric acid that remains in the body will eventually turn to needle-like crystals that settle in the lower extremity joints. Our system's anti-bodies see these accumulated crystals as foreign bodies so they start attacking it. This attack is what causes inflammation of the afflicted joints, and the pain associated with it can be quite excruciating.
Several studies prove that certain foods can actually help prevent gout attacks just as much as there are foods that trigger this very painful condition. The actual treatment of gout is generally based on anti-inflammatory medications. However, a good diet and natural herbal supplements can significantly aid in the prevention and treatment of gout.
In general, a gout patient should have a daily diet that is rich in complex carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are found in most fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is also recommended to cut down in protein and fat. Ideally, only 15 percent of your daily calorie intake should come from protein preferably from lean meats, soy products and healthy poultry. And make sure that the calories you get from fat should not go over 30% of your daily calorie consumption.
The most recommended foods to prevent gout are fresh berries such as cherries, blueberries and strawberries. Other fruits that are highly recommended are pineapples, tomatoes, oranges, mandarins and tangerines. There are also different kinds of vegetables that can significantly aid in the prevention of gout. These are green-leafy vegetables, parsley, kale, red cabbage and red bell peppers.
As mentioned earlier, your diet should be rich in complex carbohydrates. You can get these from pasta, whole wheat breads, cereals and rice. A gout treatment diet does not mean you should completely stay away from all kinds of meat. You may include meat in your diet as long as they are low-fat and lean. Stay away from red and fatty meats.
You'll be surprised to know that drinks which are usually considered bad for the health can actually help in gout prevention. Several studies claim coffee and carbonated drinks such as sodas are very helpful in treating gout. Dark chocolates can work wonders in preventing gout, too. Although it would be wise to consume these drinks and treats in moderation.
Now it's time to discuss the foods you absolutely have to avoid. These are foods high in purine, the major source of our body's uric acid. Included in the foods to avoid list are hearts, mussels, herrings, sweat breads, sardines, and any food containing yeast. Yes, that includes beer, too. These foods and drink have the highest purine levels. The foods considered to have medium purine content are: kidneys, livers, scallops, partridge, turkey and anchovies.
Now that modern medicine has developed quite potent and effective gout treatment medication, gout patients can enjoy life without having to succumb to incredibly strict diets as in the past. However, a healthy diet and staying away from foods that can trigger gout can still help in reducing and maybe even eliminating very painful gout attacks.
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