What Foods Cause Gout? by Charlene J Nuble

Did you know that some of the foods you eat can cause certain illnesses or diseases? Many studies have concluded that unhealthy food choices are bad and so it is very important to keep track of your daily food intake. Some individuals don’t have healthy eating habits and their body will surely suffer from it. In time, they will develop an illness like gout. So, what foods cause gout?

Certain foods are rich in purine. This is a chemical found in some foods which can cause high uric acid level in your body. Organ meats like sweetbreads, kidneys, brain, and liver contain high levels of purine. Aside from the organ meats, beans, dried peas, herring, and anchovies also contain purine.

Once the purine enters the body, it is them converted to uric acid. According to medical experts, the body needs uric acid but if it is produced in high levels, it can lead to an illness such as gout. When there is excess uric acid, it will tend to crystallize around joint areas particularly on the joints of the big toes and ankle. In some cases, the uric acid crystallizes or hardens around the joints of your elbow, hands, wrist, and fingers. When this happens, the joints swell or become inflamed. This can cause sudden pain which can be quite unbearable over the long run. If you avoid foods which contain purine, you can surely prevent gout. However, some of the foods which contain purine are also needed by the body. If you don’t eat them, you might not get all the nutrients and vitamins needed by the body. It is very important to have a balanced diet for the maximum health of the body. If you’re not sure about the right food choices, you should consult a nutritionist or a di!

etician especially if there is a history of gout in your family.

Aside from the foods, alcoholic drinks also can cause gout. If you drink too much, you’re more susceptible to this illness. With too much alcohol in the body, uric acid can’t be removed or eliminated effectively. If you eat a low carb diet, make sure that you drink plenty of water. Eight to ten glasses of water everyday can make wonders to your health.

If a dietary change sounds very difficult for you, then you might want to consider taking medications to lower the uric acid in your body. Also, if you don’t want to avoid the foods which contain purine, try to eat them in limited amounts instead.

Some researches also proved that vitamin C can lower the level of uric acid in the body. Most fresh juices contain vitamin C and by drinking plenty of juices everyday, you can prevent gout. Taking vitamin C supplements or drinking fresh orange juice everyday is a good idea for those who don’t have the illness yet. However, if you’re already suffering from gout, it would be best to consult a doctor so that the proper treatment will be given to you. Treatments vary depending on the current condition of the patient.

What foods cause gout? Any food which contains purine can cause gout especially when eaten frequently. Try to avoid these foods or you can limit the consumption in order to prevent gout. Ask your doctor about the proper diet for preventing or managing gout. If you make some changes in your eating habits, perhaps you can prevent the development of gout.