Gout is a form of arthritis that results in painful crystals of uric acid forming in one or more joints. In many cases, gout is associated with overconsumption of certain foods including alcohol, meats and seafood. Gout can be effectively treated with a combination of medications and dietary guidelines limiting foods that produce high levels of uric acid.
Your body produces uric acid as a byproduct of breaking down a class of organic molecules called purines. Purines are the chemical basis for certain nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA as well as a large range of important compounds in your body. DNA stores genetic information in your cells, which helps produce RNA, the template for creating the proteins that make up your body's structure and carry out biochemical reactions. Purines are found in high amounts in animal muscle tissue.
Gout can be caused by both excess production of uric acid or a decreased ability to remove uric acid from the body. This may be due to other diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, alcoholism, obesity and leukemia.
Meat, Poultry, Fish
The most abundant source of purines are the full range of meats: beef, pork, poultry, fish and other seafood. Organ meats are especially high in purines and should be avoided completely on a gout diet. Meat does not need to be avoided completely. The Mayo clinic suggests limiting yourself to between 4 and 6 ounces, or 110 and 170 grams, per day. Of course, meat ordinarily provides the majority of your protein intake. When reducing meat, get protein from other sources including low-fat dairy, eggs and plant-based sources such as beans, legumes, soybeans and whole grains.
Alcohol reduces the ability of your body to excrete uric acid via the kidneys and urine. If your gout is severe or you are having an attack, avoid alcohol completely. If your gout is in remission, you may drink one or two glasses of wine without increasing your risk. Increasing your daily intake of water can help. As the water is turned into urine, it carries uric acid out of your body. Adult men need over 3 liters of liquids daily and women need over 2 liters. About 20 percent of that comes from moisture in your food, but water ideally should account for most of the rest.
Processed carbohydrates and sugars take the place of healthy carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, in your diet. Although no direct link has been established between sugar intake and gout severity, high sugar intake can contribute to obesity, a risk factor for gout. The fiber in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may also help carry excess uric acid out of your body.