Food is an essential part of human life. We are what we eat. What we eat reflects a part of ourselves, our lifestyle, and certain illnesses are also from food we eat. Foods for gout may have 2 impacts on the patient. It may either increase or decrease the amount of blood uric acid levels in the body.
Gout is a disease that is characterized by an increase in level of uric acid in the body. It is a buildup of urate crystals targeting the joint in the body especially that of the big toe. Its symptoms may include redness and inflammation of the joints. Changing parts of your diet may help you control gout attacks.
Drink plenty of fluids. Water is a natural remedy. It flushes away uric acid from the blood. Avoid too much caffeine or too much alcohol. Alcohol contains substances that are known to increase the level of uric acid in the blood. Lime juice is also helpful. Mix lime juice with a half lime in fresh water.
Remember what your mother always tells you “eat your vegetables”. Yes, eating vegetables is one important food for gout patients. Be sure to clean your veggies first by washing them in running water for at least 2 minutes.
Along with eating vegetables, try combining it with fruits. Fruits or fruit juices are great foods for gout. Just keep in mind to have a balanced diet. A diet of pure fruit or vegetables may put you at risk for certain vitamin deficiency. Put 1/3 cup of ground ginger (buy in bulk to keep the cost down) in a bathtub of water and soak for 30 minutes. This will let you sweat (a good thing) which will help eliminate the uric acid from your tissues. Be sure to rinse thoroughly as ginger could cause skin irritation. Half a kilo (one pound) of wild or black cherries, eaten as fresh fruit or drunk as juice, will help you get over a gout attack. The cherries contain anthocyanocids that dramatically reduces uric acid. Do not use commercially prepared juices as they no longer have anthocyanocids. Do not skip meals because of a loaded schedule. Instead have 4-5 small meals rather than 3 big meals in a day. This will ensure that more food is supplied to the body more frequently.
Eat foods that are low in purine. Purine is an organic substance found in specific types of food. It is known to raise the level of uric acid in the body. Plant based foods are low in purine. Low purine foods include milk and other milk products, cereals and cornbreads, and other fruits and vegetables. Foods moderately high in purines include anchovies, grouse, mutton, veal, bacon, liver, salmon, turkey, kidneys, partridge, trout, goose, haddock, and pheasant. Foods very high in purines include hearts, herring, mussels, yeast, smelt, sardines, sweetbreads. Although protein rich foods are one risk factor for gout, you should take minimal amounts to supplement your diet; to avoid any vitamin deficiency that goes along with certain diets.