Gout is an extremely painful form of arthritis that is caused by an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines, which are naturally occurring substances in all human tissue and in many foods. Individuals that suffer from gout often find that reducing the amount of purines in their diet provides considerable relief from pain and swelling.
Meat
Organ meats, such as liver, kidney, brain and sweetbreads, are especially high in purines and should be avoided.
Seafood
Some seafood, including anchovies, sardines, herring and mackerel, also have very high purine levels and should not be included in the diet.
Other Proteins
All forms of meat, fish, poultry and beans contain at least small amounts of purines and should be limited to 6 oz.per day. Dairy products, eggs, tofu and tempeh are good alternative sources of protein.
Alcohol
Alcohol interferes with the body's ability to remove uric acid and should therefore be avoided or consumed in very small amounts.
Fluids
Consuming six to eight unsweetened drinks a day helps to flush uric acid from the body.
Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce symptoms of gout as obesity has been shown to increase the production of uric acid and increase pressure on the joints.
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