Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Sorting Out The Myths

More importantly, how does a person begin to sort the myths from the facts and decide what to buy at the grocery store? According to the University of Washington, Department of Orthopedics:

Obesity can be linked to high uric acid levels in the blood. People who are overweight should consult with their doctor to decide on a reasonable weight-loss program. Fasting or severe dieting can actually raise uric acid levels and cause gout to worsen.

Usually people can eat what they like within limits. People who have kidney stones due to uric acid may need to actually eliminate purine-rich foods from their diet because those foods can raise their uric acid level.
Consuming coffee and tea is not a problem but alcohol can raise uric acid levels and provoke an episode of gout. Drinking at least 10-12 eight-ounce glasses of non-alcoholic fluids every day is recommended, especially for people with kidney stones, to help flush the uric acid crystals from the body.
Foods Higher In Purines

Johns Hopkins lists foods which are higher in purines

Foods very high in purines include:

hearts
herring
mussels
yeast
smelt
sardines
sweetbreads
Foods moderately high in purines include:

anchovies
grouse
mutton
veal
bacon
liver
salmon
turkey
kidneys
partridge
trout
goose
haddock
pheasant
scallops
Gout Medications

Experts at Mayo Clinic suggest that medications for gout have reduced the need for dietary restrictions, but some modification can decrease the severity or frequency of gout attacks. Dietary modification may also be preferred by people who cannot tolerate gout medications.

How To Treat Gout With Diet And Medication
More Reading:

Gout Diet: Foods To Eat
It is well known that a person with gout should avoid purine-rich foods. What should they eat though? What foods will lower the risk of another gout attack?
Gout: Avoiding Purine-Rich Foods
Along with specific prescribed medications, people with gout are usually advised to reduce their intake of purine-rich foods. That dietary recommendation begs the question, what foods are purine-rich?
Gout Prevention And Treatment
Options for preventing and treating gout.

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