What is Gout? - a Quick Explination

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis that causes excruciating pain and swelling triggered by the crystallization of uric acid within the joints. Estimates from the ACR report that more than 8.3 million Americans suffer with gout. Medical evidence reports that long-term gout management requires treatment with medications that lower urate levels by inhibiting uric acid production (allopurinol) or increasing uric acid excretion (probenecid) through the kidneys.

How to Reduce Gout with 12 Tips

Gone are the days when diet prescriptions were only about what ‘not to eat’. Fortunately modern day diet prescriptions focus just as much on what needs to be included in the diet. Quite similarly the diet for reducing raised uric acid has undergone many changes. Here are top 12 tips which will help reduce uric acid levels.

1. What is interesting to note is that not all purine rich foods can increase uric acid levels in the same way. Therefore, not all purine rich foods need to be avoided as a rule.
   
2. A vegetarian diet with enough fruits and vegetables can increase the alkalinity in the body.
   
3. It is for the same reason (foods that increase alkalinity in the body) that the hitherto forbidden items—peas and beans—are now recommended. One can include peas and beans in moderate amounts when prescribing a low uric acid diet.
   
4. Similarly, cauliflower and spinach (increase alkalinity in body), which were previously on the list of forbidden items can now be consumed.
   
5. Tea and coffee is permitted in moderation (2 to 3 cups in a day).
   
6. Vitamin C rich foods are helpful. Which means that one should include guavas, oranges and Indian gooseberry (amla) in a uric acid reducing diet.
   
7. Bromelain, the enzyme present in pineapple, is also of value in such a diet.
   
8. Low fat dairy products reduce the risk of gout and can be used freely in a uric acid lowering diet.
   
9. Cherries are the new wonder food that can alleviate symptoms.
   
10. Besides red cherries, blueberries and other berries are also beneficial in reducing the pain caused by gout.
    
11. Adequate water intake can do wonders in this diet. It also prevents the formation of uric acid crystals, which lead to the symptoms of gout.
    
12. Losing weight will definitely helpful in reducing the symptoms of gout which is joint pain.

*Data Courtesy: Nutritionist Neelanjana Singh, Heinz Nutri Life Clinic, Delhi, www.hnfi.org