Gout is an arthritis condition caused by uric acid build up in the joints and connective tissues. Uric acid is produced when the human body breaks down purines, which are naturally found in tissues and everyday foods. The abnormal accumulation of uric acid results from the kidneys' inability to excrete uric acid or the body's overproduction of uric acid. Avoiding high-purine foods helps to reduce uric acid and gout attacks.
Purines in Food
Purine-rich foods include anchovies, mackerel, sardines, shellfish, scallops, mussels, organ meats, yeast extracts and game meat. Foods that contain moderate amounts of purine include shrimp, eel, beef, pork, poultry, veal, herring, trout, asparagus, spinach, mushroom and legumes. MayoClinic.com recommends that gout patients avoid high-purine foods and restrict or limit their daily intake of foods that contain moderate amounts of purine. According to a study appearing in the "New England Journal of Medicine" in 2004, the combination of high-purine foods and high protein contributes to gout. In addition, foods low in protein but high in purines such as mushrooms and legumes were shown not to increase the development of gout in men.
Fructose has been shown to increase the production of uric acid. Fructose is a simple sugar that the body uses for energy and is commonly found in fruits. The amount of fructose consumed from whole fruits is less than added sugars such as high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, table sugar, fruit juice concentrates and sucrose. Sugar sweetened beverages that contain large amounts of fructose such as fruit juices and sodas are associated with higher uric acid levels and should be avoided or restricted if the person has gout, according to MayoClinic.com.
Fatty Foods
Foods that are high in fat and cholesterol contain large amounts of purines. Fatty and fried foods such as poultry skin, butter and marbled meats should be limited as they contribute to uric acid production in the body, states Gout.com. Therefore, avoiding high fat foods can help decrease a person's risks of triggering gout attacks. According to MayoClinic.com, most gout diets are low-cholesterol and low-fat. It is recommended that no more than 30 percent of a person's daily caloric intake should come from fat, states MedlinePlus.
source : livestronge.com
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