See what questions
a doctor would ask.
The gout diet is a medical diet developed as a part of a complete treatment plan to control the symptoms of gout. People with gout typically have symptoms that include sudden, severe attacks of pain and tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling in some joints, often the big toe. These attacks can be caused by a variety of factors, including some dietary practices, such as drinking too much alcohol, crash dieting, and eating too much of certain types of foods. These are foods that are high in purine content. Purines are substances found in some foods that break down in the body to form uric acid. In some people, a lot of uric acid will crystallize and settle into joints, causing inflammation and other symptoms of gout. There is a hereditary tendency to develop gout and it can also occur as a complication of other conditions, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Treatment of gout can include a dietary plan and medications and managing coexisting conditions. This may include special diets that help treat coexisting conditions, such as a low sodium diet for hypertension.
A gout diet generally includes a well-balanced eating plan without excessive calorie restriction with foods that are high in complex carbohydrates, low in protein, and low in fat. A gout diet also focuses on reducing the amount of uric acid in the system, which means eating a low-purine diet. Foods to avoid that are high in purine include alcohol, seafood, anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout, haddock, bacon, turkey, veal, venison, organ meats and liver. It may also be advised to avoid foods high in fructose, such as sweetened sodas, syrup and candies.
If you are experiencing symptoms of gout, it is important that you consult with your health care provider and receive and full evaluation and diagnosis before starting a gout diet because there are other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those of gout. Any diet may have the potential to be harmful to some people, so consultation with a health care provider before starting any diet plan is recommended.
Conditions associated with Gout Diet include:
The following foods may be restricted or excluded from Gout Diet:
The following foods may be focused on as part of Gout Diet:
The following are potential risks or complications of the diet (Gout Diet):
Search Specialists by State and City