Tips for Gout Diet ~ Low Purine Diet

Tips for a Gout Diet (Low Purine Diet):

* Alcohol, especially beer, should be avoided. Limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink 3 times a week.

* Drink 2 to 3 L of fluid daily. Adequate fluid intake helps dilute urinary uric acid.

* Consume a moderate amount of protein. Limit meat, fish and poultry to 4 - 6 oz per day. Try other low-purine good protein foods such as low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.

* Limit fat intake by choosing leaner meats, foods prepared with less oils and lower fat dairy products.
Aside from avoiding high purine foods, maintaining a healthy body weight is important for gout patients as well. Obesity can result in increased uric acid production by the body. Follow a well-balanced diet to lose excess body weight. Do not follow a high-protein low-carb diet as this can worsen gout conditions.
It is interesting to know some complementary and alternative treatments have been studied to combat the pain arising from acute gout attack. However, it is difficult to assess whether these modalities are helpful.
(source : mayo clinic )

# COFFEE :- Studies have found an association between coffee drinking — both regular and decaffeinated — and lower uric acid levels, though no study has proved how or why coffee may have an influence on uric acid in your body. The available evidence isn’t enough to encourage non-coffee drinkers to start, but it may give researchers clues to new ways of treating gout in the future.

# VITAMIN C :- Supplements containing vitamin C may reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood. However, vitamin C hasn’t been studied as a treatment for gout. Don’t assume that if a little vitamin C is good for you, then lots is better. Megadoses of vitamin C may increase your body’s uric acid levels. Talk to your doctor about what a reasonable dose of vitamin C may be. And don’t forget that you can increase your vitamin C intake by eating more fruits and vegetables.

# CHERRIES :- Cherries have been associated with lower levels of uric acid in studies, but it isn’t clear if they have any effect on gout signs and symptoms. Adding cherries and other dark-colored fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, purple grapes and raspberries, to your diet may be a safe way to supplement your gout treatment, but discuss it with your doctor first.

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