Gout and a Purine Diet

What is gout?

Gout, also known as metabolic arthritis, is a congenital (present at birth) disorder of the uric acid metabolism. This causes higher uric acid levels and uric acid flows in the blood stream. Gout happens when uric acid crystals build up and surround joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues. The result is inflammation and pain.

How common is gout?

Out of every 100,000 Americans, gout affects more than 800. Men between the ages of 40-50 are more at risk for gout. Women generally don't suffer from gout until after menopause. Gout is rare in children and young adults.

What is purine?

In a nutshell, purine is a white, crystalline compound that includes uric acid, caffeine, and xanthine. The human body produces purines and purines are found in food. Gout is the result of too many purines in the body. So, care must be given if someone is prone to gout attacks.

What foods are purine-enriched?

Purine-enriched foods come in three levels: high purine, moderate purine, and low purine. Gout sufferers should strictly adhere to the low purine food list and restrict all foods on the high purine food list to maintain a life without gout pain.

Low purine foods

The following foods can be eaten if you are at a healthy weight. If you need to lose some weight, you shouldn't eat those foods that will make weight loss difficult. These foods include: coffee, cream-style soups made from low-fat milk and without meat extract or broth, eggs three or four times weekly, fat-free or skim milk, fats and oils in limited amounts, fruits, gelatin, juices, low-fat cheese, low fiber, nuts, pasta, peanut butter, soda, sugar, syrup, tea, vegetables not included in the moderate and high purine food lists, water, and white flour.

Moderate purine foods

You should limit these following foods to one serving daily when your gout is in control. If you are experiencing a gout attack, limit these foods. Moderate purine foods include: asparagus, beans, beef, broth, cauliflower, dried beans, fish, gravy, lamb, lentils, mushrooms, oatmeal, peas, pork, poultry, soups with meat, spinach, wheat bran, wheat germ, whole grain foods, and yeast.

High purine foods

These foods should be completely avoided to prevent gout attacks. These high purine foods include: alcohol, anchovies, broths, duck, goose, gravy, herring, mackerel, mincemeat, mussels, organ meats (brain, heart, kidney, liver, sweetbread), partridge, roe, sardines, and scallops.

Menu tips to remember

A gout sufferer should get at least 50% of daily calories from carbohydrates. This can be done in a healthy manner by eating 6-10 servings of bread or starches and 5 fruits and vegetables each day. It's important to remember a low fat diet will help limit your fat intake to less than 30% of your daily calories.

Gout and a purine diet

Gout can be successfully managed with a low purine diet. You should also maintain a healthy weight and get plenty of rest. Other options include pharmaceutical medications that promise harmful side effects and come with no guarantee of gout relief.