10 Types of Food That Cause Gout

Gout is associated with high levels blood uric acid or hyperuricemia. Although most individuals with hyperuricemia do not have gout, they can develop the condition later on if high uric acid levels are not treated early.

When purines are broken down during the digestive process, they are converted to uric acid. Although all foods contain purines, there are a some that have higher content. Below are ten types of food that can be responsible for excessive uric acid in the body.

Processed meat such as bacon, hotdogs, lunch meats, sausages, and cooked ham are very rich in purines and should be avoided by people suffering from gout.

Although organ meats have iron and B vitamins, they are also high in protein and purines. Included are liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and brain. Sweetbreads, pate, and foie grass also contain high amounts of purines and therefore should be avoided.

Fish, especially sardines is rich in purines, containing 480mg uric acid per 100 grams. Other fish to consume only in moderation include anchovies, halibut, herring, mackerel, salmon, trout, and tuna since these have fairly high amounts of purines.

Shellfishes also have relatively high purine content like lobster, scallops, brown shrimp, oysters, and crayfish.

Poultry that are rich in purines are turkey, duck, pheasant, grouse, and goose. Therefore, only a limited amount of these should be eaten. Chicken is moderately high in purines and it can be eaten in moderate amounts.

There are various types of meat that are purine rich. These are pork belly, veal fillet, veal chop, venison, beef fillet, beef chuck, roast beef, sirloin, pork belly, rabbit meat, and lamb.

There are some vegetables that contain more uric acid than others. This includes mushrooms, peas, asparagus, spinach, and cauliflower. Beans and legumes are especially high in proteins. Navy beans, kidney beans, lima beans, and lentils are rich sources of purines.

Dairy products which are high in fat can also contribute to the development of gout. Examples are milk, cream, cheese, and eggs. Alternatives are skimmed milk and low fat cheese.

Alcohol, particularly beer must be minimized or better yet, done away with.

Miscellaneous foods such as brewer’s yeast, baker’s yeast, yeast extracts, and gravy are high in purines as well.

While there are foods that can cause gout, there are also specific foods that are used in conjunction with gout treatment. These are vita C, wild cherry, alfalfa, apple cider vinegar, and garlic.

September 17, 2011 | Filed Under Social Campaigns 

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