A common lab parameter that is elevated on the blood report is uric acid. Most people understand that it is associated with a condition called gout, and I get asked measures that need to be taken to lower uric acid naturally.
I thought I would list out some common foods you can and cannot eat when it comes to uric acid.
Understanding Gout And Purines
Some of the food items we eat have a compound called purines in them. Purines are also produced naturally in our body.
Purines contain carbon and nitrogen, and when purine-rich foods are broken down in the body, uric acid is generated.
When we eat too many purine-rich foods, our bodies can’t break them down well enough, which causes uric acid levels to rise.
Gout occurs when there is a lot of uric acid in the blood. It is a condition where uric acid crystals are deposited within a joint, making them quite painful. The most common site gout occurs is your big toe.
People with high levels of uric acid must be very careful about what they eat and how they eat. Aside from staying away from foods high in purines, you should also avoid eating too much fat, which can make it harder for your body to get rid of uric acid.
Having a healthy diet and taking the right medicines could help you keep your uric acid levels at normal levels.
What Food To Avoid If You Have Gout
There are some foods that are notorious at increasing uric acid. I have listed them in the box below.
- Alcohol
- Red meat
- Organ meats like liver and offal
- Fish, particularly sardines, prawns, mussels, and lobster
- Sugars foods and drinks that contain fructose syrup
- Refined and processed foods like maida, white bread etc
Similarly, there are foods that you can eat that contain purines, but keep in moderation. Excessive consumption of these foods can also increase your uric acid and worsen your gout.
- Oats
- Green peas
- Cauliflower
- Beans
- Kidney beans
- Asparagus
- Spinach
- Lentils
What You Can Eat In Gout
Here are some of the foods you should eat to keep your uric acid levels normal. These are safe foods to eat if you have a history of gout.
- Whole grain foods
- Yogurt (curds) and similar dairy products – low in fat ideally
- Eggs
- Potato
- All other vegetables other than those listed earlier
- Nuts
- Oils
- Chocolate (yum!)
- Vitamin C may help reduce gout attacks
- Coffee is safe to drink
- Cherries have been found to lower the chance of developing gout.
- Water – increase your water intake to lower your uric acid.
Closing Remarks
A simple change in your diet can help you keep your uric acid levels under control.
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