Since carbohydrates help increase the excretion of
uric acid, carbohydrates should be about 50% of
total calories consumed. To accomplish this, persons
should eat six to ten servings a day of breads, pasta,
cereals, and other starchy foods, and five servings of
fruits and vegetables daily.
Fat consumption should be limited to 30% of total
calories consumed.
Cholesterol intake should be limited to 300 milli-
grams (mg) per day.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is essential.
Alcohol, especially beer, should be avoided.
It is important to stay hydrated by drinking eight to
ten eight-ounce glasses of fluids, preferably water,
every day.
Dietary management of gout is centered around
reducing uric acid in the body and managing condi-
tions that often occur in people with gout, including
diabetes,obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pres-
sure, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). A
diet of foods low in purines is recommended for most
people with gout, although it is not possible to com-
pletely eliminate purines from the diet. The Arthritis
Foundation recommends that people with gout learn
by trial and error which foods cause problems and
what their personal limits of these foods are.
Laura Rall, a nutrition researcher at Tufts Uni-
versity in Boston, advocates the trial and error method
of developing a gout diet. ‘‘Begin by eliminating foods
in the high-purine category, while reducing your
intake of foods in the moderate-purine category, If
you don’t have gout attacks after trying this, you
may add more foods from the moderate category, or
occasionally try a food from the high category. Using
these guidelines, you may be able to determine a safe
level of purine consumption and enjoy some of your
favorite foods without experiencing (gout) attacks.’’
FunctionThe function of a gout diet is to lower uric acid
levels in the blood by eating less meat that is high in
purines, which increase uric acid levels in the blood.
Uric acid is a waste product formed as purines break-
down in the body. By reducing uric acid levels in the
blood, people with gout usually experience a decrease
in pain and swelling in joints afflicted with the disease.
Without treatment, gout can lead to joint damage and
disability. Gout is also associated with an increased
risk of heart disease and kidney disease., according to
the American College of Rheumatology.
BenefitsThe main benefit of a gout diet is a decrease in the
pain, tenderness, swelling, redness, warmth, and
inflammation of joints associated with the condition,
and prevention of joint damage and disability. It also
improves the quality of life in gout sufferers by helping
prevent repeat attacks.PrecautionsThe gout diet is designed for people who have gout
or who may be prone to developing gout since it can be
genetically inherited. People who do not have gout or
have no predisposition to the condition do not need to
be on the diet. There are no precautions associated with
the diet. However, since the diet recommends a severe
curtailment or elimination of meat and seafood from
the diet, people on or planning to go on the diet should
consult a dietician in addition to their physician or
rheumatologist. People who eliminate meat and sea-
food from their diets should make sure they are getting
adequateproteinand other nutrients found in meat.
This may include adding vitamin, mineral, and other
nutritional supplements to the diet, similar to those
taken by non-vegan vegetarians. These may include
iron,calcium,zinc,vitamin D,riboflavin, vitamin B-12,
vitamin A,iodine, and Omega-3 and Omega-6 amino
acids derived from non-fish sources, such asflaxseed
oil, evening primrose oil, and borage oil.RisksThere are no known risks associated with a gout diet.QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR Will I need to take any vitamin, mineral, or other
nutritional supplements while on a gout diet?
How do you feel about the trial and error
approach to individualizing a gout diet as
recommended by the Arthritis Foundation?
Do I have any risk factors associated with gout,
such as a high body mass index, high blood
pressure, or chronic renal disease?
Can I drink wine or other alcoholic beverages
while on a gout diet?
Will being on a gout diet effect my energy level?
Will an exercise routine enhance my gout diet?Gout diet