Gout is an extremely painful arthritic condition that produces hot, red, and swollen joints in the foot. Even if a person goes to bed without any pain or symptoms, he or she may awake with a painful episode. Lower intra-joint pressures of the foot and even cooler temperatures allow uric acid crystals into the joint where white blood cells attack them to try to dissolve them with potent enzymes. Sadly, they die, spread the inflammation, and cause enzymes through the affected joint. Normally, the body dissolves uric acid into the blood and is removed by the kidneys.
High blood uric acid levels can usually be handled by taking the proper medication. However, reducing the consumption of foods that trigger gout attacks and contain high purines, which are the precursors of uric acid, is strongly recommended. It is a natural way to help combat what is often as debilitating as rheumatoid arthritis.
You don’t have to totally eliminate certain foods, but minimize their consumption to once a week or, better yet, just once in awhile to help your gout condition.
These are some of the major food culprits:
Some Meats
Red meats such as beef and lamb contain the mentioned purines, so a white meat such as chicken and pork are better choices.
Turkey
Although technically classified as poultry, turkey is not the best choice because it is relatively high in purines. Duck is acceptable.
Organ Meat
If you absoluely crave a liver and onions dinner, treat yourself but only on occasion. Liver, brains, tongue, kidneys, and sweetbreads are particularly high in purines.
Fish and Seafood
A piece of fresh fish is normally encouraged by many health experts, but certain types of seafood can be challenging for gout patients. Scallops, herring, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies are high purine foods that can cause gout flareups and/or allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, hands or throat; skin reactions; digestive distress; and difficulty breathing. Swap the above out for lobster or shrimp if you crave a dinner from the sea.
Fried Foods
So many people love fried foods, but they are dreadful for gout patients and can bring on a gout episode as well as helping to cause obesity, which is another setback.
Certain Vegetables and Fruits
Some vegetables and fruits have high amounts of purines, they do not trigger gout like high-purine animal products do. However, you may want to limit dried beans, peas, asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, cauliflower, prunes, dates, pears, plums, and cherries.
What Doctor Should You See?
A good example is Dr. Victor F. McNamara, DPM, a native of Central Florida, who is a Foot and Ankle Specialist and a Podiatrist Orlando FL region. He has remained in his favorite area and uses his talents in his private practice as well as being the founder and managing partner of Florida Foot and Ankle Group PA in Orlando, as a staff podiatric physician in Lake Health Care Center Inc. in Eustis, and as the co-medical director of the federal-approved rehabilitation facility in Lake County.