Diet is very important for gout. There are good foods that you can eat without the risk of raising your uric acid levels, and there are foods that you should avoid because they increase it. Here is a diet to follow to reduce painful attacks.
drop this is chronic joint disease associated with high levels of uric acid in blood. This high uric acid level is the result of, among other things, degradation of purines. “This overload disease manifests itself “gout attacks, episodes of very acute inflammation of the joints due to microcrystals, these deposits are observed under the skin, for example, in the ear or around the joints and tendons. Continuous treatment with drugs that reduce uric acid to a certain level contributes to the melting of the crystals, their disappearance and, consequently, the disappearance of crises. This treatment is continuous and must be maintained for life.“explains Professor Frédéric Lyauté, rheumatologist at the Lariboisière Hospital (Paris). In parallel, some eating habits should be taken to reduce gout attacks. It’avoid foods high in uric acid as well as those that stimulate the production of uric acid by the body and I prefer those that promote the excretion of uric acid.
What is the diet for gout?
As Cregg reminds us, three basic principles of diet with a tendency to attacks of gout:
- meat reduction (especially offal, which are the richest in uric acid) and animal fats (sausages, butter, etc.)
- drink water to increase diuresis and excretion of uric acid from the blood through the kidneys. “Adequate hydration is required 1 to 1.5 liters per day. Staying hydrated (at least 5 glasses of water a day) can reduce the risk of gout attacks. Conversely, dehydration (eg, hospitalization, postoperative) favors them.‘, says Prof. Lyauté.
- avoiding foods that can trigger a gout attack (see below) and reduce alcohol as good as fat body (oil…). “Too much food, especially fatty food (birthday, end of the year, or communion party) can trigger a gout attack the next night.“, the specialist warns.
Besides, it is desirable to lose weightpreferably gradually (5 to 15%).
What foods are recommended for gout?
There are no truly “recommended” foods when you’re prone to gout attacks, other than drinking enough water every day to promote the excretion of uric acid by the kidneys, in favor of waters rich in hydrocarbons, such as Vichy, Poug, Valls-Saint-Jean, Saint-Yorre, Badois and/or low-mineral waters like Volvic. From “good” products What can you eat with gout:
- fresh fruits and jams
- cereals: wheat, rice, oats, etc.
- starches: potatoes, tapioca, etc.
- vegetables: green beans, leeks, carrots, zucchini.
- milk (yogurt, cottage cheese blanc) with semi-skimmed milk; and soft, soft cheeses.
white meat (chicken, veal) and eggs are considered “neutral”. but rather it is necessary to reduce them or limit their consumption. The same goes for peas, asparagus, or even cabbage.
Drinking beer or Coke is “like drinking liquid uric acid.”
What foods are prohibited for gout?
“There are three restrictions: strong alcohols (whiskey, rum, vodka, etc.)beer with or without alcohol (rich in purines) and sweet carbonated drinks (light or O% versions not affected) rich in fructose. The worst of them is whiskey-cola or cuba libre (a cocktail of rum and Coca Cola“warns Professor Lyauté. And point out that”drinking beer or sugary sodas is similar to drinking liquid uric acid“Wine is not forbidden, but alcohol consumption should be reduced because it provides unnecessary calories (100 calories per glass of wine). At best, you should follow the advice no more than two glasses of wine (units) per day and power abstain one or two days a week. “Some patients identify a wine or drink that triggers THEIR gout attack and they should of course avoid it (everyone has a different trigger: champagne, port…)”.
What foods are not recommended for gout?
In addition to the prohibited foods mentioned above, it is necessary to reduce the number of calories and animal protein lose weight and reduce – slightly – hyperuricemia (maximum 10 mg/l).
► offal : all meals based on offal should be significantly reduced or even eliminated at the beginning of treatment, in particular liver, brains, kidneys, sweet biscuits, as well as tripe, tongue, heart and sausages (sausages, etc.).
► So-called “blue” fish such as anchovies, herring or sardines should be avoided. because they are rich in purines. This also applies to carp, pike or trout, as well as salmon, cod (cod) and fish roe. This fish is also rich in omega-3s, which are good for the cardiovascular system, and therefore it is a matter of quantity. Shellfish, crustaceans and fish soups should also be reduced.
► the game, especially when it is “pheasant”, pigeon, duck, goose, meat broths. As a general rule, meals that are too meat-oriented should be avoided and lean meats should be preferred.
► Fermented cheeses.
Finally, fast is strongly not recommended for gout sufferers : Fasting significantly exacerbates hyperuricemia because it promotes the release of uric acid into the blood and thus increases the frequency of gout attacks.
Thanks to Professor Frédéric Lyauté, rheumatologist at Lariboisière Hospital (Paris). Comments collected in 2019.
Sources:
What is the diet for gout? Cedric Menard, Books on Demand Editions, 2017
Uric Acid Excess and Gout Attacks Dietary Advice Sheet Cregg, 2009.