Diet and Nutrients to Prevent Gout Attacks

Gout is type of arthritis where inflammation and severe pain is caused by deposits of urate crystals in and around joints. Gout can both be caused and cause kidney problems.

The naturopathic approach to help gout includes diet and nutrition, lifestyle changes and herbal medicines. Today well look at the research on diet and nutritional aspects.

In the past, a great emphasis on completely avoiding foods high in purines, now research shows a moderate intake of purine-rich foods does not carry a risk of gout.

In 2008 a 7 year long research project explored the likelihood of gout among almost 29 thousand men who were all regular runners. The results showed any form of alcohol increased gout, as did a high meat diet, and being overweight. On the positive side the men who ate more fruit (at least 2 pieces a day), and those who were fitter generally were less likely to have gout.

More research revealed sugar sweetened soft drinks, foods high in fructose also increased the risk of gout.  Foods now shown to help gout are diary foods, fruits, vegetables, foods high in Vitamin C and folate. Folate (Folic acid) is one of the B vitamins. Foods high in folic acid are dark green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, and citrus fruits.

There is often confusion about fructose. The damage occurs when fructose has been added to or is part of a processed food, e.g. in soft drinks. Fructose in fruit does not cause the same damage.

Water is the best drink; at least 2 liters a day is recommended to avoid attacks of gout.

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