Thursday, June 14, 2007

Foods that cause Gout

Gout, a kind of rheumatoid arthritis, gets aggravated when sharp crystal shards of uric acid collect between joints and cause painful inflammation. The body breaks down foods containing purines into uric acid, usually a neutral but unnecessary chemical that is then filtered out of the bloodstream by our kidneys. Certain proteins, as well as beans and vegetables, contain such high levels of purines that these foods can cause gout.
In general, foods that cause gout are high in fat, which is why dietary recommendations for people with this kind of arthritis advise that less than 30% of their calories come from fat. Proteins with large concentrations of purines include meat and dairy products. Fish, like mackerel, sardines, oysters, mussels, and scallops, should be avoided, as well as red and white meat like poultry, pork, and beef. Sweetmeats, or organ meat, like kidney, heart, or liver, are especially bad for those suffering from gout. Even foods related to meat, like chicken or beef broth, caviar, and bouillon might produce high levels of uric acid.

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