Gout can be described as a kind of arthritis, in which sharp crystal shards of uric acid collect between the joints. This results in an inflammation of the joints, which causes immense pain. The reason for the occurrence of gout is that either the body produces too much uric acid or is not able to eliminate the acid in significant quantities. Though some amount of uric acid is present naturally in the body, its quantity increases to a great extent if a person eats a lot of food items that contain purine, a chemical that is broken down, by the body, into uric acid and then eliminated. This is why the people suffering from gout are advised against having food items that are rich in purines. In the following lines, we have provided a complete list of foods that cause the disease, along with the other major causes of gout.
List Of Foods To Avoid With Gout
The consumption of following food items can aggravate the problem of gout.
Foods Very High in Purines
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Heart (Chicken / Mutton)
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Herring
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Mussels
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Yeast
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Smelt
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Sardines
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Sweetbreads
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Mushrooms
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Cauliflower
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Asparagus
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Peas
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Spinach
Foods Moderately High in Purines
Other Foods
Major Causes of Gout
Hereditary
If a person has a family history of gout, then he/she is at more risk of suffering from the disease.
Obesity
Obesity or overweight is a major reason why many people suffer from pain in their joints. This is because when a person is obese, there would be more tissues available for the breakdown of purine into uric acid, which might lead to the excess production of the acid and thus, cause gout.
Over Consumption of Alcohol
Those who consume alcohol frequently and excessively are prone to the development of gout. This is because alcohol becomes a hindrance for the removal of uric acid from the body, which leads to gout.
Enzyme Defect
Defect in an enzyme that prevents the body from breaking down purines results in gout. This condition is especially seen in those, who inherit this disease from their elderly family members.
Some Medications
Consumption of certain medicines also results in high levels of uric acid in the body fluids.
Over Consumption of Red Meat
People following a diet rich in red meat are at a high risk of developing the problem of gout.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is linked to high levels of uric acid. This is the reason why many people having high blood pressure often suffer from pain in their joints.