Food Info

[beerdini]

I think chances are that I'm about be diagnosed with gout based on some of the symptoms that I have and lifestyle consumption choices that I make. I started investigating some of the do's and don'ts online and I've found some conflicting information that I'm hoping go find answers for.

One page in particular where I've found most of this info has avoid/increase sections for types of food and there were some odd contradictions in there.

First of all, I'm a beer drinker. Bar hopping is part of my social life and I understand that it is very bad for gout, so that is going to have to change. I saw some info that vodka and rum were ok for gout, as long as it was in moderation, but several other sites said no alcohol at all. As long as any alcohol is taken "in moderation" would it matter if an occasional beer is consumed? What is the word on vodka and rum?

That leads to question 2. One site said all but fruit flavored soda was ok. That sounds like outright bad information considering everything else associated with drinking soda. I'm just relating this back to question 1 in that if vodka and rum are ok, I'm looking for some mixed drinks for moderation.

Finally, I'm a big pineapple fan and found a site saying that fresh pineapple was bad but canned was ok. Once again this sounds completely wrong based on everything that I know. I've always heard that fresh is always better, and the processing that takes place for canned ruins more things than helps.

Thanks for any info and chances are I'll be back with more questions.

[thurstonb]

Hi Beerdini

I sent an earlier response, but I put a link in it to my gout story on my webpage apparently in breach of the rules. So I'm not sure if that response is in the trash or not.

Anyway, what I was saying is that as gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the system, which has probably built up over time, then no one particular food is going to be the problem for you. The issue is that you have high uric acid levels (hyperuricemia) and they need to be lowered so that you don't have gout problems.

If you can get your uric acid levels down then like I say, eating a particular food such as beer (!) won't trigger a gout attack. Get the levels down, and then you should be able to eat what you want (in moderation).

As far as alcohol goes, it is my understanding that alcohol itself may be affecting your gout problems, more so than what particular type of alcohol it is. I actually stopped drinking entirely when I had gout and that did seem to help.

So you need to look at the overall picture, rather than worrying about this particular food or that particular drink.

Are you aware that damage is being done even when you don't have gout attacks as such. If the uric acid crystals are forming then they are being deposited in your joints and causing damage - even when you are not having a gout attack. This can lead to permanent damage (as I can personally attest).

Cheers and good luck
Brett

[Dan]

Best advice is to give up drink altogether. I did and like smoking after a year or so you don't miss it or the social life. What does it say about you if you need a drink to ahve a good time?