[toc]Gout is a type of arthritis which is extremely painful. There are various reasons for this painful disease, like excessive weight, low rate of metabolic activity, genetic predisposition and the type of diet that one consumes. The cause of gout is the formation of uric acid crystals in the body and their deposition around the joints. The symptoms of gout are swelling and the tenderness of the joints. Most of the times gout attacks the big toe but it may extend to some other joints such as wrists, fingers and knees.
It is best to take preventive measures so that the gout does not afflict a person because once it sets in it’s very difficult to get rid of. At best, the intensity of the symptoms can be reduced by taking some care and treatments. The commonly prescribed preventive methods for gout are being mentioned in this article.
Effective Ways To Prevent Gout
Drink Water For Gout
One very effective lifestyle modification that one must bring about is to drink water regularly. Your aim should be to drink at least 2 to 4 liters of water per day. Drinking of plain water is the most beneficial to prevent gout.
Herbal tea and fresh fruit juices can be taken. Liquor, coffee are not included in this category, they do not hydrate the body.
Lose Weight For Gout
Excessive weight makes you a potential candidate for gout. One should make a serious effort to reduce the weight by means which are the most suitable to the individual.
But one has to be careful while losing weight. It should be lost gradually. Sudden weight loss can trigger gout attacks.
Limit Consumption of Alcohol
Uric acid is processed in the liver. The alcoholic drinks prohibit this process. Hence the uric acid levels increase.
Beer too increases levels of uric acid on one hand, while not allowing it to get cleared out of the system. All the alcoholic drinks cause dehydration which helps in building up of uric acid crystals in the human body.
Drink Lemon Water After Dinner
Lemon contains vitamin C, which helps in the production of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate reduces uric acid levels in the body. After every dinner, squeeze half a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water and drink.
You should consider drinking lemon water as an essential ritual after each and every dinner for a successful prevention of gout.
Eat Food Rich in Potassium
Foods such as carrots, orange juice, bananas, spinach and cauliflower contain potassium. Potassium in one such mineral which is a good regulator of uric levels in the body. Hence, these foods prevent gout. Look out for all the foods which contain potassium.
Reduce Purine Rich Foods
Foods like red meat, mushrooms are rich in purines. These foods break down into uric acid. Seafood and meats flair up gout. Their intake should be restricted to a maximum of a hundred grams per day if at all they must be consumed. It’s better to avoid herrings, tuna and anchovies.
One needs to identify and know the foods that contain lesser amount of purines. Low purine vegetables are onions, carrots, celery, squash, tomato and peppers. Nearly all the fruits are low in purines, so one should eat them liberally.
