How to Prevent Gout

Gout is the painful inflammation of a single joint, caused by a build up of uric acids. Even if you have a family history that predisposes you to gout (6 to 18 percent of us), you can make many lifestyle modifications to prevent it.

Things You'll Need

• Drinking Waters
• Strawberries And Cherries

Instructions

1. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. It leads to hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels), which causes gout.

2. Maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity leads to increased toxins and metabolic by-products that need to be filtered, increasing your risk.

3. Watch out for high-purine foods, which break down into uric acid: sardines, herring, organ meats such as kidney and sweetbreads, shrimp, anchovies, mushrooms, and dried legumes.

4. Avoid exposure to lead in your drinking water or household environment.

5. Eat cherries and strawberries. Some studies indicate these are helpful anti-gout foods.

6. Maintain a healthy blood pressure. Hypertension predisposes you to gout.

7. Review your medicines with your doctor. Some interfere with the body's ability to remove uric acid and can trigger gout: diuretics, cyclosporine, niacin, levodopa and low doses of aspirin.

8. Drink lots of water, to flush the uric acid out of your body so that it does not have the opportunity to collect in one of your joints.

9. Get plenty of rest, and don't put unnecessary stress and strain on any of your joints.

Tips & Warnings

• For more information on gout, call the Arthritis Foundation at 1-800-283-7800.

• For recipes and information on what to eat to prevent gout, call [phone] and order the "Gout Haters Cookbook."

• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other healthcare professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.