How to Reduce Gout Symptoms (inflammation)

Gout sufferers know that swelling, redness and inflammation can be extremely painful when a flair-up occurs.

Gout is a condition that results from a build-up of uric acid in the blood which in turn forms crystals that settle in the joints causing the pain, redness and swelling.

There are some dietary changes you can make to help reduce a gout flair-up.

Things You'll Need

• dietary knowledge of which foods cause gout to flair-up

Instructions

1. The main foods to avoid to help prevent gout symptoms are shellfish, red meat, high fat dairy and beer. All these foods convert to uric acid.

2. Other foods to avoid are clams, oysters, mussels, anchovies, herring, mackerel and scallops. Liver and sweetbreads are on the avoid list too.

3. If you love meat try to limit your protein intake each day to no more than 5oz. Alternate your protein choices with beans. Beans are a wonderful substitute since they offer muscle relaxing magnesium plus calcium which is good for building bones.

4. Gout seems to be more prevalent in overweight people so if you are overweight and have gout then it would be ideal for you to get to a healthy body weight.

5. A good balanced diet for gout sufferers to follow is one high in complex carbohydrates, low in protein and low in fat.

Tips & Warnings

• Alcohol especially beer can cause a gout flair-up

• Lose weight if you are overweight to reduce the symptoms of gout