Guys--

I need gout/diet information-- particularly what foods are BENEFICIAL when possessing such a nasty condition.....Seems like there are SO MANY foods to avoid (i.e. beer, wine, shrimp, etc.)--just wondering which ones would be safe and helpful...I heard that any blue/red berries are great--any more suggestions/resources?

Thanks..

Hi, BobLaz
I don't know much about Gout, but I did a little research on the web, I went to the mayo Clinic web site, and from what I gather, gout is a form of arthritis which affects primarily the big toe, but can affect other joints as well. The flareup usually comes on very suddenly, overnight, is very painful and lasts between 5-10 days, and can take up to 2 weeks before the joint feels back to normal.
I didn't check out all the different sites, but the Mayo clinic information seems to suggest that maintaining a healthy weight, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure low, and avoiding organ foods, such as liver...(why anyone would choose to eat liver is beyond me anyway certain fish like mackerel, and avoid excess alcohol are key to helping to keep the flareups at a minimal. Medications can be prescribed to lessen the pain, and ward off further attacks.
Here is the link if you are interested.
gout
It didn't have any information on foods that are beneficial, but I am a member of a web site provided by my insurance for my arthritis, and I'm going to check it out for more info. I'll get back to you.
I hope your gout gets better, I know how horrible it can be.

[This message was edited by LVLF on 06-06-03 at 10:23 AM.]

Here are a few web sites about food and gout that i hope will help answer your questions.
http://www.go-symmetry.com/health/gout.htm

http://www.seekwellness.com/gout/faqs_about_gout.htm

LV, Samantha--

Thanks for all of this very helpful info--still a lot of contradictory information, but it creates a slightly clearer picture....It's the NASTIEST form of arthritis (nothing comes CLOSE), but manageable to some degree...

Any other info, please pass along..thanks again

please, let me have this so called nastiest form of arthritis.
ill let you have my rheumatoid arthritis.
its starting to attack my lungs now.

yes, gout is very very painful, but usually dosent last for more than 10 days.
at least you dont have to look forweard to hip relpacements and life in a wheelchair, and the possibility that you cannot have kids due to the severity in your hips.



gout results from a build up of uric acid, which forms crystals that deposit in joints.
here is a good site that lists the amount of purine (which can increase uric acids) in foods.

http://www.dialadietitian.org/resources/handouts/goutdiet.html#purine

hope this helps.

mattlynda, no kidding. When I first got hit by RA, the doctor misread the lab results and told me i didn't have RA. I told him that I must then be dying, that it had to have been bone cancer or something. I was so bad that for a while I couldn't walk, hold anything in my hands, sleep, or even eat because the joints in my jaws were affected, along with about 30 other joints throughout my body. He took another look at the lab results..the problem was they needed to put a new ink cartridge in, and realized that I indeed had RA, and was promptly sent to a RA doctor. Lots of meds later I'm doing much better, but I'm distressed to hear that yours has moved to your lungs. What is the treatment for that? More Prednisone??? My, it just ain't fair!

yes, more drugs.
and more drugs.

the good news is that it dosent seem to affecting my lungs too much, more like a scouting party to see if my immune system likes them or not.

heres hoping my lungs have trained snipers.

Hang in there, sister.