Among the different forms of joint disorders, gout is arguably the most painful condition that affects the feet and big toe joints. There is enough reason to believe that the condition comes about as a result of surplus uric acid in the body. It is because of this that dieticians believe that the best gout diet is made up of anti-uric acid food groups.
The moment the uric acid level rises above normal, crystals will form and accumulate in the base joints of your feet and big toes. These crystals, which are quite uncomfortable, are what causes the unbearable pain, especially when they get lodged deep inside the joints. The right course of action therefore would be to avoid uric acid causing food groups (read proteins) and encourage the consumption of lots of veggies and fruits.
High protein consumption can trigger the formation of this condition, be it from legumes, red meat, or chicken. This is because proteins contain some compounds identified as purines, which are broken down to form the acid. Most proteins contain this compound, but eggs and certain dairy products derived from skim milk have been identified to contain low quantities, hence can be used as sources of proteins in your special diet.
Consuming liquids that elevate the pH levels in the body is another important preventative concern. Keeping the pH system of the body high is an effective strategy, although less known, for people who want to prevent an onset of the condition. Some sodas and certain juices have very low pH levels to a point that they facilitate easy crystallization. Consuming high alkaline drinks can counter crystallization by raising the pH system.
Taking water, for example with some bit of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice added to it, can be a great alkaline drink to help elevate the pH levels. Green tea and carrot juice are equally effective alkaline drinks, and so is black cherry juice, which is the most effective of all because of its high pH value.
Some categories of foods have also been known to help keep the condition at bay as they work by dissolving the crystals. Potassium rich foods are a perfect example. Bananas, cantaloupes, kiwi, and apricots are good examples of potassium rich foods. Some dieticians actually recommend taking between 3,000 and 4,000mg of potassium daily so as to keep the disease at bay.
Other supplements can be vitamin C supplements and coral calcium supplements, all which are effective in regulating and destabilizing the crystals, thus keeping the disease at bay. You might also want to limit your alcohol intake if you want to control the disease. In place, fresh fruits such as berries and cherries can do wonders in ensuring you have a stable pH system that will fight off the purines.
Water is life, or so the saying goes. Consuming sufficient amounts of water is highly recommended to complete any perfect gout regime. Water is known to boost alkalinity, but it also plays an integral role in keeping the whole body hydrated. When the whole body is hydrated, it will be in a good position to flush out harmful toxins as well as the unwanted uric acid crystals.
Designing an effective Gout Diet can be very tricky. There many things of things to keep in mind and forgetting any one thing can leave you in pain. For a helpful site that provides all the tips you need on Gout Diet, visit the author’s site.