People having higher levels of purines and proteins in their diet are more susceptible to getting gout. Medical experts blame it on gout food. Researchers and medical professionals are now categorizing food in order to help sufferers maintain their health. This article lists down common misconceptions, gout food, and the effects of modern diets.

Should I avoid high-purine foods altogether?

When in moderate level, purine in the body is harmless. Actually, anyone can eat what he or she wants as long as it is in moderation. In most cases, too much intake of one type of food results in certain conditions.

How can I take enough calcium and proteins if dairy products are considered gout food?

Although low-fat dairy products help reduce the risk of gout, ordinary dairy products can trigger gout. Get your daily calcium and protein from low-fat dairy products, which are now widely available in supermarkets.

Here is a list of purine gout food that is known to worsen existing gout condition, but not necessarily cause initial gout:

- Cauliflower - Spinach - Mushrooms - Peas - Beans

Here are purine-foods that are considered safe when eaten in moderation:

-Veal -Bacon -Liver, kidneys -Turkey -Goose -Salmon -Anchovies -Trout -Scallops

Below are foods particularly high in purines and should be avoided:

-Sweetbreads -Yeast -Herring -Sardines -Mussels -Heart

Which diet should I take?

There are diets now formulated just for those who have gout conditions. High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets have been found to significantly aid in weight loss but also found to increase the risk of gout because of their high purine content. Those looking into treating their gout and losing weight at the same time should lessen the extremity of their high-protein diet.

Stay away from acidic foods as these are known to trigger gout. You may be cutting out meat (i.e.: if you are getting into a vegetarian or fruitarian diet), but may be resorting to sweets and acidic fruits. Most sweets (natural or artificial) are acidic, so avoid eating too much pastries and sweetbreads. Cranberry is one example of a highly acidic fruit. Almost all kinds of oils are considered to be acid forming, even olive oil is considered acidic. Other oils include canola oil, sesame oil and sunflower oil. Probably the worst types of acidic foods are alcohol, especially beer, since they are originally from wheat and barley.

Other foods to avoid are those that act as natural diuretics such as linden, green tea and stinging nettle. These are gout food that can encourage uric acid crystals to form because they tend to drain the system of water.