Gout is a purine metabolism disorder that leads to high uric acid levels in the blood, causing urate crystals to form and deposit in joints. This often results in painful, swollen, and red joints, particularly in the big toe. If left uncontrolled, gout can lead to joint deformity, kidney failure, and a reduced quality of life.

Doctor Nguyen Anh Duy Tung from the Nutrihome Nutrition Center advises people with gout to limit certain foods that can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks.

Red meat and organ meats, such as beef, goat, lamb, pork, and especially liver, heart, kidney, and brain, are high in purines, which the body converts into uric acid. Consuming too much of these foods can easily trigger a gout attack. Instead, choose lean protein sources like skinless chicken and fish. Natural ingredients like undenatured type II collagen and hydrolyzed collagen peptides support cartilage structure, helping to reduce pain and increase joint strength.

Seafood, including shrimp, crab, herring, sardines, anchovies, clams, mussels, and snails, also contains high levels of purines. Overindulging in these foods during the holidays can quickly raise uric acid levels. Individuals with gout should limit their intake of seafood, consuming it only in small portions and not frequently. Chondroitin sulfate, a key component of the extracellular matrix, helps maintain joint elasticity and can ease joint stiffness after gout flares.

Alcoholic beverages reduce the kidneys' ability to excrete uric acid while stimulating the body to produce more. Beer, in particular, can cause dehydration, promoting the formation of urate crystals in joints. People with gout should avoid alcohol entirely to prevent gout attacks. Supplementing with nutrients like eggshell membrane extract can improve joint flexibility and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Limiting sugary, fried, and processed foods helps reduce the risk of gout attacks. Photo: Trong Nghia

Limiting sugary, fried, and processed foods helps reduce the risk of gout attacks. Photo: Trong Nghia

Sugary drinks are high in fructose, which increases uric acid production during metabolism. Consuming sugary foods and beverages also contributes to weight gain and obesity, risk factors that can worsen gout. Natural ingredients like turmeric root extract are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce pain and swelling during gout flares.

Foods high in saturated fats, such as fried and oily foods, organ meats, and animal skin, increase the risk of obesity and impair the body's ability to excrete uric acid. People with gout should minimize their consumption of these foods.

In addition to limiting purine-rich foods, Dr. Duy Tung recommends that people with gout increase their intake of green vegetables and low-sugar fruits for fiber, and drink plenty of water to support kidney function in eliminating uric acid. During the holidays, individuals with gout should maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid alcohol, late nights, and stress to minimize the risk of gout attacks.

Trong Nghia