If you are suddenly experiencing severe pain that is accompanied by swelling in your big toe, especially after you have been sick or sustained an injury, it could be a sign of gout.
A type of inflammatory arthritis, gout is a general term that is used to describe a buildup of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a chemical that is naturally produced to help the body break down foods that contain organic compounds known as purines. Under normal conditions, the body produces uric acid to assist with the breakdown of purines, and the kidneys cleanse it out of the blood and it is passed out of the body with urine. However, if there are high levels of uric acid, it can accumulate in the body. Eventually, the acid will turn into urate crystals, which can collect around the soft tissues and joints, causing inflammation, or gout.
Gout affects approximately 4 percent of adults in the United States, which may seem like a small number, but it equates to about 8 million people. Men are more likely to develop the condition, as are those who have a family history of gout. Those who eat foods that are high in purines are also prone to developing gout.
If you think that you are prone to developing gout and you want to prevent the condition from actually setting in, you’re going to want to avoid foods that are high in purine, as eating high amounts of them can significantly increase your risk of developing this condition.
Here’s a look at 17 gout-causing foods that you are going to want to nix from your diet.
1. Salmon
Though salmon is high in several valuable nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, vitamin B3, protein and vitamin D, it also contains high amounts of purines, which are the leading cause of gout. If you want to gain all of the health benefits of salmon, but want to avoid developing a case of gout, eat small amounts of this fish. Eaten in small portions should not lead to an acute attack; however, if you eat too much, it can certainly spark an attack of this condition, which can lead to severe pain and discomfort.
