Most fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. Potassium regulates electrolytes in the body and has the ability to get rid of uric acid crystals from the blood. Potassium-rich fruits are bananas, avocados, apricots and cantaloupe. High-potassium vegetables include spinach, potatoes, asparagus, beets and pumpkin.
Purines are mostly found in foods which are high in protein and fat content. Vegetable oils, greasy burgers and fatty fish are all high in purines, so you should avoid fried foods and naturally fatty produce. Basically, high purine content is found in almost all kinds of food: pork, beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, oysters, scallops, creams, eggs, peas and beans. But there are ways to have a low-purine diet.
Drink several glasses of water everyday. 8-10 glasses daily is ideal. Water dilutes uric acid (a cause of gout) and rids them from the body. Cloudy urine means you have high acid content in your body and this is not a healthy sign. Clear urine suggests that you are properly hydrated and well on your way to good health.
Reduce calorie intake to maintain a healthy weight. However, avoid fad diets or very low calorie diets as rapid weight loss can precipitate gout.
Juice one small or half a medium-sized beet root, greens and all. Add a quarter bitter gourd, cut length-wise. This juice is very potent and should not be taken too frequently, especially if you are not accustomed to beet. Take it only once, or twice a week at the most.
Cherries and strawberries have shown to have a particular helpful effect on gout so these foods should be eaten every day on the anti-gout diet for the prevention of gout.
Excessive alcohol consumption increases uric acid levels in the blood since alcohol disrupts the disposal of uric acid from the body.
Diuretics, which are medications prescribed to help dispose of excess body fluids resulting from certain diseases like hypertension, edema, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Include lemon juice at lunch for cleansing. Lemon juice is filled with vitamin C and antioxidants to help flush your body from unwanted uric acids. Couple the drink with a hearty salad and meal using tofu to replace red meat or chicken, finely chopped fresh garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
A low-purine diet and medications are commonly used to treat gout. Purines are mostly found in foods which are high in protein and fat content. For breakfast, take low-fat protein foods. High-protein foods that are low in fat have been found to be safe.
Consume a moderate amount of protein. Limit meat, fish and poultry to 4 - 6 oz per day. Try other low-purine good protein foods such as low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.
Zone dieting definitely works, people testify to that fact. Many have felt increased body and mind energy levels after only a week with it. Even those with existing medical conditions have seen an improvement in their physical wellbeing. This program is not a weight loss strategy, it is a health strategy. Watch the food you eat and watch the lifestyle you live. Do that, and better yet, let zone diet help do that for you.