The doctor told me I should lose weight to reduce my risk of gout. In addition to light exercise, I decided to cut back on what I ate for lunch. I would eat the occasional salad or a can of soup. Later, I discovered these tuna and cracker snacks that I really enjoyed for lunch. They were small, convenient, inexpensive, non-perishable, and yummy. I would alternate between soups and the tuna snacks during the week. I was losing weight and saving money. I did have some gout flare episodes but nothing major and it did no raise any red flags. One Sunday evening, we decided to go to one of the local chain seafood restaurant for dinner. With gout as an after thought, I ordered shrimp and my all time favorite scallops. I didn't think about the risk of gout until after dinner. Then, much to my surprise, I did not have a gout attack that night. I could not help but wonder if I was cured. Did I somehow eliminate gout as a factor in my life?
The following day, I decided to have a soup for lunch. I grabbed the next one from the cabinet; clam chowder, no big deal. Within four hours, I started to feel the pain in my toe flaring. Five hours later, I was in full blown gout attack mode. As with each previous episode, I thought about all I had eaten in the past weeks. Clearly, the clam chowder was not a good idea but why didn't I have an attack after the shrimp and scallops which are both high in purines. What I discovered is that clams, like other shellfish, are high in purines and can be a gout trigger for lots of people. I learned that canned seafood products, like soups and tuna, could could contain higher levels are purines making them a higher risk for gout sufferers. I determined that the clam chowder was the trigger to this latest gout attack it wasn't the only factor. The canned tuna, that I consumed for weeks, kept my uric acid levels high which explained the occasional gout flares I experienced. I got lucky not having an attack following the shrimp and scallops, but must have kept my uric acid levels elevated. When I ate the clam chowder, my body was primed for a major gout attack. That is exactly what happened.
The following day, I decided to have a soup for lunch. I grabbed the next one from the cabinet; clam chowder, no big deal. Within four hours, I started to feel the pain in my toe flaring. Five hours later, I was in full blown gout attack mode. As with each previous episode, I thought about all I had eaten in the past weeks. Clearly, the clam chowder was not a good idea but why didn't I have an attack after the shrimp and scallops which are both high in purines. What I discovered is that clams, like other shellfish, are high in purines and can be a gout trigger for lots of people. I learned that canned seafood products, like soups and tuna, could could contain higher levels are purines making them a higher risk for gout sufferers. I determined that the clam chowder was the trigger to this latest gout attack it wasn't the only factor. The canned tuna, that I consumed for weeks, kept my uric acid levels high which explained the occasional gout flares I experienced. I got lucky not having an attack following the shrimp and scallops, but must have kept my uric acid levels elevated. When I ate the clam chowder, my body was primed for a major gout attack. That is exactly what happened.
I did the same thing! I love clam chowder, and ate three cans of it, in two days, because I had few other choices in the house. I cant be sure of it, but I then had my first gout attack in my hip. For two days I was unable to walk over a few feet. I assumed at first I injured my hip running, but as quickly as the intense pain came, and then left within three days, it could not have been injury from running.
ReplyDeleteI ate one or two bites of canned tuna, too.
For me, I suspect the trigger foods are sea foods, and chocolate.
I realize now I am prone to flare ups, within a few bites almost, of a the wrong food, away from gout attack somewhere.
One oddity, I had my uric acid levels checked, and they were normal, although by the time I got a doctor appointment and into X ray, they pain had largely diminished. My ex rays were normal too.
I assume no one can explain why some folks get gout, with normal uric acid levels?
I love to eat canned foods that is why I got gouty arthritis. I am a survivor from gout. I got this disease because of my unhealthy lifestyle. The pain and inflammation are caused by uric acid crystals. To avoid this unbearable disease, you should have a healthy lifestyle. Fruits are good to eat and all other veggies. It will help to eliminate gout. I also used the vitamin shoppe tart cherry for relieving gout in a short period of time. I got rid of gout and now I don't have any problem. Keep the healthy lifestyle to prevent gout attacks.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I did change my way of eating and as a result lost 140lbs, but I made a big pot of homemade clam chowder using can clam no I can hardly walk I had to take a prednisone to get relief.
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