Are tomatoes restricted in treating gout?
Asked by on Sep 21, 2009
in Health Conditions
My elderly mother has gout and she was told she can't eat tomatoes. Are tomatoes high in purines or can she eat them?
In the past, plants of the nightshade family - tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers - were eliminated to treat osteoarthritis, but there is no scientific basis for that. Gout is a form of arthritis that is due to a build up of uric acid. The diet therapy for gout limits foods that are very high in purines, which purines breakdown to uric acid. The foods to limit for gout include organ meats; game meat; large portions of all meat especially beef, pork and lamb; anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel and scallops; meat gravies and extracts; and beer. Research suggests that purines from vegetables and soy products are less likely to cause gout than the purines in animal foods. Water and other fluids flush out uric acid and so drink plenty of that, and lose weight when needed because that also helps.
The side effects of allergy medications keep some people from using them. Natural remedies can be a great alternative, but some are more effective than others.