The most comprehensive epidemiological study of diet for gout was completed just a few years ago. It's conclusions were that all fish, meat, and fowl were harmful; all vegetables are neutral (including those with high purine content); dairy products are beneficial; but the impact of diet on gout is small. You can view free abstracts of the medical journal papers about this study at pubmed.gov by inserting gout, diet, choi into the search block.

The most important result from this work is not a recommended diet for gout suppression. It's that diet really doesn't matter much, despite all the previous folklore that says it does. Other information has shown that what really matters is not how you eat, but how you sleep. Specifically, make sure that you do not have sleep apnea, which is the frequent prolonged cessation of breathing while you sleep, often accompanied by snoring during the breathing times. You can read about this connection at freewebs.com/goutcure , or at gout-aware.com , or in the book The Perils of Sleep Apnea - An Undiagnosed Epidemic.

If you are intent on finding a diet to suppress gout, adopt a diet that gradually reduces excess weight, because excess weight makes the occurrence of sleep apnea much more likely. But be aware that being skinny won't guarantee that you don't have sleep apnea. (Also be aware that sleep apnea becomes more likely with advancing age.) The most important thing that you can do is overcome your sleep apnea by whatever means works for you. Not only will that rid you of your gout, but it will greatly reduce your risk for the development of many life-threatening diseases.

I've had attacks of gout since I was 16 years old and was officially diagnosed at 22. I totally agree that diet is only a small factor. I'm now 40 years old. I have been in great shape weight wise and athletic conditioning wise and still had gout attacks. I have watch my diet closely and still had attacks.

You mention sleep apnea as a major cause of gout. I don't snore very often and I sleep good at night and wake up well rested. My wife is not aware of me not breathing at night.

I think it is a curse from the devil himself. Ok not really but it is a metabolism disorder that is hard to keep balanced. I find I get attacks when I begin to get into shape (working out endurance running bicking ect) once in shape not many attacks. I get attacks when falling out of shape (stop working out gaining a couple of pounds) but once in poor shape not many attacks. I get attacks after a beer or alcohol binge but not if I'm just drinking a couple a few days a week. The bottom line is the more balanced and stable my life the less attacks.

I'm being treated with 200mg of allopurinol and it works most times although changes in life style still cause minor attacks and if I forget to take my pills for a couple of days and have a alcohol binge I can count on an attack. Best things I can do when I get an attack is taking indocin, take ibuprofin, lightly message the area affected (usually my big toe) with my hands, elevate my foot, ice my foot and relax on the couch.

For those with gout attacks I want to say I totally understand your depression and frustrations. The pain, lack of control, inconveniences and did I mention throbbing pain of can drive you crazy. I really don't think your diet affects your gout all that much other than excess alcohol. The bigger factors for me seem to be changes in life weight up or down, getting in shape or falling out of shape, a string of stressful days, a string of lack of sleep. For those with attacks let me tell you I feel your pain but you can control it will medication and a balanced lifestyle.

See your doctor and get medicated . When you do get an attack try to relax becuase there is only so much you can do to shorten your attack and stressing out does not help.