Hans Guerin Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I've been a steady over-consumer of coffee for 20 years. I do fine without it; I can get up and be active without it. I've even quit without wild cravings twice. Both times I quit however, I got a massive gout attack. Both times I was without coffee for about 3 months. I've only had one other attack without coinciding with the complete abstention from the morning brew. I've learned that excess Uric acid builds up and forms crystals in the joints and I can say from personal experience that it is excruciating pain. My podiatrist informed me that a diuretic like coffee can prevent the build up of Uric acid by continually flushing out the kidneys. Now I eat a paleo diet and abstain from alcohol but I haven't chanced the return of the gout by quitting coffee again.. Despite really liking it, I would like to remove coffee from my diet again but don't want the gout flare. Is it safe now that I'm on a paleo diet? Can I just drink a ton of water everyday which is not ideal because if I don't eat a ton of food I get too skinny. Is there a trusted source to learn more about the food/gout connection? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted September 9, 2013 Moderators Share Posted September 9, 2013 Here is a good overview of gout: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/ Everything here sounds reasonable to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Guerin Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 Thanks for the link Tom, The advice in the Q&A warned that high purine foods cause gout attacks and if you are susceptible to gout to avoid them. These include: most organ meats (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, and brains), game meats (usually wild animals feeding on natural diets), cold water fish with high EPA/DHA omega 3 EFA's (Anchovies, herring, mackerel, and sardines), asparagus and scallops. I have read in many many paleo/primal and Weston Price people that these are the very foods we should eat consistently for perfect health and longevity. That said is it better to limit these paleo friendly superfoods or keep slugging down diuretic drinks like coffee and tea? My wife and I are considering having our first child. She has already given up caffeine but in my reading it mentioned that in pre pregnancy preparation that I ought to too. It also says to consume as much of I can of the very foods that are on the high purine list that supposedly causes gout. So sacrifice the nutritional foods to eliminate coffee? Sounds like a catch 22. Any Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted September 10, 2013 Moderators Share Posted September 10, 2013 Yeah, I noticed that the high purine foods included many stars of the paleo world. I don't know the right thing to do here. You might consider a consult with Dallas Hartwig or another member of the Whole9 consulting team. My logic would be to avoid the high purine foods for several months to see if that helps and then maybe after a period of stability, maybe introduce sardines or liver and see if symptoms flare again. Disclosure: I eat liver and sardines regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Guerin Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheba-kitty Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Not that doctors always have the best answers... Unfortunately... But what has your family doctor said about your gout in the past? Does non-caffeinated tea help avoid the gout? Maybe that is part of the solution? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Guerin Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 I'm not sure coffee is sacred for holding off gout attacks; its just a powerful diuretic and simply flushing out uric acid keeps it at bay. My problem is that ever since completely devoting myself to paleo eating, I've got to eat a lot to maintain my current skinny stature and excess water or non caffeinated liquid might fill me without caleries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournegirl Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Are you sure about coffee being a diuretic if you are a regular drinker? I have been hearing that new research shows the effect diminishes greatly if you drink it consistently. And is cocoa any good? It lowers blood pressure due to some sort of diuretic effect I believe, related to theobromine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Guerin Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Sounds like a win win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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