Antithiamine Diet to Help with Gout

Gout was once known as "the rich man's disease," as it was considered an indulgent life to eat high fat foods, such as well-marbled meat, and drink an excess of alcohol. Gout is better understood now as a build-up of uric acid crystals around the joints that are not successfully metabolized by the kidneys. Fatty foods and alcohol may exacerbate or bring on a flare-up of symptoms, so following a diet to avoid these triggers will help alleviate symptoms. A diet with foods containing thiaminase enzymes (which degrade thiamine, vitamin B1) may be contraindicated for gout sufferers.

Purine as a Contributor to Gout

• Consider eating foods that are low in purine. Purine is the substance that is broken down by the kidneys into uric acid. The less purine in your diet, the less the kidneys have to work and the less chance there is that the uric acid will build up in the joints. Avoid foods such as organ meats, fish eggs and fish processed in oil, as well as beer and high-fat dairy, such as cheeses.

Water and its Efficacy in Gout

• Drink plenty of water to facilitate excretion of uric acid and to stimulate the kidneys to process any purines adequately. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day or substitute juice or nonfat milk. Coffee is not recommended to replace any of these servings due to its diuretic effect, and alcohol is also not an option as it is high in purines.

Antithiamine Diet

• Foods with antithiamine properties contain enzymes that may destroy or interfere with thiamine absorption in the body. Thiamine (vitamin B1) contributes to cardiovascular and peripheral nervous system functions and is found in oatmeal, seeds, kale, asparagus, potatoes, eggs and liver. Conversely, foods that have enzymatic thiaminase (antithiamine) properties include processed fish and meat, coffee, some berries, such as blueberries and currants, and cabbages.

Antithiamine Diet Contraindication

• Although an antithiamine diet, includes some healthy, plant-based components, it promotes food items that can exacerbate gout and are high in purines, for instance, processed fish and meat. Coffee also has antivitamin B1 (thiamine) characteristics which are contraindicated in a diet to lessen the symptoms of gout. While blueberries and currants have antioxidant properties and cabbage is high in fiber, someone who suffers from gout should incorporate an overall healthy, well-balanced diet of low-fat protein, high-complex carbs and low fats in their dietary regimen rather than focusing on a strict, antithiamine regimen alone.