Question of the Week   Q:  Are there foods or drugs I should avoid if I have gout?   A:  At one time, gout was considered to be a disease of the rich who ate fine foods and drank fine wines.  It is actually a disease of your metabolism which allows uric acid to accumulate in the body and deposit in joints and cause arthritis.  You want to avoid foods that could contribute to this build-up including red meat, seafood, caffeine, alcohol, high fat dairy products - and increase your fluid and whole grain consumption.  Some drugs can contribute to gout symptoms - thiazide diuretics or water pills, and low dose ASA used for heart health.  Diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and untreated high blood pressure can also adversely impact gout.     For more information ask your Family Health Care Pharmacist.  If you have any questions you would like answered, please email your questions by clicking on ‘Contact Us’.