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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Questions and Answers About Gout
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Low-Purine Diet
- Renal Dietitians: A Low-Purine Diet: Relief From Gout and Kidney Stones
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Food for Gout Sufferers
Approximately 8.3 million Americans have gout -- a type of painful arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposits in the joints and soft tissues, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center 13. Gout usually affects the joints of the big toe, but the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows may also be affected. Part of the treatment for gout focuses on preventing attacks by reducing the amount of uric acid in the body through a low-purine diet 4.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
The Role of Uric Acid
Uric acid is a waste product created when your body breaks down purines -- substances found in animal proteins. Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood and travels to the kidneys, where it is eliminated from your body through your urine. If the kidneys do not properly eliminate uric acid or there is a high production of uric acid, it can lead to high levels of uric acid in the blood -- a condition referred to as hyperuricemia. If the excess uric acid in the blood forms crystals, it can lead to gout. Because uric acid is formed as a byproduct of the breakdown of purines, many experts recommend those with gout limit the amount of purine in their diet.
- Uric acid is a waste product created when your body breaks down purines -- substances found in animal proteins.
- Because uric acid is formed as a byproduct of the breakdown of purines, many experts recommend those with gout limit the amount of purine in their diet.
What to Skip
List of Foods High in Uric Acid
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An average daily diet contains approximately 600 to 1,000 milligrams of purines, according to health care provider Litholink. A low-purine diet restricts purine intake to between 100 and 150 milligrams per day. High-purine foods, which contain between 100 and 1,000 milligrams of purine per 3-ounce serving, include:
- anchovies
- bacon
- codfish
- herring
- haddock
- mussels
- sardines
- scallops
- shrimp
- veal
- venison
- organ meats
Broths, bouillons and gravies are also usually high in purines. Medium-purine foods are allowed only when gout is under control, when you may eat one serving per day. Medium-purine foods include
- beef
- lamb
- pork
- mushrooms
- oats
- spinach
- asparagus
- cauliflower
- whole grains
- any fish or shellfish not on the high-purine list
- An average daily diet contains approximately 600 to 1,000 milligrams of purines, according to health care provider Litholink.
- High-purine foods, which contain between 100 and 1,000 milligrams of purine per 3-ounce serving, include: * anchovies
* bacon
* codfish
* herring
* haddock
* mussels
* sardines
* scallops
* shrimp
* veal
* venison
* organ meats Broths, bouillons and gravies are also usually high in purines.
What to Eat
Eggs are also considered low-purine foods, but you should limit your egg consumption to three or four per week.
What to Drink
Gout and Shrimp
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Staying properly hydrated helps the kidneys flush excess uric acid out of the bloodstream. Drink 64 to 128 ounces of fluids each day. At least half of this fluid should be water. Avoid alcohol, especially beer, as well as beverages that are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, such as:
- soda
- sweet tea
- sweetened coffee drinks
- Staying properly hydrated helps the kidneys flush excess uric acid out of the bloodstream.
Related Articles
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Questions and Answers About Gout
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Low-Purine Diet
- Myrtue Medical Center: Low Purine Diet - Gout Diet Treatment
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Low-Purine Diet
- North East Medical Services: Low Purine Diet - Gout Prevention
- Benn CL, Dua P, Gurrell R, et al. Physiology of hyperuricemia and urate-lowering treatments. Front Med (Lausanne). 2018;5:160. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00160
- George C, Minter DA. Hyperuricemia. [Updated 2019 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
- Ramirez-Sandoval JC, Madero M. Treatment of hyperuricemia in chronic kidney disease. Contrib Nephrol. 2018;192:135-146. doi: 10.1159/000484288
- Wilson FP, Berns JS. Tumor lysis syndrome: new challenges and recent advances. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2014;21(1):18–26. doi:10.1053/j.ackd.2013.07.001
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Uric acid. Reviewed May 17, 2017.
- Khanna D, Fitzgerald JD, Khanna PP, et al. 2012 American College of Rheumatology guidelines for management of gout. Part 1: systematic nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapeutic approaches to hyperuricemia. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012;64:1431–46. doi: 10.1002/acr.21772
- Coburn BW, Bendlin KA, Sayles H, et al. Target serum urate: Do gout patients know their goal? Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2016;68(7):1028-35. doi:10.1002/acr.22785
- Wiederkehr MR, Moe OW. Uric acid nephrolithiasis: a systemic metabolic disorder. Clin Rev Bone Miner Metab. 2011;9(3-4):207–217. doi:10.1007/s12018-011-9106-6
Writer Bio
Lindsay Boyers has a Bachelor of Science in nutrition from Framingham State College and a certificate in holistic nutrition from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She is also a licensed aesthetician with advanced training in skincare and makeup. She plans to continue on with her education, complete a master's degree program in nutrition and, ultimately, become a registered dietitian.