Have you ever experienced sudden joint pain accompanied by swelling or redness? If so, you might be suffering from high uric acid levels, commonly known as gout. This condition predominantly affects men and can last for several days.
While gout cannot be completely cured, it can be managed through medication and lifestyle adjustments. Adopting a low-purine diet can help reduce the recurrence of gout-related arthritis.
What Is Gout?
Uric acid is a byproduct of the metabolism of a compound called purine. Purine is commonly found in everyday foods and beverages, such as liver, red meat, seafood, and alcoholic drinks.
When the body has trouble metabolizing purine, it builds up and becomes difficult to eliminate. This excess purine forms uric acid crystals, which accumulate in the joints and kidneys, leading to inflammation, swelling, and redness, often in the big toe joint.
Diet for Gout Patients
High uric acid levels, also known as hyperuricemia, occur when uric acid in the blood exceeds normal levels. For men, the normal range is 2.5 - 7.0 mg/dL, while for women, it's 1.5 - 6.0 mg/dL. If your uric acid levels are above these thresholds, it's considered high.
To minimize the risk of gout flare-ups, you can modify your diet by eating foods low in purines.
Recommended Foods
- Nuts and peanut butter
- Low-fat dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Eggs
- Healthy fats and oils
- Vegetables such as red cabbage, peppers, carrots, and potatoes
- Bread, pasta, and rice
- Fruits and fruit juices
- Limited coffee
Foods to Limit
- Red meat and poultry
- Seafood like crab, lobster, and prawns
- Red meats such as beef and lamb
- Beans, peas, and lentils
- Vegetables like spinach, cauliflower, asparagus, and mushrooms
- Oatmeal and oats
Foods to Avoid
- Anchovies, sardines, and shellfish
- Tuna
- Duck and goose meat
- Organ meats like brain, heart, kidney, and liver
- Sweetbreads
- Sauces made with meat
- High-fat dairy products
- Beer
When following a low-purine diet, it is essential to increase your fluid intake to help flush excess uric acid out of your body through urine. While individual hydration needs vary, adults are generally advised to drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
It’s important to note that everyone’s reaction to food differs, and certain foods not listed above may also trigger high uric acid levels in some individuals. Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid the risk of exacerbating gout symptoms.
Before making any significant changes to your diet, it's advisable to consult a doctor or nutritionist to ensure the approach is suitable for your condition.
In addition to dietary management, your doctor may prescribe medications to help lower uric acid levels. Be sure to take these medications regularly as directed to maintain healthy uric acid levels.
If you have gout, it's best to seek advice from a healthcare professional about a comprehensive gout management plan, or use the Ai Care consultation feature available on the App Store and Play Store.
Want to learn more about nutrition, food, and other diet tips? Click here!
- dr Nadia Opmalina
Family Doctor. Low-Purine Diet. Available from: https://familydoctor.org/low-purine-diet/
Harris, S. (2022). Foods to eat and avoid on a low purine diet. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322590#
Cleveland Clinic. Gout Low Purine Diet. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22548-gout-low-purine-diet
