John Myers
If too much uric acid accumulates in the blood over a long period of time, gout can develop – a disease that can lead to joint inflammation with severe pain. Patients then often hear that they should avoid purine-rich foods.
What is a low purine diet?
Purines are naturally occurring components of the cells, which are found in high concentrations in animal foods in particular. Innards and skin in particular are rich in purines: if you eat fried chicken with a crust, for example, you absorb a relatively large amount of purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid and excretes through the kidneys. This is not a problem for healthy people. However, if the metabolism is disturbed, the excess uric acid is deposited in crystal form in the joints, among other things: gout occurs. A healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle can have a positive effect on the disease. Avoiding obesity, getting enough exercise and drinking little alcohol also prevent metabolic syndrome, which is a risk factor for gout. The following applies to food: Vegetarian recipes make sense, since plant-based foods are, with a few exceptions, low in purines – but you do not have to eat a completely meat-free diet.
How strict does a low-purine diet have to be?
As a rule, doctors no longer advise gout patients to follow a strict low-purine diet. An overall balanced diet is often sufficient to get elevated uric acid levels under control and to reduce the risk of an acute gout attack. Food and drinks with a high purine content can also be on the menu, but in moderation and only occasionally. If the diet – as recommended for alkaline recipes – consists of 80 percent alkaline foods, everything is fine. The situation is similar with a low-purine diet. If you make exceptions from time to time, you are on the right track overall and do not have to worry about a permanently elevated uric acid level.
Which foods are low in purines?
In addition to fruits and vegetables, recommended foods for gout include milk, dairy products, nuts, bread, eggs, potatoes, vegetable oils, lean meat and skinless fish. Also drink plenty of water – mineral water also provides important minerals – and tea. Coffee, like alcohol, is allowed in moderation unless your doctor advises otherwise. Since some types of vegetables contain more purines than others, you should never just eat a few types. Spinach and asparagus, for example, are richer in purines, as are legumes. In fish, herring, tuna and sardines have higher purine levels than other species. If you want or need to strictly follow a low-purine diet, you should obtain a chart of the purine content of foods and keep a food journal.
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