Uric acid is a chemical normally found in the human body. Some people have problems metabolizing and excreting it, which can lead to medical problems such as gout. Those people are often advised to avoid foods with high amounts of uric acid, as those foods can exacerbate their symptoms.
Uric Acid
Uric acid is a chemical in the blood created in the breakdown of purines. Purines are substances naturally found in all body cells and foods. Most people have no problem metabolizing, filtering and excreting the uric acid. Some people, however, produce too much uric acid or have difficulty excreting it, leading to illness, according to Medline Plus. Excessive uric acid in the blood can to hyperuricemia, or gout. People with hyperuricemia may need to limit purine foods in their diet, because it can worsen the uric acid problem.
Purine Foods
All foods contain purines, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website. Some foods, however, contain more concentrated amounts. Foods high in purine include anchovies, bouillon, broth, consomme, goose, gravy, organ meats, mackerel, meat extracts, mincemeat, mussels, roe, sardines, scallops and yeast. Foods with moderate amounts of purines can also affect uric acid in the blood. Moderate purine foods include fish, poultry, meat, shellfish, asparagus, beans, lentils, mushrooms, dried peas and spinach. People with uric acid problems need to avoid high-purine foods and limit their intake of moderate-purine foods, according to "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy" by L. Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump.
Significance
Gout is a disorder characterized by abnormal levels of uric acid in the blood, according to "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy." Too much uric acid causes sodium urates to form and settle in the joints and small tissue. The sodium urates can destroy joints and cause chronic arthritis. The general recommendation for people afflicted with gout is to avoid high purine foods and limit intake of moderate purine foods.
Alcohol
Doctors also advise those with gout to limit their consumption of alcohol. Alcohol interferes with the elimination of uric acid, according to the Mayo Clinic. Beer, in particular, has been linked to gout attacks.
Considerations
Medications help to control uric acid build-up, decreasing the need for severe dietary restrictions for people suffering from gout, according to "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy." Drinking nonalcoholic fluids also helps to eliminate uric acid in the blood and is encouraged.
References
- World's Healthiest Foods: Purines
- Medline Plus: Uric Acid
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy" L. Kathleen Mahan, MS, RD, CDE, Sylvia Escott-Stump, MA, RD; 1996
Member Comments