Purines occur naturally in the body and are present in most foods. To be certain, ingesting some purines is good for you. They are usually contained in protein-rich foods. However, some foods contain very high levels of purines, and when consumed regularly, could lead to conditions like gout.
Purines and Gout
When purines are broken down in the body, uric acid is formed. This is a good thing. Uric acid keeps the blood vessels in good shape and acts as an antioxidant. However, too much uric acid from ingesting too many purines can cause the uric acid to crystalize and accumulate in the joints when the kidneys cannot process it all. This condition is called gout and can cause inflamed, painful and swollen joints.
Very High Purine Foods
If you have kidney problems, heart disease or just want to maintain a balanced diet, avoid foods with very high purine levels. "Very high" is considered to equal about 1,000 mg. purines for each 3.5 oz. serving size. Foods that fall into this category include liver, mincemeat, sardines, mussels, kidney, anchovies, mackerel, herring, sardines, gravies, sweetbreads, brains and other organ meats.
High Purine Foods
Some foods do not quite fall into the "very high" category, but they still should be avoided or eaten only in moderation if you are looking to watch your purine intake. These foods contain between 5 and 100 mg of purines for each 3.5 oz. serving size. Examples of foods in this category include lamb, lima beans, chicken, cauliflower, bouillon, beef, bacon, crab, goose, halibut, duck, ham, lobster, mutton, oatmeal, oysters, pork, sheep, rabbit, spinach, tripe, veal, venison, tuna, trout, shellfish, salmon, peas, kidney beans, carp and calf tongue.
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