Diet can play a major role in uric acid levels. Many foods contain purines and when your body breaks them down, uric acid forms as a byproduct. Excess levels can crystallize in the joints, causing a form of arthritis called gout. Most common in the big toe, gout results in swelling, redness, tenderness and pain. Reducing your intake of purines, along with other dietary changes, can help reduce uric acid buildup.
Decreasing Seafood and Red Meat
A study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine," or NEJM, in 2004 followed the dietary habits of over 47,000 men for 12 years to identify triggers for gout. Researcher Hyon K. Choi, M.D., Dr.P.H., and colleagues found that men who ate the most red meat and seafood had the highest risk of suffering gout attacks. None of the men in the study had a history of the condition. MayoClinic.com recommends keeping meat and fish proteins to no more than 4 to 6 oz. a day since these types of proteins contain the highest amounts of purines.
Vegetable Proteins
Traditionally, those at risk for gout were advised to avoid purine-rich vegetables as well. The NEJM study however, found that purine-rich vegetables such as peas, beans, mushrooms, cauliflower and spinach did not increase gout risk in the way that animal sources of purines did.
Reducing Alcohol
MayoClinic.com advises you to limit your intake of alcohol, which can raise the amount of uric acid in the bloodstream. Beer in particular might prove the most problematic. The clinic explains however, that when not experiencing an active attack, drinking small amounts of wine --- one or two 5-oz. glasses, will probably not hurt.
Low-Fat Dairy
The NEJM study found that increased consumption of low-fat dairy appeared to decrease the risk of gout attacks. It explains that the proteins found in milk appear to lower levels of uric acid. The article also noted a study in which eating a dairy-free diet for four weeks raised uric acid levels.
Reducing Sugar
MayoClinic.com explains that sugar might raise uric acid levels, but this remains under debate. It cannot hurt, however, to cut back on soda, cookies, cakes, candy and other sugary items. Even if it does nothing for gout, it can help control risk factors for the condition such as diabetes.
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