Although a low-purine diet is most commonly recommended for treating gout, the diet is also used for people with renal conditions like kidney stones and people who've had an organ transplant. A low-purine diet is usually used in combination with certain medications and other therapies. If your doctor recommends that you follow a low-purine diet, follow your health care provider's instructions and consult a registered dietitian to ensure that you're getting sufficient nutrients.
Identification
A low-purine diet eliminates or limits your intake of purines, which are substances found in a wide array of foods. Organ meats like liver and fish like anchovies, sardines and mackerel contain the highest concentration of purines. Herring and other fatty fish, as well as fatty seafood like lobster, shrimp and tuna also contain purines. A low-purine diet limits red meats, including pork and beef as well. Although purines are most often found in animal-derived foods, a low-purine diet usually also limits your intake of other foods that can increase your body's purine production. For example, the diet often limits or avoids oatmeal, wheat bran or wheat germ, baker's yeast, alcoholic drinks like beer and soups made with bouillon or broth.
Function
Purines contribute to the uric acid levels in your body. High uric acid levels can contribute to, or even cause, kidney stones and gout. Therefore, eating a diet that's low in purines can reduce your body's uric acid production and prevent excessive uric acid in your body. People who consume high-protein and high-purine diets can develop hyperuricemia, a condition involving an overproduction of uric acid.
Size
Short of eliminating purine-containing foods, you should limit your intake of animal-based proteins to no more than 4 to 6 oz. per day, MayoClinic.com advises. This daily serving can include beef, veal, lamb, eggs, cheeses, nuts, fish, pork and poultry. You should avoid sweetbreads, mincemeat, meat extracts, meat-based gravies, goose, anchovies, mussels, herring and sardines. Also eliminate from your diet mackerel, scallops and organ meats like liver, kidneys, heart and brains. Limit your intake of dried beans and peas to no more than two servings each week as well.
Considerations
In addition to limiting your intake of purines, people with kidney stones often need to limit the amount of oxalates in their diets. Oxalates are organic acids that can promote the formation of kidney stones and are found in plant-based foods like dark leafy greens, chocolate and nuts. Oxalates are also found in strawberries, teas, bran and rhubarb. Additionally, drinking at least eight glasses or 64 oz. each day of fluids--especially water--can help flush out uric acid from your body.
Warning
Don't start a low-purine diet without the help of a health care professional or a registered dietitian. A low-purine diet can be rather restrictive, so you must follow the diet carefully to get the nutrients your body requires. You should also beware of rapid weight loss while following a low-purine diet, because losing weight rapidly can elevate your uric acid levels. Finally, don't follow a low-purine diet unless your doctor recommends that you do so.
