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Low Purine Diet
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is a low-purine diet?
- A low-purine diet consists of foods which are low in purine content. Purine is a substance that is found in foods and is produced naturally by the body. Purines are broken down by the body and changed to uric acid. The kidneys normally filter the uric acid and the uric acid leaves the body through the urine. However, people with gout sometimes have a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid may build up because the body makes too much. It may also build up because the body does not get rid of enough uric acid through the urine. High levels of uric acid can cause urate crystals to form in the joints. The buildup of these crystals causes swelling, which is called a gout attack or gout pain.
- Gout attacks may be treated and prevented with medicine. Making dietary changes such as limiting the amount of purine may also help to treat and prevent gout attacks. Other lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and increasing liquids may also help to prevent gout attacks.
How can I make low-purine foods a regular part of my diet? Limiting the amount of purines in your diet is a change that may help you to manage gout. You may need to make these changes part of your daily routine. Changing what you eat and drink may be hard at first. Think of these changes as "lifestyle" changes not just "diet" changes.
- Choose a variety of items on this diet to avoid getting tired of having the same items everyday. Keep the purine food list in your kitchen to remind you about the diet.
- Carry the purine food list with you to remind you about the diet when you are away from home. Tell your family or friends about this diet so that they can remind you about it.
- Ask your caregiver, a dietitian, or a nutritionist any questions you may have about your diet plan. A dietitian or nutritionist works with you to find the right diet plan for you.
What foods contain purine? A variety of foods contain purine in different amounts. Below is a food list that shows which foods are high, medium and low sources of purine. Avoid the high-purine foods. Ask your caregiver how to fit the medium-purine foods and the low-purine foods into your diet.
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High-purine foods:
- Anchovies.
- Roe (fish eggs).
- Fish such as herring and mackerel.
- Sardines.
- Scallops and mussels.
- Game meats, like goose, duck, and partridge.
- Organ meats: brains, heart, kidney, liver, and sweetbreads.
- Meat extracts.
- Mincemeat.
- Broth, bouillon, and consomme.
- Gravy.
- Yeast (baker's and brewer's) taken in the form of a supplement.
- Anchovies.
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Medium-purine foods:
- Fish and shellfish not on the high purine list above.
- Poultry foods not on the high purine list above.
- Beef, lamb, pork, and other red meats not on the high purine list above.
- Dried beans, peas, lentils.
- Asparagus.
- Mushrooms.
- Spinach.
- Cauliflower.
- Green peas.
- Oats and oatmeal.
- Wheat germ and bran.
- Whole grain breads and cereals.
- Fish and shellfish not on the high purine list above.
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Low-purine foods and beverages:
- Eggs (limit to 3 to 4 per week).
- Nuts and peanut butter: limit if trying to lose weight.
- Low-fat and fat-free cheeses and ice cream.
- Pudding.
- Milk: skim or 1% (limit to 24 ounces per day).
- Cream-style soups made with low-fat milk.
- Soups made without meat extract or broth.
- Vegetables not on the lists above
- Fruits and juices.
- Breads and cereals: low fiber, white flour, or refined grain types.
- Pasta and macaroni.
- Rice.
- Soda.
- Coffee and tea.
- Gelatin.
- Cake and cookies in small amounts.
- Fats and oils in small amounts.
- Sugar, syrup, and other sweets in small amounts.
- Eggs (limit to 3 to 4 per week).
What other guidelines should I follow?
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Low-fat foods: Gout increases your risk of heart disease so you should limit the amount of fat in your diet. Choose low-fat foods such as skim milk, low-fat cheeses, fruits and vegetables. Choose foods that are baked instead of fried.
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Liquid intake: Increase the amount of liquids you drink to at least 10 to 12 (eight-ounce) cups of liquid each day. Increasing the amount of liquids you drink each day can help your body to get rid of extra uric acid.
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Alcohol: Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, especially beer. Beer contains a high amount of purine. Other drinks that contain alcohol are hard liquor (such as whiskey, vodka, gin and rum) and wine. Wine may not increase the amount of uric acid in your blood as much as other types of alcoholic drinks. Talk to your caregiver before drinking alcohol.
- Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight, you should lose weight slowly. Losing weight can help to decrease the amount of stress on your joints. Losing weight may also decrease levels of uric acid in your blood. Regular exercise can help you lose weight if you are overweight or maintain your weight if you are normal weight. Talk to your caregiver before starting an exercise program.
Risks: Following a low-purine diet may help to decrease gout attacks. If you do not limit high-purine foods and alcohol, you may have gout attacks more often.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your diet. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.