What Are Purine Rich Foods And Purine Levels of Diet?

Purine is a compound present in foods, which in turn breakdown to form uric acid in the body. They are organic compounds, which are necessary for circulation and blood vessel health. Purine is one of the essential building blocks of the DNA and RNA. Excessive production of purine in the body or increase in intake of purine rich foods result in hyperuricemia. This is a pre-gout condition. Continuous intake of purine rich foods raises the incidence of developing gout. Gouty arthritis is accompanied by the accumulation of monosodium urate crystals, especially in the tendons, tissue and cartilage. It is of two kinds, namely primary and secondary. The latter is a result of certain underlying complications, such as leukaemia, inborn errors of purine-pyrimidine metabolism and metabolic syndrome. Prevention of gout is possible by dissolving the uric acid crystals or by increasing teh elimination of uric acid through urine.

Purine Containing Foods And Purine Rich Diet

Dietary purine accounts for half the uric acid in the system. Excess of uric acid in the body results in certain conditions, namely, diabetes, gouty arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. Purine rich foods are not recommended in individuals with high uric acid levels. A low purine diet is especially recommended in case of those suffering from gout. Most of the animal foods are high in their purine composition. High purine foods are game meats, anchovies, venison, turkey, bacon, veal, mussels, trout, cod fish, herring, brain, kidneys, liver, gravy, sweet bread, sardine, meat extract, mackerel, herring, scallops, fish roe, consommé and yeast. Certain foods that contain a moderate amount of purine in the regular diet are oat meal, beef, wheat germ, poultry, pork, crab, seafood, fish, oyster, lobster, wheat bran, dried beans, peas, shrimp, lentils and vegetables such as cauliflower, green peas, asparagus, mushroom and spinach. The above said foods are better avoided, in case of high uric acid levels.

The purine from vegetable sources is not as harmful as those from animal sources, such as meat, fish and poultry. Highly processed and refined foods are also ideally avoided. Stock cubes and meat soups are also avoided. Certain foods that can be considered for those on a low purine diet are low fat dairy products, fresh cherries, bananas, blueberries, celery, strawberries, tomatoes, parsley, cabbage, chocolate, bread, cereals and pineapple. Caffeinated beverages such as cocoa, tea, chocolate and coffee along with vitamin C rich foods (tangerine, red cabbage, orange, mandarins, potatoes, red bell peppers) are also beneficial in case of low purine diet.