Low Purine Diet for Gout – List of Foods to avoid

Low Purine Diet for Gout includes foods low in Purine that can help a person to prevent gout attacks. Learn more about effect of low/high purine foods on gout and which food to avoid for gout patient.

Gout is a condition characterized by recurrent attacks of inflammatory arthritis. It is primarily caused due to increase in concentrations of uric acid in the blood that crystallizes and accumulates in joints, tendons and the surrounding tissue. 75% of the initial attacks occur at the base of the big toe. Increased amounts of uric acid in the blood could be caused by either dietary or genetic factors. It may also be caused due to the lower levels of excretion of urate. Consumption of alcohol, sugar, meat, seafood and so on may affect the occurrence of gout.


One of the major factors contributing to the formation of gout is a substance called purine. Purines are nucleotide bases constituting the structure of a DNA and a RNA strand. There are four purines present in the human system which are adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine and xanthine. Elevated concentrations of uric acid in the blood are caused by the intake of foods that are rich in purines. When you suffer from gout or have a genetic history of this disease, it is wise to stay away or avoid to the maximum, diet rich in carbohydrates. This diet tends to recommend foods high in purine which is not advisable to people prone to gout.

List of High Purine Foods to Avoid :

Following is the list of food rich in purines that must be avoided:

  • Hearts
  • Herring
  • Mussels
  • Yeast
  • Smelt
  • Sardines
  • Sweetbreads
  • Anchovies
  • Liver
  • Beef Kidneys
  • Brains
  • Meat extracts
  • Mackerel
  • Scallops
  • Game meats
  • Salmon
  • Turkey
  • Kidneys
  • Partridge
  • Trout
  • Goose
  • Haddock
  • Pheasant
  • Bacon
  • Mutton
  • Grouse
  • Veal
  • Alcoholic beverages

While there are certain other foods that are also high in purines and may also bring about symptoms of gout they can still be consumed in moderate quantities by those who follow the low purine diet. These food items include, asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, spinach, wholegrain breads and cereals, white poultry meats such as chicken, duck and turkey and kidney and lima beans. A few others include lentils, dried peas, beef, pork, fish and seafood, oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ.

Alcoholic beverages, mainly beer, must be avoided. 1 drink 3 times a week would be appropriate. People suffering from gout must drink 2-3 liters of fluid on regular bases. Higher fluid presence helps the dilution of urinary uric acid. Protein is to be included in the diet in moderate concentrations. The source of protein could be meat, fish and poultry in limited amounts per day. Other low purine foods rich in protein are low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs. A complete dietary lifestyle turnover consisting of low fat foods and leaner meats along with foods prepared in small quantities of oil and low fat dairy products consumption is recommended.

Apart from avoiding high purine foods one must maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity can lead to increased uric acid synthesis in the body. There are other foods that do not affect the appearance of gout and these include dairy products and vegetables. Hence it is observed that both lifestyle modifications and medication can decrease uric acid levels thus preventing the formation of gout. Read Gout treatment guidelines and tips prevention of gout attacks.

Read More About :Food & Health

Comments Ahead

7 Responses to “Low Purine Diet for Gout – List of Foods to avoid”

  1. By John at 10th February, 2010

    I had my very first gout attack last week. After the attack has completely subsided I took Zyloric to get rid of the excess uric acids. I first took Tramadol to relieve the pain. You can see the complete drug study of these medicines at http://medsheaven.com/index.html

    Be sure to drink plenty of water or fluids to flush out the uric acids. Gout really Is a hassle. But if you know how to counter attack it once it appears your in the right track of taking care of yourself.

  2. By Gary at 21st February, 2010

    Fortunately I do not eat any of the foods rich in purines on your list and have not done so for a numbers of years and it seems to be working. Less meats and more veges and fruits with dietry fibre like bran etc.
    The mistake I made was going over board on the fruit, not understanding the sugar content in fruit led to my dietician removing a certain amount from my diet.
    Without realising it, I had wandered away from a balanced diet, something I must remember to do at all times is to keep to the confines of my limitations regarding my gout diet.

  3. By ravi shankar at 12th March, 2010

    pl give list of food item one should avoid with high uric acid.
    and also food one should add in his diet.
    i am indian

  4. By Behandlung von Gicht at 9th June, 2010

    Gout undoubtedly must be seen as an awful issue, my spouse is having difficulties with it for a long time now. It is quite stressful for me, witnessing an important member of the family experience sudden attacks frequently. Adhering to a recommended diet program made for prevention and making use of adequate treatment is something I consider essential. I would personally encourage everybody who at present notices first symptoms of inflammatory arthritis to by all means take this serious. Better seek advice from a health care professional as soon as possible and alter your food plan to prevent the outbreak of the illness. It is definitely no fun! Search good therapies and keep clear of purine rich meals, alcohol and the like for prophylaxis.

  5. By Behandlung bei Gicht at 9th June, 2010

    Gout without a doubt must be considered a terrible disorder, my grandfather is having difficulties with the problem for several months already. It is increasingly stressful to me, seeing an important family member and friend suffer from a sudden gout attack so often. Using a suited dietary regimen geared towards prevention and making use of good treatment options is something I consider obligatory. I would advise anybody who at present notices early signs of gout to by any means be alarmed. Better visit a doctor as soon as you can and fine-tune your food intake to prevent the outbreak of the illness. It is definitely no fun, thats for sure! You should search for promising treatment possibilities and stay clear of foods with a lot of purine, beer and so forth for prevention.

  6. By Gichtbehandlung at 14th June, 2010

    Gouty arthritis undoubtedly must be seen as an awful sickness, my own uncle has been battling with the condition for some years now. It is extremely nerve-racking to me, finding a much loved member of the family experience a sudden attack all too often. Adhering to an adequate diet program for prophylaxis and making use of the right therapy is in my opinion essential. I advise everyone who is now noticing first clues of gout or podagra to by any means be alarmed. Better seek the advice of a physician better sooner than later and correct your diet plan to prevent the outbreak of the condition. It is definitely no fun! Try to look for sensible options for therapy and steer clear of foods containing a high amount of purine, alcohol based drinks and so forth as a prophylactic measure!

  7. By shubhangi at 11th August, 2010

    i got here ….how we can rid of gout for good using proven gout remedy, without using harmful medications or drugs…..great !!!!!!:~