Hyperuricemia treatments can be done in two ways: diet and medication. Purine is a major factor that contributes to the development of hyperuricemia. Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds, which are produced inside the cells of your body, and can also come from other sources outside of your body. These purines are metabolized into uric acid. Excessive purines may increase the uric acid level in your blood and cause hyperuricemia. Hence the consumption of high-purine foods should be limited in order to keep your uric acid level in the normal range (2.4-6.0 mg/dL for female and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL for male).
High concentration of purines is mainly found in meat and meat products. Vegetables also contain purines, but they usually have lower concentration. For the most part, high-purine foods are also high-protein foods, including internal organs like kidney and liver, fish like mackerel, herring, sardines and mussels, and also yeast. Below is a list of foods with different purine levels:
| Foods with very high purine levels (up to 1,000 mg per 3.5 ounce serving): | Anchovies, Brains, Gravies, Kidneys,Liver, Sardines, Sweetbreads |
| Foods with high and moderately high purine levels (5-100 mg per 3.5 ounch serving): | Asparagus, Bacon, Beef, Bluefish, Bouillon, Calf tongue, Carp, Cauliflower, Chicken, Chicken soup, Codfish, Crab, Duck, Goose, Halibut, Ham, Kidney beans, Lamb, Lentils, Lima beans, Lobster, Mushrooms, Mutton, Navy beans, Oatmeal, Oysters, Peas, Perch, Pork, Rabbit, Salmon, Sheep, Shellfish, Snapper, Spinach, Tripe, Trout, Tuna, Turkey, Veal, Venison |
(Source: whfoods.org)
Healthier lifestyle, like weight loss and regular exercises, is also recommended since it shows positive impact on urate reduction. Urate is a salt derived from uric acid, which can build up in body tissues or crystallize within the joints when the body cannot metabolize uric acid properly. Fat reduction can contribute to a better elimination of uric acid. Be careful about strenuous exercise, because it may raise uric acid levels. A good hydration and consumption of food with beneficial properties (such as low-fat dairy products, foods rich in vitamin C and flavonoids) are equally important. Dehydration may lead to excessive crystallization of uric acid, so drinking plenty of fluids may help prevent it. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which act as diuretics and lead to dehydration.
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