Shellfish is at the top of the list of bad foods for a gout diet. But why?
The terms fish, shellfish, and seafood are often used interchangeably, but here’s how I’ll use them. Animals with bones on the inside are called “fish,” and animals with bones on the outside are called “shellfish.” The word “seafood” refers to both types of animals.
Fish and shellfish all have a lot of purines, but the type of purines they have that make them more likely to cause gout Two types of purines are known to raise uric acid levels more than others — hypoxanthine and adenine. Fish are high in hypoxanthine, and shellfish are high in adenine.
Lobster is a cherished delicacy for many seafood lovers. The sweet tender meat makes lobster tails lobster rolls, and whole lobster dinners a special treat. However, for those living with gout, indulging in lobster may come with concerns. Lobster is high in purines, which can increase uric acid levels and lead to painful gout attacks in susceptible individuals.
In this article, we’ll take a science-based look at the connection between lobster and gout. You’ll find out:
- How lobster affects uric acid and gout risk
- Lobster purine content and how it compares to other shellfish
- Tips for preparing gout-friendly lobster dishes
- Safely enjoying lobster with gout through diet and medication
Understanding the lobster-gout relationship can help you make informed choices to both manage gout and still enjoy occasional lobster as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
What is Gout?
Before delving into lobster, let’s quickly cover the basics of this common form of inflammatory arthritis.
Gout arises from excess uric acid building up in the bloodstream. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of natural compounds called purines. Purines are found in many foods, especially meats, seafood, and alcohol.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood and passes through the kidneys into urine. But in people with gout, uric acid accumulates and crystallizes in joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues. This causes sudden, severe flare-ups of joint pain, swelling, and tenderness – often first seen in the big toe.
Gout flares stem from those needle-sharp uric acid crystals activating the body’s inflammatory response Limiting foods high in purines can help reduce uric acid production and the risk of painful gout attacks
Lobster Contains Moderate Purine Levels
Purines are present in varying amounts in different meats, seafood, and other foods. So what’s the purine content of lobster?
An average 100 gram serving of lobster contains around **
- 107 mg purines in Maine lobster
- 102 mg purines in rock lobster
This puts lobster in the “moderate” purine range – not as high as organ meats or sardines, but not as low as plant foods or dairy either. Compared to other popular seafood, lobster has less purines than crab or scallops, but more than shrimp or tilapia fillets.
So lobster’s purine content alone does not make it completely off-limits for a gout diet, but does put it on the caution list, especially if eaten in large portions.
Lobster Increases Gout Risk
Research provides more insights into lobster’s impact on gout.
One major European study tracked gout risk related to meat and seafood intake in over 46,000 men over a 12 year period. It found that eating shellfish like lobster and crab was associated with a higher incidence of gout.
Other studies demonstrate that seafood intake in general correlates with increased blood uric acid levels and greater odds of recurrent gout attacks. And research also shows that adopting a low-purine diet reduces gout symptoms and the need for medication.
So while lobster is not the highest purine food, science confirms it does raise uric acid and pose a heightened risk of flares for those prone to gout. This is important to keep in mind when enjoying lobster.
Lobster vs. Other Shellfish for Gout
How does lobster compare to other popular shellfish in terms of gout management? Here’s a purine comparison per 100 gram serving:
- Shrimp – 105 to 170 mg purines
- Crab – 150 mg purines
- Lobster – 102 to 108 mg purines
- Scallops – 130 to 140 mg purines
- Clams – 140 to 150 mg purines
As you can see, shrimp and lobster tend to be relatively lower in purines than crab, scallops, or clams. This suggests favoring shrimp and lobster may be somewhat less likely to trigger gout issues compared to other shellfish.
However, all shellfish have moderately high purine levels, so no variety is totally risk-free for those with severe gout. Overall moderation and avoiding overindulging is key when picking any shellfish.
Tips for Preparing Gout-Friendly Lobster
If you don’t want to fully give up enjoying lobster, there are preparation tips that can make lobster dishes more gout-friendly:
- Stick to modest 3-4 oz servings of lobster meat.
- Choose lobster bisque soup or salad with lobster chunks rather than whole lobster.
- Avoid rich lobster dishes with heavy cream sauces which add saturated fat and calories.
- Steam or boil lobster instead of frying or sautéing to reduce purines.
- Swap out butter for heart-healthy olive oil when cooking.
- Avoid lobster roe, tomalley, and liver which are very high in purines.
- Pair with low-purine sides like vegetables, salad, or rice instead of pasta or potatoes.
- Stay well hydrated to help flush uric acid through kidneys.
- Take any prescribed uric acid-lowering medication as directed.
Being mindful of portions, preparation, and all dietary intake can allow enjoying lobster more safely. But always check with your doctor about specific diet advice.
Treating Gout is Key
The most important factor in managing gout is getting proper treatment. If uric acid levels stay uncontrolled, even moderate purine foods can trigger flares.
Prescription medications that lower uric acid, like allopurinol, febuxostat, and probenecid, are usually needed long-term to prevent gout attacks. Other drugs like steroids, colchicine, or NSAIDs treat sudden flares.
With your doctor’s guidance, these medications allow keeping uric acid in check and make it less likely that occasional higher purine foods will set off gout trouble.
The Bottom Line
So what’s the verdict on lobster and gout? Lobster delivers nutritional benefits like high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. But the moderate purine content can contribute to elevated uric acid and increase the odds of painful gout flares.
Rather than totally avoiding lobster, those with gout can take a balanced approach:
- Eat modest portions of lobster only occasionally, such as once a month.
- Stick to recommended gout medication and dietary precautions.
- Choose gout-friendlier preparation methods like steaming.
- Pair lobster with low-purine foods and stay hydrated.
- Pay attention to how different foods affect your gout. Avoid any that seem to trigger flares.
With smart precautions, awareness of servings, and proper gout treatment, enjoying lobster and managing gout pain don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Work with your doctor to determine the diet and treatment plan that keeps gout under control while still allowing you to savor lobster’s delicious taste and nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about indulging in lobster with gout? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Is lobster high in purines?
Lobster contains moderate levels of purines, around 100-110 mg per 100 gram serving. This is not as high as some meats and fish, but higher than most plant foods.
What shellfish is lowest in purines?
Shrimp tends to be slightly lower in purines than other common shellfish varieties like lobster, crab, scallops, and clams. But all shellfish have moderately high purine levels.
Is lobster healthier than other shellfish?
Compared to crab or scallops, lobster may be somewhat better for gout due to its lower purine content. But no shellfish is risk-free for those prone to gout.
Can you eat lobster with gout?
People with gout don’t necessarily have to avoid lobster entirely. Having it occasionally in modest portions, along with gout medication and dietary precautions, can make eating lobster possible.
Is lobster OK on a uric acid reduction diet?
Strict low-purine diets for gout avoid shellfish like lobster altogether. But lobster in moderation may be tolerated as part of a well-managed gout treatment plan. Consult your doctor.
Does cooking method change lobster’s purine content?
Yes, research shows steaming or boiling lobster can reduce purines compared to frying, roasting, or sautéing. Cooking method impacts gout-friendliness.
Is lobster roe higher in purines than lobster meat?
Yes, lobster roe (eggs) and tomalley (liver) are very high in purines compared to lobster tail or claw
Moderate Purine Fish and Shellfish
Seafood classified as having a moderate (or medium) level of purines include:
- Snapper, cod, trout, perch, carp, eel, octopus, and squid are some of the fish that you can eat.
- Shellfish — Shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, and clams.
There are 80 recipes in the “What to Eat for Gout” eBook, along with gout diet plans and lists of foods to avoid.
42% OFF Sale!
High Purine Fish and Shellfish
Seafood classified as having a high level of purines include:
- Fish — Anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, and fish roe (eggs).
- Shellfish — Mussels and scallops.