Hyperuricemia, or an excess of uric acid in the body, is typically the cause of gout, so foods high in purines, which can elevate uric acid levels, should be restricted or avoided.
Christmas is a time for feasting and merriment, but for those with gout, it can also be a time for concern Gout is a painful inflammatory condition caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood Uric acid is a waste product of purine metabolism, and purines are found in many foods, including meat, poultry, and seafood.
Turkey is a traditional Christmas dish, and it is relatively low in purines compared to other meats. However, it is still important to be mindful of your purine intake if you have gout. The OxiPur app can help you track your purine intake and make healthy choices during the holiday season.
According to the OxiPur app, a typical Christmas dinner with turkey, baked potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and parsnips contains approximately 400 mg of purines. This is more than the recommended daily limit of 200 mg for people with gout.
Here are some tips for reducing your purine intake during Christmas dinner:
- Choose lean cuts of meat and poultry.
- Limit your intake of seafood.
- Avoid organ meats, such as liver and kidneys.
- Choose whole grains over refined grains.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
If you are concerned about your purine intake, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you create a personalized eating plan that will help you manage your gout.
Can someone with gout eat lean meats like ground turkey and chicken breast frequently without having another attack of gout pain in their joints later down the road?
The answer to this question is not simple. While ground turkey and chicken breast are lower in purines than other meats, they still contain some purines. If you have gout, it is important to limit your intake of all purine-rich foods, including lean meats.
The amount of purines you can safely eat will vary depending on your individual circumstances. Some people with gout can tolerate a moderate amount of purines without any problems, while others may need to be more restrictive. It is important to talk to your doctor to determine what is right for you.
Here are some general guidelines for people with gout:
- Limit your intake of purine-rich foods to no more than 200 mg per day.
- Avoid foods that are very high in purines, such as organ meats, anchovies, and sardines.
- Choose lean cuts of meat and poultry.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
If you follow these guidelines, you can reduce your risk of having a gout attack. However, it is important to remember that there is no guarantee that you will not have another attack. If you do have an attack, it is important to see your doctor right away.
What Are Symptoms of Gout?
Symptoms of gout can start quickly, over a few hours, and can last about three to 10 days.
When symptoms of gout worsen it is called a gout attack or flare. Symptoms of gout attacks (flares) include:
- Severe flare-ups that last longer than expected usually start in the evening and early morning. Pain and inflammation peak within 12 to 24 hours and usually go away completely within a few days to several weeks, even if treatment is not received. Common symptoms include redness, swelling, tenderness, and heat in the joint. Usually affects a single joint, but inflammation can occur in several joints at the same time. Commonly occurs in the big toe, as well as lesser toe joints, ankles, and knees.
- May be accompanied by fever
Following flares, patients typically experience remissions, which can extend for weeks, months, or even years and are characterized by no symptoms.
Gout is usually caused by too much uric acid in the body (hyperuricemia). Uric acid crystals, also known as monosodium urate, build up in the body’s tissues, fluids, and joints as a result of an excess of uric acid. Hyperuricemia does not always cause gout, and hyperuricemia without symptoms of gout does not require treatment.
Risk factors for developing gout include:
- A few medical conditions, such as: Diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure (hypertension), poor kidney function, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure
- Obesity
- Overeating or prolonged fasting
- Some drugs that alter the amount of urate in the blood, like diuretics (water pills)
- an abundance of purines in the diet, which the body converts to uric acid
- Consuming large amounts of meat or seafood
- drinking liquids that have high fructose corn syrup in them (like regular sodas)
- excessive and frequent alcohol use, particularly with regard to beer, vodka, gin, whiskey, or rum
- Being male
What Is the Treatment for Gout?
The goal of treatment for gout flares is to reduce pain and inflammation. Treatment is usually short-term and limited to the duration of the flare.
Anti-inflammatory medications used to treat gout flares include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), Celecoxib (Celebrex), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and Indomethacin (Indocin)
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
- Corticosteroids
- Prednisone
- Prednisolone
- Methylprednisolone
Individuals who experience kidney stones and clusters of uric acid crystals around a joint (tophi) may be prescribed drugs like:
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
- Febuxostat (Uloric, Adenuric)
- Pegloticase (Krystexxa)
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FAQ
How much purine is in turkey?
|
ID
|
Name
|
Purine (mg)/Portion
|
|
92
|
Turkey meat, with skin
|
137
|
|
93
|
Deer meat
|
96
|
|
351
|
Pheasant
|
132
|
|
97
|
Bratwurst
|
66
|