Purine rich foods to avoid with gout are described in this results part of the High Purine Foods study. That link summarizes the report, and introduces the study: Purine-Rich Foods, Dairy and Protein Intake, and the Risk of Gout in Men.

Purine Rich Foods To Avoid With Gout: Study Results

There are several tables and charts that display data from the study. I will focus on those parts of the results that identify purine rich foods to avoid with gout, compared to purine rich foods that have little, or no, effect on gout.

Purine Rich Foods Study: Base-Line Characteristics

The average daily intake of alcohol tended to decrease with increasing intake of protein or dairy products. A history of hypertension was slightly more common among the men in the highest quintile of protein intake than among the men in the other quintiles

Purine Rich Foods Study: Consumption of Purine-Rich Foods

In each purine-rich food group, the study looks at the incidence of gout against rising purine intake for each group as a whole, and individual food items.

Increased meat intake was associated with an increased risk of gout. Among individual meat items, only the intake of beef, pork, or lamb as a main dish was associated with an increased risk of gout. By the way, you might like to read more about pork and your uric acid diet.

Increased seafood intake was associated with an increased risk of gout. Increased intake of all individual seafood items was associated with an increased risk of gout.

The level of consumption of purine-rich vegetables was not associated with the risk of gout. Similarly, intake of individual purine-rich vegetable items was not associated with the risk of gout.

Purine Rich Foods Study: Consumption of Dairy Products

The incidence of gout decreased with increasing intake of dairy products. The inverse association was limited to the consumption of low-fat dairy products. Noticeably skim milk shows around half as much gout in men drinking 2 or more 8oz glasses per day, compared with less than one glass per month. A similar inverse association was observed between the level of consumption of low-fat yogurt and the risk of gout. There were no other individual dairy products the consumption of which was significantly associated with the risk of gout.

Purine Rich Foods Study: Protein Intake

Total protein intake and animal-protein intake were not associated with the risk of gout. The highest vegetable protein eaters were 73% less likely to get gout, compared to the lowest vegetable protein eaters.

Purine Rich Foods Study: Body-Mass Index or Alcohol

Alcohol intake had no effect on the results. Body mass index only made a difference with seafood eaters, where the risk of gout increased with lower weight.

Purine Rich Foods Study: Other Definitions of Dietary Exposure

The study compares the results when more specific definitions of gout are used such as positive joint fluid analysis and presence of tophi. It notes that results are similar, but more definite – i.e. higher differences in risk factors.

Only last year Terkeltaub, when reviewing this study wrote: “Contrary to popular belief, and conventional practice, the consumption of purine-rich vegetables was found not to be associated with the risk of incident gout.”

Purine Rich Foods To Avoid With Gout: Study Results

The results show that gout is associated with purine-rich meat and seafood, but not with purine-rich vegetables. Furthermore, dairy products are associated with lower risk of gout. You can continue to read the gout study conclusions about foods high in uric acid and purines, or return to the high purine foods introduction.

Which Purine Foods are Gout-Friendly?
Which Purine Foods are Gout-Friendly?

Purine Rich Foods To Avoid With Gout: Next Steps

Though this study is important because it breaks the myth that all purine-rich foods are bad for gout, it does not tell the full story about gout diet problems. Excess calories and excess iron have more effect on gout, as described in the Foods To Avoid With Gout guidelines.

Leave Purine Rich Foods To Avoid With Gout and browse other purines and pyrimidines research. Or continue with your GoutPal Plan for Gout Dieters.

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