Not just focusing on purine-containing foods
Purine is a compound found in many foods. When purine is metabolized, the body produces uric acid.
Therefore, people with high uric acid are often advised to completely avoid foods containing purines.
Therefore, the appropriate principle is to reduce foods that are very high in purines, instead of fasting or cutting off all sources of protein. Animal organs, some types of meat and large quantities of seafood should be limited depending on each person's condition.
Limiting alcohol is an important principle
If you want to control uric acid, alcohol is one of the factors to pay special attention to.
It is necessary to avoid drinking too much alcohol, of which beer and strong alcohol are types that need attention. Therefore, instead of thinking that just changing from beer to another type of alcoholic beverage is safe, the important principle is still to reduce total alcohol consumption.
Cut down on sweet drinks and excess fructose
Another scientifically based principle is to limit sugary drinks, especially fructose-rich products or high-fructose corn syrup.
Sugary drinks are a source that needs to be especially controlled because fructose can promote uric acid production.
However, you should not completely eliminate fresh fruits because you are worried about fructose. Whole fruits also provide fiber and many nutrients. A more worrying issue is the amount of concentrated sugar from soft drinks, sugary drinks and processed products.
Maintain a reasonable weight, do not extreme fasting
Overweight and obesity can increase the risk of gout and make it more difficult to control the disease. Gout patients need to be advised that overweight, obesity and drinking too much alcohol can worsen gout attacks and symptoms.
Prioritize a balanced diet
Increase vegetables, fiber-rich foods, suitable protein sources and maintain a diverse diet.
It can be seen that the principle of uric acid control does not lie in absolutely abstaining from one food, but in reducing foods very rich in purines, limiting alcohol and sugary drinks, controlling weight and maintaining a balanced diet.
For people with prolonged increased uric acid or who have got gout, dietary changes are only part of the treatment process; medication and monitoring of urate levels still need to be performed as prescribed by a doctor.
