Fiona Bellefeuille, RD, Certified Diabetes Educator
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
Elevated uric acid levels are common in people with kidney disease because the kidneys help the body get rid of extra uric acid. When the kidneys are not working well, they do not remove enough uric acid.
Uric acid is made in the body from purines. Purines are found in specific foods like animal proteins, some vegetables, and alcohol. Sugar-sweetened beverages and juice have been also found to increase blood levels of uric acid. Lowering the amount of purine-rich food, sugar-sweetened beverages and juice you consume will help to lower your uric acid levels.
High uric acid in the blood can cause gout in some people, whereas others may have no symptoms. Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when high levels of uric acid cause crystals to form in your joints and soft tissues, leading to inflammation, pain and swelling. Lower levels of uric acid may help decrease gout flares. Gout is treated with medications, diet and lifestyle changes.
To help lower levels of uric acid in your body, follow these recommendations:
- Limit your intake of meat, chicken and fish. Aim for a maximum cooked serving of 75g or 2½ oz twice a day.
- Avoid organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbreads, etc.) as they contain very high levels of purines.
- Choose fish more often. Fish is a healthy choice because it is high in omega-3 fats, and these may help decrease inflammation. Limit your cooked serving size to 75 g or 2 ½ oz.
- Limit the amount of anchovy, herring, mackerel, sardines, shrimp, and trout you eat, as these fish have a higher concentration of purines.
- Try vegetarian meals a few times a week using tofu or legumes like chickpeas, beans, and lentils. It has been found that purine-rich vegetables do not increase uric acid in the body.
- Eat more vegetables.
- Choose whole fruit instead of juice. Try to have three servings of fruit each day.
- Avoid added sugar and high-sugar drinks such as juice, pop, fruit drinks, specialty coffee and tea drinks.
- Limit alcohol to two drinks a week. All types of alcohol may increase your risk of a gout attack.
- Aim to drink 2-3 L (8-12 cups) of fluids each day (unless advised by your doctor to restrict fluids). Water is your best choice.
- Having a higher body weight may worsen gout flares and symptoms. If you are overweight, gradual weight loss is recommended to reduce gout flares.
If you have elevated uric acid in your blood or gout, we would recommend meeting with a Registered Dietitian to help plan meals that will reduce your uric acid levels and gout flares. Read our blog post to learn how to find a dietitian.