Gout is usually caused by too much uric acid in the body (hyperuricemia), and foods that contain high levels of purines, compounds that can raise uric acid levels, should be limited or avoided.
Turkey is a lean protein that is enjoyed by many around the holiday season. However, for those with gout or high uric acid levels, turkey may be a food to avoid. This article will explore whether turkey contains purines, how it affects gout, and some alternatives for those looking to reduce purines in their diets.
What are Purines?
Purines are natural compounds found in some foods When the body breaks down purines, a substance called uric acid is produced Too much uric acid in the blood can lead to a condition called hyperuricemia. If uric acid levels get too high, crystals can form in the joints, causing pain and inflammation – a condition known as gout. Reducing purines in the diet can help manage gout and hyperuricemia.
Purines are found naturally in foods like
- Organ meats like liver and kidneys
- Oily fish like sardines and anchovies
- Red meats
- Alcohol
- Yeast
Foods can also contain purine-like compounds such as high fructose corn syrup. Limiting both purines and purine-like compounds is recommended for those with gout or hyperuricemia.
Does Turkey Have Purines?
Yes, turkey does contain moderate levels of purines. Turkey is not as high in purines as organ meats or seafood, but it contains more purines than other lean meats like chicken.
There are a few reasons turkey raises uric acid levels:
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It contains purines – Turkey contains more purines than lean meats, especially dark meat turkey. The purines contribute to uric acid production when broken down.
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It contains nucleoproteins – Turkey contains high levels of nucleoproteins which also raise uric acid.
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High-purine stuffing – Turkey is often paired with bread-based stuffing, which can be high in purines from yeast.
Overall, a 3-ounce serving of roasted dark turkey meat contains about 182 mg of purines. In comparison, a chicken breast contains under 100 mg in the same serving size.
How Does Turkey Affect Gout?
For those prone to gout attacks, eating turkey can raise the risk. One study found that consuming turkey increased plasma uric acid levels and increased the risk of recurrent gout attacks. Participants that ate turkey had a recurrence rate of 6% compared to 0% for the control group after 6 months.
There are a few reasons turkey seems to trigger gout flares:
- Turkey itself contains moderate purine levels
- Consuming large portions of turkey is common on holidays
- Turkey is often paired with other high-purine foods like gravy and yeast-based stuffing
- The added calories and purines from holiday meals can overwhelm the kidneys’ ability to excrete uric acid
Overall, turkey is not recommended for those with gout history or high uric acid levels. Limiting portion sizes of turkey, avoiding dark turkey meat, and pairing turkey with low-purine foods may reduce the likelihood of a gout attack.
Low-Purine Meat Alternatives
For those prone to gout who want to avoid turkey, some low-purine meat alternatives include:
Chicken and Eggs
Chicken contains less than half the amount of purines compared to turkey. Eggs are also low in purines. Replacing turkey with baked or grilled chicken and deviled eggs makes a great alternative.
Fish
Some types of fish like salmon, haddock, and flounder contain moderate purine levels. Avoiding high-purine fish like sardines and anchovies and limiting portion sizes of fish can make seafood a low-purine alternative.
Tofu and Beans
Plant-based proteins like tofu and most types of beans are very low in purines. Swapping turkey for tofu-based dishes or bean recipes can reduce purine intake.
Venison
Deer, elk, and other game meats contain fewer purines than beef or turkey. Venison makes a great seasonal alternative to turkey. Just be mindful of portion sizes and avoid adding high-purine gravy.
Tips for Handling Turkey with Gout
If you don’t want to give up turkey entirely, here are some tips to enjoy it more safely:
- Choose white breast meat over dark meat
- Limit portion size to 4-6 ounces
- Avoid organ meats like giblets and liver
- Pair turkey with low-purine foods like potatoes, rice, and winter vegetables
- Stay hydrated and limit other high-purine foods around the holidays
- Consider taking a prophylactic gout medication beforehand if recommended by your doctor
While turkey does contain moderate purine levels, there are ways to still enjoy it in moderation. Be mindful of portions, choose white meat, and pair it with low-purine foods to minimize the likelihood of a painful gout flare.
Turkey does contain moderate levels of purines, especially dark turkey meat. For those with gout or hyperuricemia, turkey consumption has been linked with increasing plasma uric acid levels and higher risk of gout attacks. Substituting turkey with low-purine alternatives like chicken, fish, eggs, or plant-based proteins can help reduce purine intake. If you don’t want to fully give up turkey, limiting portion sizes, sticking to white meat, and pairing turkey with low-purine foods can allow you to still enjoy it while minimizing gout flares. Being mindful of overall purine intake around the holidays is important for managing gout symptoms.
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 drugs (NSAIDs)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Indomethacin (Indocin)
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
- Corticosteroids
- Prednisone
- Prednisolone
- Methylprednisolone
Patients who develop clumps of uric acid crystals around a joint (tophi) and kidney stones be prescribed medications such as:
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
- Febuxostat (Uloric, Adenuric)
- Pegloticase (Krystexxa)
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:
- Sudden episodes of severe joint pain
- Redness, swelling, tenderness, and heat in the joint is common
- Usually affects a single joint, but inflammation can occur in several joints at the same time
- Commonly occurs in the big toe, and also in lesser toe joints, ankles, and knees
- Flares start more often during the night and early morning than during the day, though attacks can occur any time
- Pain and inflammation peak within 12 to 24 hours and usually go away completely within a few days to several weeks, even if not treated
- May be accompanied by fever
Flares are usually followed by periods of remission where patients have no symptoms that can last weeks, months, or years.
Gout is usually caused by too much uric acid in the body (hyperuricemia). Excess uric acid in the body causes uric acid crystals (monosodium urate) to accumulate in the body’s joints, fluids, and tissues. Hyperuricemia does not always cause gout, and hyperuricemia without symptoms of gout does not require treatment.
Risk factors for developing gout include:
- Certain health conditions, including:
- Chronic kidney disease/poor kidney function
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Insulin resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Overeating or prolonged fasting
- Certain medications that affect blood levels of urate, such as diuretics (water pills)
- A diet high in purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid
- Consuming large amounts of meat or seafood
- Consuming beverages containing high fructose corn syrup (such as regular sodas)
- Excessive and regular consumption of alcohol (especially beer, vodka, gin, whiskey, or rum)
- Being male
Can You Eat Turkey with Gout? The Truth Revealed!
FAQ
Can you eat turkey if you have gout?
Red meats, including beef, lamb, pork and bacon. Turkey. This leaner meat is, nonetheless, high in purines. Especially avoid processed deli turkey.
Which meat is lowest in purines?
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ChickenA white meat that’s lower in purines than red meat -
TurkeyA poultry option that’s lower in purines than red meat, but still high in purines overall
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DuckA poultry option that’s lower in purines than red meat
How high in purines is turkey?
| ID | Name | Purine (mg)/Portion |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | Pork cutlet | 123 |
| 90 | Horse meat | 171 |
| 92 | Turkey meat, with skin | 137 |
| 93 | Deer meat | 96 |
What’s the worst vegetable for gout?
- Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, dried lentils, peans & beans, green peas, mushrooms, spinach.
- Whole Grains: oats, wheat bran.
- Meats: anchovies, bacon, organ meats, red meats, sardines, scallops, tuna.
Does Turkey have uric acid?
Delving into the realm of uric acid levels in turkey, we uncover the intricate composition of purines within its meat. The purine content, while moderate, warrants investigation. In comparison with its meat counterparts, turkey exhibits a middling purine profile.
Is Turkey a high purine food?
Turkey is considered a moderately high purine food, as it has around 100-200 mg of uric acid per 3.5 oz (100 g) serving. So it doesn’t fall into the high purine category like organ meats, game, and varieties of seafood like anchovies, clams, herring, halibut, mackerel, and so on.
Does Turkey gout cause uric acid & purine levels?
With every succulent bite of turkey, an invisible thread weaves through your joints, reminding us of the complex interplay within our bodies. Understanding the intricate connection between gout, uric acid, and purine levels is pivotal in deciphering the triggers and management of this painful arthritic condition.
What foods have high purine levels?
Here are 4 foods with high purine levels that you should avoid: 1. Organ Meats Although a good source of nutrition in other contexts, organ meats are notably high in purines and should be avoided by anyone looking to eat a more gout-friendly diet. 2. Alcohol Different kinds of alcohol have varying levels of purines.
Does Turkey cause gout?
Despite turkey’s status as a lean protein, its purine content has raised eyebrows. Given purines’ capacity to elevate uric acid levels – a well-acknowledged contributor to gout – the inquiry emerges: Does partaking in turkey entail an augmented risk of gout exacerbation?
Are foods high in purine good for gout?
Foods low in purines are a safe bet. But the amount of purine in food isn’t the only factor that affects gout flares. There are even some foods high in purines that may be good for people with gout. This is because they help your body process and get rid of uric acid. Below are a few surprising foods that can be a good part of a gout diet. 1.