Gout is usually caused by having too much uric acid in the body, also known as hyperuricemia. To lower or avoid hyperuricemia, you should limit or avoid foods that are high in purines, which are chemicals that can raise uric acid levels.
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. It is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, which leads to the formation of uric acid crystals that deposit in the joints. For those prone to gout, certain foods and drinks can trigger painful gout attacks by raising uric acid levels. This leads to an important question – is turkey deli meat one of the foods that should be avoided with gout?
What Causes Gout?
Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and crystallizes in the joints, This is usually due to
- Overproduction of uric acid
- Under excretion of uric acid
Purines, which are natural substances found in many foods, increase uric acid production when broken down in the body. Foods high in purines include:
- Organ meats like liver or kidneys
- Red meats like beef, pork and lamb
- Seafood like anchovies, sardines, scallops and trout
- Some vegetables like asparagus, spinach and mushrooms
Consuming high amounts of purine-rich foods can raise uric acid levels and trigger painful gout attacks.
Is Turkey High in Purines?
Turkey contains moderate levels of purines It is lower in purines than high-purine meats like red meat and organ meats. However, it contains more purines than other lean protein choices like chicken or plant-based proteins.
3-4 ounces of roasted, skinless turkey breast contains about:
- 160 mg of purines
In comparison:
- 3 ounces of beef contains about 180 mg of purines
- 3 ounces of chicken breast contains about 70 mg of purines
So while turkey is not as high in purines as some meats, it does contain more than recommended for some with severe gout
Is Deli Turkey Worse for Gout?
Deli turkey often contains added preservatives like nitrites. Processed and preserved meats may also use ingredients that increase purine levels further. This makes deli turkey potentially more problematic for gout sufferers than fresh, unprocessed turkey.
Some other concerns with deli turkey include:
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Higher Sodium: Processed deli meats contain much more sodium than fresh turkey. High sodium intake is associated with higher uric acid levels and increased gout risk.
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Nitrites: Nitrites help preserve color and prolong shelf life but have been linked to some health issues. They may also interact with purines to further increase gout risk.
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Other Additives: Deli meats may contain sweeteners, artificial flavors or other additives that can raise purine or uric acid levels.
So deli turkey, especially highly processed varieties, contain compounds that could exacerbate gout beyond just the purine content in the meat itself.
Tips for Choosing Turkey with Gout
If you want to enjoy turkey as part of a gout-friendly diet, here are some tips:
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Choose fresh, unprocessed cuts like turkey breast instead of deli meats.
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Look for no-salt-added or low-sodium varieties.
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Opt for nitrite-free and preservative-free turkey when possible.
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Consume in moderation along with other low-purine foods.
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Drink plenty of fluids to help flush uric acid from the body.
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Avoid turkey high in purines like ground turkey, wings or turkey bacon.
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Balance with plant proteins like beans or tofu as well.
Foods to Avoid with Gout
While fresh, unprocessed turkey in moderation may be tolerable for some with gout, there are certain foods those with gout are better off avoiding completely:
- Organ meats like liver, kidneys, sweetbreads
- Game meats like venison, rabbit, boar
- Anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel
- Scallops, mussels, trout, haddock
- Processed meats like sausages, hot dogs, salami
- Sugary drinks like soda and fruit juice
- Alcohol, especially beer
- Yeast extracts like Marmite
- Sugary foods with high-fructose corn syrup
Avoiding these high-purine foods as much as possible can help prevent gout attacks.
The Bottom Line
Fresh, unprocessed turkey in moderation may be tolerated as part of a gout diet for some people. However, processed deli turkey contains sodium, preservatives and other compounds that can increase gout risk. Those with severe gout may want to avoid deli meats entirely and focus on fresh turkey or alternate protein sources. As with any disease, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider for individualized dietary recommendations for managing gout.
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:
- Joint pain that comes on quickly and is accompanied by redness, swelling, tenderness, and heat is common. It usually affects a single joint, but inflammation can happen in more than one at the same time. It most often happens in the big toe, lesser toe joints, ankles, and knees. Flares happen more often at night and early in the morning than during the day, but attacks can happen at any time. Pain and inflammation reach their worst within 12 to 24 hours and usually go away completely within a few days to a few weeks, even if not treated.
- May be accompanied by fever
After flare-ups, patients often have remissions, which can last weeks, months, or even years and are symptom-free.
Gout is usually caused by too much uric acid in the body (hyperuricemia). When there is too much uric acid in the body, monosodium urate crystals build up in the 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:
- Having chronic kidney disease or poor kidney function, congestive heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Overeating or prolonged fasting
- Some medicines, like diuretics (water pills), can change the amount of urate in the blood.
- A lot of purines in the food, which the body turns into uric acid
- Consuming large amounts of meat or seafood
- Having drinks that contain high fructose corn syrup, like regular sodas
- Regularly and too much drinking alcohol, especially 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:
- Medicines that reduce swelling and pain without using steroids (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), Celecoxib (Celebrex), and Indomethacin (Indocin)
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
- Corticosteroids
- Prednisone
- Prednisolone
- Methylprednisolone
People who get tophi (clumps of uric acid crystals around a joint) and kidney stones should be given medicines like
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
- Febuxostat (Uloric, Adenuric)
- Pegloticase (Krystexxa)
Highly Processed Meat Danger? It’s not what you think…
FAQ
What meat does not trigger gout?
Is sweet potato bad for gout?
Is egg bad for gout?
Does turkey white meat cause gout?
The interplay between turkey white meat consumption and gout has spurred a contentious discourse within the health community. Despite turkey’s status as a lean protein, its purine content has raised eyebrows.
Does eating frozen meats cause gout?
Consuming frozen meats per se does not raise your chances of getting gout attacks. It is the type of meat that plays a more important role. Organ meats, game meats, and red meats, including beef, lamb, and pork, are more likely to cause an acute attack of gouty pain.
Is Turkey Turkey good for gout?
Turkey Turkey is pretty much everywhere in the world of sandwiches and deli meats, so it can be hard to avoid the temptation if you’re a fan. But unfortunately it comes with a enough purines to make it off limits for gout sufferers. It has a bit fewer purines than chicken, but they are still both higher than average.
How do you manage gout if you eat a Turkey?
Water is essential in managing gout. Balanced Diet: Pair turkey with whole grains, vegetables, and fruits to create well-rounded, nutrient-rich meals. Low-Purine Foods: Combine turkey with low-purine foods like whole grains, leafy greens, and other lean proteins for balanced nutrition.
Are frozen turkey burgers good for gout?
Even frozen, pre-packed turkey burgers can be full of added salt and preservatives. My brand new breakthrough guide “Gout Rescue” gets you relief from your gout in as little as 2 hours and prevents the recurring attacks experts have linked to some potentially fatal health conditions.
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.