Can Turkey Cause Gout Flare-Ups?

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. This excess uric acid leads to the formation of crystals in the joints, which causes sudden and severe pain, tenderness, swelling, and redness in the affected joint. Typically, gout affects the big toe, but it can impact other joints as well.

Diet plays an important role in gout as certain foods can raise or lower uric acid levels Many people associate gout with rich foods, red meat, and alcohol However, one food that often gets questioned is turkey.

So can eating turkey really cause gout flare-ups? Let’s find out.

What Is Gout?

Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid building up in the body Uric acid is a waste product formed during the breakdown of purines Purines are natural substances found in some foods,

In gout, uric acid crystals get deposited in the joints and soft tissues leading to inflammation and intense pain The common symptoms of gout include

• Sudden, severe joint pain, often in the big toe
• Redness, warmth, and swelling in the joints
• Difficulty moving the affected joints
• Feeling like the joint is on fire

Some factors that can increase uric acid production and raise gout risk include:

• Genetics
• Obesity
• High purine foods
• Alcohol use
• Certain medications and medical conditions

Gout usually involves periods of symptom flare-ups followed by remission where symptoms resolve. With proper treatment and diet, gout can be managed effectively.

Purines in Turkey

Purines are chemical compounds found in some foods that break down into uric acid in the body. Foods high in purines include:

• Organ meats like liver, kidneys, sweetbreads
• Game meats
• Anchovies, sardines, herring
• Mackerel, trout, haddock, tuna
• Scallops, mussels, crab, lobster

Turkey contains moderate levels of purines. A 3-ounce serving of roasted turkey breast without skin has about 108 mg of purines. The dark meat with skin contains around 182 mg.

For comparison, red meat and seafood tend to have higher amounts ranging from 150 to 400 mg per serving.

So while turkey is moderately high in purines, it contains less than some other meats.

Can Turkey Trigger Gout Attacks?

There are some mixed opinions on whether moderate purine foods like turkey can cause gout flares. Studies show that limiting purine intake can help reduce gout attacks. However, avoiding all purine-containing foods is not necessary.

Here’s what the research says about turkey and gout:

• One study found that eating turkey or veal more than 3 times a week raised gout risk.

• Another study showed no link between infrequent poultry consumption and recurrent gout attacks.

• People who ate poultry more than 4 times a week had a higher risk of gout flares compared to those who ate it less than once a month.

So it seems that eating turkey occasionally or in moderation is likely safe. But having it often, such as multiple times a week, can potentially trigger gout symptoms.

People’s tolerance levels can vary too. Some gout patients may be able to eat turkey more frequently without issues. Others may need to limit intake to avoid flares.

Tips for Including Turkey in Gout Diet

If you have gout, you don’t necessarily have to avoid turkey altogether. But it’s best to be mindful of portion sizes and frequency. Here are some tips for including turkey safely in your gout diet:

• Eat no more than 3 to 4 ounces of turkey at a time
• Choose white meat over dark meat
• Remove the skin to reduce fat and purines
• Limit turkey to 1 to 2 times per week
• Avoid organ meats like giblets, liver, gizzards
• Skip gravy made from pan drippings
• Limit processed turkey like cold cuts and sausage with added salt
• Stay hydrated and limit other purine-rich foods on days when you eat turkey

Other Diet Tips for Gout

Diet is important for both treating and preventing gout attacks. Here are some other helpful diet tips:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
• Limit alcohol intake
• Avoid sugary sodas and fruit juices
• Reduce intake of seafood, red meat, and organ meats
• Eat more low-fat dairy products
• Include fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Limit foods with high fructose corn syrup
• Consider taking vitamin C supplements

The key is moderation. With attention to portions and food choices, most people with gout can enjoy an occasional serving of turkey without problems. But for those who find turkey consistently triggers attacks, avoiding it or limiting intake may be prudent.

While turkey is moderately high in purines, eating it in moderation seems unlikely to cause gout flares in most people. However, frequently having turkey several times a week may increase gout risk for some. Paying attention to your own response and limiting portion sizes and intake frequency can allow you to include turkey safely in an overall healthy gout diet.