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.
Does Turkey Have Purines? Exploring This Meat’s Connection to GoutTurkey has become a staple on dinner tables across America, especially during the holidays However, for those living with gout, indulging in this popular poultry may raise some questions Does turkey have purines? And if so, how does this impact those prone to gout attacks? This article will take a closer look at the relationship between turkey, purines, and gout.
What Are Purines?Purines are natural compounds found in many foods that play a role in producing uric acid in the body When the body breaks down purines, it produces uric acid as a byproduct Typically, uric acid is filtered out through the kidneys and removed from the body via urine. However, when uric acid levels get too high, crystals can form in the joints, leading to painful gout attacks. This is why monitoring purine intake is often recommended for those suffering from gout.
Does Turkey Contain Purines?
Yes, turkey does contain moderate levels of purines. Turkey contains more purines than chicken but less than beef or organ meats. For example, a 3-ounce serving of turkey breast contains around 123 mg of purines. In comparison, the same serving size of beef tenderloin contains around 169 mg of purines.
While not extremely high in purines, turkey does contain enough that it can impact uric acid levels, especially when consumed in excess. It’s important to keep portion sizes of turkey reasonable if you have gout.
Which Parts of Turkey Are Highest in Purines?
When it comes to turkey, some cuts and preparations may be higher in purines than others:
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Turkey Breast: Lower in fat and purines than dark meat. Go for skinless for lowest purine content.
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Turkey Thighs and Legs: Dark meat is higher in purines than white breast meat.
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Ground Turkey: May have slightly higher purine levels depending on fat content. Choose lean or extra lean.
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Turkey Giblets: Organ meats like liver are very high in purines. Avoid eating.
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Processed Turkey: Deli meats, sausages, and cold cuts may contain preservatives and ingredients that increase purines.
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Turkey Gravy: Homemade gravy is a better choice than instant, processed varieties with additives.
Overall, white turkey meat without skin contains fewer purines than dark thigh or leg meat. Staying away from turkey organ meats and processed turkey products can also help reduce purine intake for those with gout.
How Does Turkey Impact Uric Acid and Gout?
For most healthy individuals, consuming turkey in moderation likely won’t cause any issues with gout or uric acid levels. However, for those already diagnosed with gout, monitoring intake of purine-containing foods like turkey is recommended to prevent painful gout attacks.
Here’s how turkey can influence uric acid and gout:
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Purines in turkey can increase uric acid production when broken down. Too much uric acid leads to crystal formation in joints.
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Excess turkey coupled with other high purine foods can spike uric acid levels and trigger gout flares.
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Eating large portions of turkey, like at holiday gatherings, may overload the kidneys’ ability to filter uric acid.
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Cooking methods like breading and frying turkey can increase purine content of the final dish.
The key is being mindful of portion size and not overindulging in turkey, especially alongside other purine-rich foods. Combining turkey with plant-based sides and staying hydrated is important for balancing purine intake. Those with gout should also limit alcohol when eating turkey, as it impairs the kidneys’ ability to properly excrete uric acid.
Tips for Enjoying Turkey with Gout
If you have gout, you don’t necessarily have to avoid turkey altogether. With some simple precautions, turkey can still be enjoyed as part of a gout-friendly diet:
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Stick to reasonable 3-4 oz portions of lean turkey breast meat without skin.
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Balance turkey with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy for well-rounded nutrition.
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Avoid organ meats like turkey liver, kidneys or giblets which are very high in purines.
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Limit gravy intake or make your own using low-sodium broth instead of turkey drippings.
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Skip fried, breaded, or processed turkey like deli meats and sausages.
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Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help flush out excess uric acid.
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Limit alcohol intake when eating turkey to support proper kidney function.
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Take any prescribed uric acid-lowering medications as directed by your doctor.
With some awareness and planning, most people with gout can still enjoy turkey in moderation during holidays and year-round. Being mindful of portions, preparation methods and food pairings can help reduce the likelihood of painful gout attacks. As always, consulting your doctor can provide personalized advice on managing gout through diet and medication.
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
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)
15 High Uric Acid Foods To Avoid For Gout | VisitJoy
FAQ
Is turkey bad for uric acid?
Which meat is lowest in purines?
Which has more purines, chicken or turkey?
Do turkeys get gout?
Does Turkey have purine?
The interplay between turkey’s purine content and its impact on the delicate balance of uric acid within the body beckons for a closer examination, spotlighting the pivotal role of dietary choices in the management of gout-prone tendencies. Do Turkey Dishes High In Purine?
What are purine foods?
High purine foods are: alcoholic beverages, some fish, seafood and shellfish, including anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout and haddock, and some meats, such as bacon, turkey, veal, venison and organ meats like liver.
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.
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.