Low purine diet

When it comes to your health, diet plays a crucial role. A low-purine diet can help prevent certain health problems to alleviate or even to avoid. But what exactly does that mean? A low-purine diet involves the targeted reduction of purines, which are found in various foods. By consciously choosing your food, you can prevent potential problems such as gout or uric acid stones, if you have a predisposition to them. It is important to understand when and why a low purine diet is important and how it can help you lead a healthy and active life.

The main goal of a low purine diet is to limit the amount of purines in your diet. This will reduce the Reduces the production of uric acid in the body. This may contribute Gout prevent or reduce gout and reduce the risk of uric acid stones mitigate. This is especially true for those with pre-existing conditions or predisposition.

Background knowledge on purines

What are purines?

Purines are organic compounds that occur naturally in the cells of plants and animals. Purines are involved in the Regulation of cell metabolism, the DNA synthesis, the Energy metabolism and the signal transmission involved. The nitrogenous compounds are broken down in the body and converted into uric acid.

Occurrence of purines in food

Purines occur in varying amounts and in different foods. Animal products such as meat, offal (e.g. liver, kidneys), Fish and seafood are particularly rich in purines. Plant sources of purines are for example Legumes, spinach, asparagus and mushroomsbut they contain significantly less of these natural compounds than animal products. In addition, foods rich in purines can also be found in processed products such as ready-to-eat meals, sausage and certain sauces may be contained.

Diseases that can be affected by purines

Purines are not bad per se for the body, since they also important functions and can, for example, ensure good satiety. Therefore, they should not be radically eliminated from the diet if there is no necessity. It becomes necessary whenever the Body difficulties in breaking down the nitrogenous compounds and therefore diseases such as gout or urinary stones, can develop.

Gout

Gout is a painful inflammatory disease caused by excessive accumulation of uric acid. Uric acid is formed as an end product of purine metabolism. Gout can cause elevated uric acid levels in the blood, which leads to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints. This can lead to acute gout attacks with severe pain, redness, swelling and limited mobility of the affected joints.

Purines play a central role in the development of gout, as uric acid is formed when they are broken down. Excessive intake of purine-rich foods can raise blood uric acid levels, increasing the risk of gout attacks. Reducing purine-rich foods can lower uric acid levels and reduce the incidence of gout attacks. 

Uric acid stones

Uric acid stones are crystals that form in the kidneys and can lead to kidney stones. They form when the uric acid level in the urine is too high and uric acid crystals form. The formation of uric acid stones can lead to symptoms such as severe kidney pain, frequent urination, hematuria (blood in the urine), and urinary tract infections.

A high intake of purine-rich foods can lead to increased uric acid levels in the urine, increasing the risk of uric acid stone formation. Reducing purine-rich foods can lower uric acid levels in the urine and thus reduce the risk for uric acid stone formation.

It is important to note that individual sensitivity to purines and the tendency to develop gout or uric acid stones can vary from person to person and not everyone needs or should follow a low purine diet.

Basic principles of a low-purine diet

The first basic principle of a low-purine diet is to avoid purine-rich foods or at least consume them in moderation.

• Meatespecially certain types such as beef, pork and game, contains high amounts of purines. Likewise, offal such as liver, kidneys and heart are very high in purines. To maintain a low-purine diet, it is advisable to reduce your consumption of red meat and offal. Instead, you can prefer lean varieties such as chicken or turkey.

• Seafood such as sardines, mussels, oysters and crustaceans are rich in purines. Some types of fish such as herring, mackerel and anchovies also have a high purine content. If you want to follow a low-purine diet, you should limit your consumption of seafood and certain types of fish. Instead, you can opt for fish such as salmon or trout.

• Legumes such as lentils, peas, beans and chickpeas are rich in vegetable protein, but they also contain some purine. If you suffer from gout or uric acid stones or want to follow a low-purine diet, you should limit your consumption of legumes. Alternatively, you can turn to other protein-rich plant sources such as tofu, tempeh or quinoa.

• Alcohol and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and certain soft drinks can raise uric acid levels and increase the risk of gout attacks. Therefore, it is recommended that you reduce or avoid the consumption of alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Instead, you can turn to non-alcoholic beverages such as water, herbal tea or decaffeinated coffee.

• Drinking habits and fluid intake: Adequate fluid intake is also important on a low-purine diet. Water is the best choice to keep the body hydrated and promote uric acid breakdown. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to support kidney function and regulate uric acid levels in the body. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages, on the other hand, should be reduced or avoided as they can increase uric acid levels.

• Balanced diet: A low-purine diet should not be too one-sided, but should include a balanced diet. Be sure to include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Whole grains, cheese, cottage cheese and healthy fats such as olive oil or avocado should also be included in the diet. A balanced diet with adequate nutrient content will help keep you healthy and support overall metabolic function.

The vegan diet can offer you many advantages here. On our blog and our Instagram channel you will find a variety of delicious and healthy recipes. You can get an overview of low-purine foods here: Low purine foods.

Low purine recipes

To give you some ideas of what you can eat with low-purine ingredients, we have compiled the best recipes for you. recipes summarized: 

• Breakfast Recipes: The first meal of the day can be very well with Keto pancakes or a delicious apple-cinnamon porridgeto start. If you have little time, then the Low Carb Protein Porridge from LiveFresh is ideal to start the day with little purines and a lot of energy. You can choose between three delicious varieties and have a healthy change every day without much preparation.

• Light soups & stews: These recipes are easy to prepare in a low-calorie and versatile way. Not only are the soups and stews easy to digest, cooked quickly, but they are also low in purines. Try it nevertheless times with our vegan carrot orange ginger soup or our vegan pumpkin carrot potato soup.

• Vegetarian and vegan dishes: Colorful salads or delicious recipes for stir-fried and baked vegetables make great low-calorie dinners for weight loss. Why not try our healthy stuffed bell pepper halves. With our Oven Brussels sprouts with cauliflower rice recipe you create the perfect alternative to conventional and carbohydrate rice. And thanks to our vegan pumpkin fries you don't have to give up anything, even when losing weight.

• Healthy Bowls: LiveFresh offers vegan bowls in many different flavors - Low Carb & High Protein is the main focus. These dishes create the ideal base to lose weight and are ready in just a few minutes. Want to try your hand at a recipe yourself? Then try it with our healthy Buddha Bowl. 

• Alternatives to classic bread & toast: Bread and toast do not contain purines, but they are better avoided when losing weight. Try instead our Avocado Toast from Sweet Potatoes or make yourself delicious and healthy wraps. We also have the matching Low Carb Wrap recipes ready for you.

Frequently asked questions about low purine food:

Which foods are particularly high in purine and should be avoided?

Foods high in purines that should be limited or avoided in a low-purine diet include meat (especially offal such as liver and kidneys), seafood, certain types of fish, legumes and alcoholic beverages.

What foods are good alternatives in a low purine diet?

There are many foods that can be preferred in a low purine diet. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds. These provide important nutrients and are generally low in purines.

How can I increase my fluid intake in a low purine diet?

To increase your fluid intake in a low-purine diet, you should focus primarily on water. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Avoid or reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages and caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea, as they can increase uric acid levels.

How can I properly plan my meals to implement a low purine diet?

When meal planning for a low purine diet, it is important to make balanced food choices. Incorporate fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-protein, low-purine sources such as lean meats, dairy or plant-based proteins. Also pay attention to portion sizes to avoid excessive intake of purines.