As living standards improve and health concepts deepen, many people know that eating meat regularly can easily raise uric acid levels and trigger gout. However, some vegetables can also be harmful to the kidneys and should not be ignored.
The occurrence of gout is closely related to daily dietary habits. When people consume excessive purine substances, uric acid levels increase. If the saturation point is exceeded, uric acid will precipitate and adsorb at the joints, leading to gout attacks.
Therefore, many people with high uric acid levels avoid eating high-purine foods such as animal offal, lobster, and meat soups, and are advised to consume low-purine foods like vegetables and fruits. However, not all vegetables have low purine content.
A few days ago, Mr. Wang, 38, suffered unbearable pain in his left foot at midnight. His partner immediately took him to the hospital for treatment, and the test results showed that his uric acid level was as high as 980umol/L, several times higher than normal.
Speaking of high uric acid, Mr. Wang was puzzled. A year ago during a health check-up, he was informed of his elevated uric acid levels. He restrained himself from consuming seafood, braised pork, lamb soup, and other high-purine foods as advised by the doctor, so why did he develop gout?
After in-depth communication with Mr. Wang, the doctor found that the vegetables he often consumed were the “culprits” of his gout attacks.
Doctor: 3 Vegetables High in Purines to Avoid Overeating
1. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are a popular delicacy rich in nutrients that can be cooked in various ways and are widely enjoyed in daily life.
However, every 100 grams of shiitake mushrooms contain 214.5 milligrams of purines, making them a high-purine food. Frequent consumption can impair kidney function and lead to gout.
2. Spinach
Spinach is rich in essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin A, making it a common vegetable on many dinner tables.
Although spinach appears very healthy, it is extremely unfriendly to people with high uric acid levels as it contains a large amount of purines. Prolonged consumption can lead to kidney metabolism disorders, excessive uric acid accumulation, and kidney damage.
3. Seaweed
Dishes like seaweed egg drop soup and wonton are more delicious with the addition of seaweed, which is high in protein content. However, individuals with high uric acid levels should avoid consuming it.
The purine content in every 100 grams of seaweed ranges from 112 to 274 milligrams, also falling under high-purine foods. Therefore, individuals with high uric acid levels should consume it sparingly.
Before a gout attack, the body shows three abnormal signs, prompting timely medical attention.
1. Limb Pain
Excessive intake of purines leads to a rapid increase in uric acid in the body, causing the crystallization of uric acid salts and damaging kidney function.
Excess uric acid and toxins circulate in the body, precipitating and accumulating in joints, limbs, cartilage, and other tissues, gradually causing pain.
2. Body Swelling
After kidney metabolism dysfunction, the metabolic function of renal tubules slows down, leading to the accumulation of excess fluids and harmful substances in soft tissues, resulting in water and sodium retention.
Over time, the accumulation of excess fluids and harmful substances in the body causes swelling in areas such as eyelids, lower limbs, and face.
3. Abnormal Urination
The main function of the kidneys is to produce urine and excrete waste products, excess fluids, and uric acid from the body.
If kidney dysfunction impairs detoxification function, waste products, uric acid, and fluids can block the renal corpuscle, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination.
To lower uric acid levels and avoid gout, follow these two practices.
1. Nutrient Supplementation
2. Regular Exercise
Engaging in moderate exercise regularly strengthens kidney immunity, accelerates metabolism rates, and enhances the efficiency of uric acid breakdown and excretion.
Caution: Individuals with high uric acid levels should avoid intense exercise as it can lead to excessive lactic acid production, affecting uric acid excretion. Choose gentle aerobic exercises to better dilute uric acid and protect the kidneys.
【References】:
【1】Clinical Analysis of Gout and High Uric Acid in Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine by Gao Jinhu; Xu Jinfang; Tian Lin; Yun Zhonghai
【2】Clinical Analysis of Joint Pain Gout Treatment in Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine by Liu Weiwei; Gao Yongxiang; Li Xueping; Mei Xiang
