Nutrition and hyperuricemia

Abstract

The increase of incidence and prevalence of asymptomatic hyperuricemia, closely related to the traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and the difficulty to establish a drug therapy for this condition have attached importance to dietary treatment; the aim is to identify foods which can prevent plasma uric acid (UA) concentrations from reaching abnormally high levels. UA level depends on endogenous production (10%), reduced excretion (90%) or both. Although UA production depends on the consumption of purine, a diet rich in purines is believed to be responsible only for a serum UA increase of 1 to 2 mg/dL. Losing < 5 kg reduces the risk of UA increase by up to 45%, whereas higher losses could lead to a risk at least 60 % lower. In the same way, maximum weight loss and weight stability minimize the risk of hyperuricemia. Weight loss, however, should not be sudden so as to avoid muscle catabolism, which may cause loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) and a concomitant UA increase. The following foods can help reduce serum UA levels: milk, yogurt, fresh cheese, vitamin C-rich fruits, eggs, unsalted nuts, legumes (including soy), chicken, salmon, codfish and lobster. Red meat intake (pork, beef, goat meat) should be limited, and seafood, fish (trout, tuna, pompano, scallop, anchovy, herring, sardine and tuna in oil), bacon, viscera, turkey and lamb should be avoided.

Keywords

• hiperuricemia
• ácido úrico
• nutrición
• tratamiento dietético
• alimentación