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Purines (or imidazolopyrimidines) are a group of aromatic organic compounds that occur naturally in foods, especially those rich in protein. They are an endogenous and exogenous substance because they are both produced by the body and absorbed by it from food. Purines are converted into uric acid by metabolism.
Purines and uric acid
Uric acid, derived from purines processed by the body, occurs naturally in the body of a healthy person. Its small amounts are present in internal organs (liver and spleen), as well as in urine and blood.
About 75% of uric acid should be excreted by the body in the urine. The remaining 25% goes to the digestive system, where it is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. In a healthy person, the concentration of uric acid should be lower than 70 mg of this substance in a liter of blood. The standard is 180–240 µmol (micromoles) per liter, which translates to 30–70 mg / liter of blood. A healthy adult excreted almost 500 mg of end products of purine metabolism daily.
Purines – gout and urolithiasis
The excess build-up of uric acid that results from disturbed purine metabolism is known as hyperuricemia. It causes diseases such as gout and urolithiasis.
The excess of uric acid is deposited, inter alia, in in joints, forming microcrystals. However, gout does not occur in all people who have higher levels of uric acid in their blood. Hyperuricemia may also occur during acute renal failure, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, tumor lysis syndrome (in patients after chemotherapy), and in patients taking certain diuretics.
Gout is an incurable disease. It affects 2% of people over the age of 40, and among the population of the whole of Europe, it affects 0,3% of the population. Men suffer from it more often – 20 times more often than women.
Purines – a low purine diet
It is not possible to completely exclude purines from your diet as they are present in almost all foods you eat. They are not harmful in the permitted dose, as the body deals with converting them into uric acid, which is then excreted from the body.
Some foods, however, contain more purine compounds than others. These include: fatty and smoked fish meat (salmon, carp, sardines, mackerel, herring), shrimp, unprocessed and processed meats (especially veal, beef, pork, lamb, roast chicken, goose, crab, venison, canned food and broths). meat). A significant amount of purines are found in lard and bacon.
People on a low purine diet should also avoid cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, corn, green peas, leeks, spinach and soybeans. High concentrations of purines include: rhubarb, chocolate, spices, pepper and other spicy spices, mustard, as well as some mushrooms such as boletus, oyster mushrooms and champignons. Purine-containing beverages include tea (especially strong black tea leaves), coffee, cocoa, liquid chocolate, undiluted fruit juices, and sweet sodas.
People with gout or urolithiasis can eat: wheat, wholemeal and rye bread, flour, all types of groats and pasta, milk, lean and cottage cheese, eggs (both proteins and yolks). The vegetables include: boiled potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, carrots, dill, chives, lettuce, parsley and parsley root, onion, radish, cucumbers, kohlrabi, celery, beetroot and horseradish. Citrus and berries, apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, grapes and cherries are allowed on the diet. Lean meats such as lamb, skinless chicken and rabbit may appear in limited amounts of meals, as well as fish: pike perch, halibut, tuna, and in small amounts also carp and cod. You should also reduce the amount of butter and cream consumed.
People on a low purine diet can also eat sugar and sweets such as honey, jams, marmalades and preserves. Among the spices, they can reach for lemon juice and citric acid, marjoram and cinnamon. In limited quantities, they can drink weak tea. To reduce uric acid levels in the blood, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids (at least 2 liters of water per day). It is also advisable to eat the last meal no later than 3-4 hours before going to bed, because the amount of uric acid retained in the body increases at night.