Vegetarian Diet and Uric Acid: Understanding the Risks and How to Manage Them

Vegetarian diet is now more popular than ever, due to its long list of health benefits, such as a lowered risk of heart disease, diabetes and also certain types of cancer, you name it and a veg diet is the key! A diet full of veggies, legumes is also thought by many to regulate uric acid and prevent gout, an excruciating form of arthritis due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. But, the question here is, do vegetarian diets actually increase the levels of uric acid in the body? Or is it just a myth! The answer is not a simple yes or no, and there is emerging research that tells us how different vegetarian foods influence uric acid and what individuals must keep in mind.

Uric acid is a byproduct that forms as the body metabolizes purines, chemicals found in some foods and naturally in the body. In normal circumstances, uric acid dissolves in the blood, travels through the kidneys, and is passed in the urine. When uric acid formation outpaces excretion, or when the kidneys are damaged, uric acid builds up in the blood, known as hyperuricemia.
When uric acid levels in the body increases, they start to crystallise and precipitate, withing the tissues and joint, leading to bodily inflammation, that is the underlying cause of several chronic diseases. Apart from gout, excess uric acid has also been associated with kidney stones and cardiovascular disease risk.

Scientists at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) published a report that summarized the impact of vegetarian diet on serum uric acid levels. The study has established that a lacto-vegetarian diet, food plans consisting of dairy foods and plant foods, is linked with decreased serum uric acid levels and lower risk of hyperuricemia and gout. This is mainly because the overall purine content of plant-based foods is lower than foods based on animals like seafood and red meat, which are well-documented stimuli for excessive uric acid.

While these diets confer these advantages, vegetarian diets are not necessarily purine-free. Plant foods contain some plant foods like soy products, beans, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach, and some sea vegetables which are of moderate purine content. Eating very large amounts of these will lead to excess uric acid levels, especially in those with a genetic predisposition or underlying kidney disease.
An exemplary case study in the International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research documents this complication. It documented a middle-aged gentleman, after embracing a vegetarian diet that was high in purine-rich foods such as cauliflower, mushrooms, and beans, who was diagnosed with acute gouty arthritis. This took place in the absence of a previous history of gout, diabetes, or other common risk factors. His familial tendency predisposed him to overproduction of uric acid, although. The case reminds us that, despite vegetarianism, the choice of food does count, particularly in those who are at risk of hyperuricemia.

Moderation is the key: Consuming a variety of plant-based food items, but in moderation, such as avoiding high purine vegetables such as mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, and legumes if you have high uric acid or gout issues.
Consume dairy products: In case of lacto-vegetarian diet, intake of dairy may be helpful in reducing the level of uric acid.
Hydrate yourself: Intake of water keeps kidney function up and aids in expulsion of uric acid from the body.
Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol: Sweetened drinks and alcohol, particularly beer, trigger uric acid production and increase gout.

Vegetarian diets offer protection from high uric acid and gout over animal protein-rich diets. Yet, vegetarian foods are not all equal concerning purines, and some vegetables and fruits contain a high amount of purines and raise uric acid if consumed overboard. Those at risk need to be careful of food consumed and in what quantity.
As long as the diet is adopted with a balance, varied vegetarian content that is purine-poor, along with large fluid intakes, and in conjunction with lifestyle changes, healthy uric acid levels can be sustained and the development of gout and gout-related complications prevented. By being aware of these nuances, vegetarians are enabled to benefit from the health-contributing elements of their food choice while ensuring their joint as well as their renal health.

Disclaimer: Before adopting any advice, please consult a medical health professional.