What Foods Produce Excessive Uric Acid?

High uric acid level is also known as hyperuricemia, and is caused by an excessive concentration of uric acid in the blood, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Uric acid is the waste produced when purine, a natural substance found in the body and in many foods, breaks down in the body. The uric acid that forms is carried out in the blood, through the kidneys and is then eliminated in urine. However, excessive amounts of uric acid, when deposited in the tissues of the body, can cause gout, kidney stones and kidney failure. A diet rich in foods containing extremely high, high and moderately high levels of purine, often found in high protein foods like meat, can produce excessive amounts of uric acid in the body.

Meats

• Organ meats have extremely high amounts of purine which, in turn, will produce excessive amounts of uric acid. If gout and other health related issues are a concern, organ meats should be avoided. This includes liver, brains, kidneys and sweetbreads.

  Other meats with high to moderately high levels of purines are bacon, lamb, beef, veal, pork and game meats like venison and rabbit. All other meats can be eaten, but in limited amounts to reduce purines and excessive amounts of uric acid.

Seafood and fish

• Shellfish is higher in purines than other seafood and fish, and causes an excessive amount of uric acid. This includes shellfish like lobster, clams, oysters, shrimp and scallops. Anchovies, mussels and sardines are also very high in purines.

  Certain other types of fish fall in to the category of fish with high and moderately high levels of purine. This includes bluefish, carp, halibut, perch, salmon, trout, tuna and snapper. Consuming any type of fish in large quantities can cause excessive amounts of uric acid and should be avoided.

Vegetables and Beans

• Some vegetables have high and moderately high levels of purine. This includes asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms and spinach. Beans in this category include kidney beans, lentils, lima beans and navy beans. Peas are also included.

Poultry

• Poultry contains high and moderately high amounts of purines. This includes chicken and chicken soup. Other types of poultry included are duck, goose, grouse, pheasant and turkey.

Beverages and Yeast

• Beer and alcoholic beverages are extremely high in purines and should be avoided if gout and related health problems are a concern. Yeast is also extremely high in purines and should be avoided.