What Really Is A Purine?

Here at Lifetones, I spend a lot of time researching uric acid and how it can affect the body, and then I share that information with you. But I know it can get a bit confusing at times when you don't understand all the jargon and scientific terms. Trust me, I'm often confused by them too. That's why today I'm going to help break it down for you because it's important to me that you understand uric acid and why managing your uric acid levels is crucial.

So let's get into it.

What is a purine?

Purines are organic compounds that are found naturally in the human body, and they play a crucial role in making up our DNA and RNA. These types of purines are known as endogenous purines. There are also purines that can be found in the foods we consume; these purines are known as exogenous purines.

When these two different types of purines are broken down, they create a byproduct known as uric acid. Now, normally your body filters out this uric acid through your kidneys and urine. But if you have too many purines in your body, uric acid begins to build up and your body isn't able to get rid of it fast enough.

So why does that matter?

Too much uric acid can cause uric acid crystals to form. These crystals then settle in your joints and can cause pain and inflammation in the form of gout or fibromyalgia.

Now, not all purines are bad, but it's important to avoid consuming high amounts, especially if you suffer from gout or fibromyalgia.

That's where a low-purine diet can come into play. A low-purine diet is beneficial, and often recommended, for people who have high uric acid levels.

Low-purine diets consist mostly of:

• peanut butter
• nuts
• low-fat or fat-free dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
• vegetables like cabbage, squash, and bell peppers
• whole grains
• water
• coffee/tea

That doesn't mean you have to cut out eating high-purine foods completely, but it's important to limit them and eat them in moderation. The goal is to be aware of what we're putting into our bodies and how it affects our overall health.

**Talk to your healthcare provider before making any serious changes to your diet.

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