Information U0026 Interesting Facts About Purines
If we take in too many purines through our diet, the uric acid level increases. This can cause various diseases. The most famous of these is gout.
Foods high in purine increase uric acid levels, which in turn can lead to gout. But purines also have important functions in the organism. They are important building blocks of nucleic acids, which in turn are carriers of genetic information.
Purines are nitrogen bases that are a fundamental component of nucleotides in DNA and RNA. They are found in our cells and in the foods we eat, for example meat.
The purines from food are converted to uric acid after consumption and excreted in the urine. However, if uric acid is not excreted properly, it can cause gout.
Purines are divided into two basic types: adenines and guanines. In today’s article you will learn what these substances are used for and why they are so important for our organism.
What are purines?
As already mentioned, these are important building blocks of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Purines are divided into adenines and guanines, which are referred to as purine bases.
Since purines are important components of DNA, it is logical that they are naturally present in our organism and can be produced by the body itself. However, certain foods, such as meat and fish, also contain purines.
These substances play an important role in many cell metabolic processes and are also involved in protein synthesis. There are numerous disorders that alter the normal purine cycle. For example, if urinary excretion is disturbed, diseases associated with high uric acid levels, such as gout, develop.
While gout is the most common disease it causes, it is not the only one. There are many disorders that can have more serious consequences than gout.
Purines and increased uric acid levels
Uric acid is the breakdown product of the purine metabolism. The breakdown takes place mainly in the liver and also in the small intestine. How much uric acid is produced depends on various factors.
Diet plays a very important role here, as certain foods are important sources of purine. Almost all of the uric acid is expelled in the urine, but some of it is excreted during bowel movements.
If a lot of uric acid is produced, it cannot be drained out correctly and it accumulates in the body. If this is the case, uric acid crystals settle in the tissue. This causes arthritis in the joints. However, elevated uric acid levels can also cause kidney problems.
Gout, also known as arthritis urica in technical terms , is a type of arthritis that occurs predominantly in the joint of the big toe. This metabolic disorder comes on in flares and can be very painful. In addition, there is swelling and redness in the affected area.
What role do purines play in nutrition?
As mentioned earlier, foods are the main sources of purine. Diet therefore also plays a key role in controlling uric acid levels and in the prevention and treatment of disorders.
An appropriate diet is therefore particularly important for people who are predisposed to high uric acid levels. Foods rich in purine include the following, for example.
- Meat in general: beef, pork, game meat, poultry
- Seafood, for example lobster or mussels
- Liver, sweetbreads and kidneys in general
- Fish, such as smoked salmon or anchovies
If there are problems with purine metabolism, it is best to avoid these foods. It is also very important to drink a lot to get rid of uric acid. A healthy weight is also important. In addition, you should avoid alcohol.
What to consider
In a nutshell, purines are vital, but they can also cause various problems. Uric acid is a breakdown product of the purine metabolism, which can lead to gout, for example. This is a very painful form of arthritis. Be attentive so that you can quickly identify and deal with potential problems. If you have any complaints, you should definitely get a medical examination.
