Can I eat soft-shelled turtle with gout?
Disease description:
My father has had gout for several years, and during this time he hasn't consumed much seafood. He went out yesterday and ate some soft-shelled turtle. I would like to ask whether people with gout can eat soft-shelled turtle.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Patients with gout should avoid consuming soft-shelled turtle, primarily because it contains relatively high levels of purines. Gout is a disease caused by abnormal uric acid metabolism; consuming foods high in purines increases uric acid production in the body, which may trigger or worsen symptoms of gout such as joint pain and swelling. Therefore, patients with gout should make every effort to avoid eating soft-shelled turtle in daily life in order to control uric acid levels and reduce the risk of gout attacks. At the same time, patients should also maintain a low-purine diet, limit the intake of high-purine foods, and follow the advice of doctors or nutritionists to develop a reasonable meal plan. When the condition is stable, if moderate-purine foods such as soft-shelled turtle need to be consumed, the quantity should be strictly controlled to avoid excessive intake.
