Can people with high uric acid levels drink milk?
Disease description:
My father recently found out during a physical examination that his uric acid levels are high. He has a habit of drinking milk almost every day, usually a glass per day. Now that he knows his uric acid levels are elevated, he is very conflicted about whether he can continue drinking milk. Our family isn't very clear about this issue either, so we would like to ask the doctor: is it okay to drink milk with high uric acid levels?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
People with high uric acid levels can drink milk, and moderate milk consumption is actually beneficial for individuals with hyperuricemia.
Milk is a low-purine food with minimal purine content, which does not lead to excessive uric acid production in the body. At the same time, milk is rich in high-quality protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and other nutrients that help enhance immune function.
The casein and whey protein in milk can promote uric acid excretion. For individuals with elevated uric acid levels, moderate daily milk consumption is generally appropriate. However, excessive protein intake may increase the burden on the kidneys and interfere with normal uric acid excretion. Therefore, it is recommended to arrange a balanced diet under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist. For individuals who are obese or have hyperlipidemia along with high uric acid levels, low-fat or skim milk is recommended to reduce fat intake and avoid impaired uric acid metabolism due to excessive fat consumption.
Although milk itself has a mild effect on uric acid levels, individuals with hyperuricemia should avoid adding excessive sugar when consuming milk. In terms of diet, patients should also avoid high-purine foods such as organ meats, seafood, and beer, and drink plenty of water to promote uric acid excretion.
