Can people have high uric acid levels and not develop gout?
Yes, a sizable proportion of those with a high level of uric acid do not develop gout. More studies are necessary to identify which factors may be protective in those people. What is the risk associated with purine-rich foods? A number of dietary factors have been suspected of causing gout since ancient times, but never proven. For example, patients with gout have been typically advised to avoid meat, seafood, purine-rich vegetables and animal protein. The 2004 study comprehensively investigated the suspected dietary and other factors and confirmed some of the suspicions, exonerated the others, and also discovered new protective factors. These results provide scientific evidence directly relevant to the population at risk for developing gout. The study showed the consumption of meat, particularly red meats, significantly increases the risk of gout. Also that the consumption of all types of seafood tended to carry even a higher risk. Notably no increased risk was seen with consumption o
