Can fish oil cause high levels of uric acid?
Last Updated Aug 2007
Q: I understand that some fish, such as sardines and anchovies, are high in purines,
which when eaten can raise the level of uric acid in the body, possibly causing
gout or kidney stones. Can taking fish oil cause in high doses cause this as well?
Thanks, Sally
A: Dear Sally,
Uric acid can come from purines or incomplete metabolism of amino acids. The usual
result is gout. The inflammatory consequences of uric acid-induced gout can be
dramatically reduced by using high-dose fish oil. Refined fish oils like OmegaRx
and the Eico series of fish oil are completely free of purines.