Animal-based low-carbohydrate diets increase the risk of high uric acid levels by 41%, especially in people with overweight, while plant-based low-carb diets show no similar risk. Digest
Uric acid, a natural waste product found in the blood, can accumulate and cause gout and other serious health issues when levels become too high. Although low-carbohydrate diets are often popular for weight loss and metabolic health, their usual focus on protein and fat—especially from animal sources—may lead to hyperuricemia, a condition characterized by increased uric acid levels. A recent study found that people who followed low-carbohydrate diets high in animal products were 41% more likely to have hyperuricemia than those on plant-based low-carbohydrate diets.
Researchers evaluated the overall, animal-based, and plant-based low-carbohydrate eating patterns of nearly 40,000 adults. Then, they examined how these patterns related to hyperuricemia, defined as uric acid levels above 7.0 milligrams per deciliter for men and 6.0 for women.
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Participants with higher overall low-carbohydrate diet scores were 41% more likely to have hyperuricemia than those with lower scores. This risk was primarily associated with diets high in animal-based protein and fat, which were linked to a 28% greater risk, while plant-based low-carbohydrate diets showed no increased risk. Among participants with overweight, the association was even stronger: Those with the highest scores for animal-based low-carbohydrate diets were 39% more likely to have hyperuricemia.
These findings suggest that animal-based low-carbohydrate diets raise the risk of high uric acid levels, particularly in people with overweight. Low-carbohydrate diets centered on plant foods, however, may offer a way to lower carbohydrate intake without increasing the risk of hyperuricemia. Learn how to follow a plant- and fiber-rich, low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet in this clip featuring Dr. Dominic D'Agostino.