Intake of which one of the following food components should be minimiz

Intake of which one of the following food components should be minimized by patients having Gouty Arthritis due to elevated serum uric acid level ?

Food fibres
Nucleic acids
Lipids
Carbohydrates
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2017
The correct answer is B) Nucleic acids.
Gouty arthritis is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, which leads to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a metabolic breakdown product of purines. Purines are building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
Foods high in purines (e.g., red meat, organ meats, seafood, certain vegetables like asparagus and spinach, and alcohol) contribute to higher uric acid levels. Therefore, minimizing the intake of foods rich in purines, which are directly linked to the metabolism of nucleic acids, is a key dietary recommendation for patients with gout. While overall diet balance is important, purine restriction is specifically targeted at the root cause of hyperuricemia related to diet.