Home Remedies For Uric Acid

You must have come across people who complaint about having something called ‘Gout’. Gout is a disease characterized by an abnormal metabolism of uric acid, resulting in an excess of uric acid in the tissues and blood.

Uric acid is a product of metabolic breakdown of purine nucleotides. And, high serum uric acid can lead to a condition called gout. The chemical is associated with other medical conditions including kidney stones and diabetes.

Normal results are between 3.5 and 7.2 milligrams of uric acid per deciliter of blood (mg/dL)

Follow these tips which will help you lower your uric acid levels:

1. Increase water intake- Water is required to flush off the uric acid formed in the body. When the body is well hydrated, uric acid crystals are difficult to form. Drink at least 3-4 liters per day to remove the uric acid from the body. You can include buttermilk, coconut water, lemon water, green tea etc to increase your overall fluid intake
2. Reduce intake of purine rich food- Uric acid is formed by breakdown of proteins called Purines. Although, it is naturally formed by the body, it is also obtained from certain foods like red meat, mushrooms, baked products containing yeast and fermented products. You can include lentils, split dals, milk, egg whites etc to improve your protein intake.
3. High Fiber food– Foods high in fiber absorb uric acid present in the blood stream and thus easily eliminating it through kidneys. Good fiber sources are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and products over refined products.
4. Avoid intake of caffeine and alcohol- Caffeine and products containing caffeine like coffee, tea, aerated drinks, and alcohol hinder excretion of uric acid from the blood stream by binding it
5. Consume good amount of Vitamin C rich foods- Vitamin C helps in excretion of uric acid. Sources of Vitamin C- Citrus fruits, bell peppers, cabbage, amla (Indian gooseberry), guava, etc will help reduce Uric Acid.
6. Reduce sugar intake- Sugar interferes with excretion of uric acid. A study mentioned that daily intake of 300 ml serving of sweetened drink increases chances of gout by 13%
7. Consuming Apple cider vinegar- Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which turns alkaline in body making the environment alkaline. It is said that it breaks the uric acid crystals and prevents from recurrence by aiding blood circulation and purification. It reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints allowing for better flexibility of the joints

Step 1

Drink more water and less caffeine or alcohol. MayoClinic.com notes that high uric acid concentrations can result from excessive use of alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine promote purine production, which contributes to increased uric acid in the blood. Drinking citrus drinks, such as lemonade or orange juice, can reduce uric acid levels in the event of kidney stones from these sources; however, consult with a physician to determine the type of stone formed. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse suggests drinking plenty of water to flush uric acid and prevent uric acid stone formation.

Step 2

Stop eating purine loaded animal proteins. Purines are natural substances found in most foods, which break down in the body to form uric acid. A small amount of foods contain high concentrations of purines such as organ meats, herring and sardines. The George Mateljan Foundation notes that high purines levels are also found in anchovies, bacon and asparagus.

Step 3

Eat a diet low in sodium and processed foods. Salt is made of sodium and excess consumption of sodium carries the risk of causing a rise in uric acid and oxalate, leading to kidney stone formation, notes the Cleveland Clinic. MedlinePlus indicates that following a healthy diet plan such as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH diet, has the added benefit of reducing or preventing high uric acid levels. The DASH diet emphasizes healthier eating, low sodium and consumption of fresh foods to prevent purine accumulation.

Step 4

Take medications as directed. In the event that you require medications for high levels of uric acid, follow the physician prescribed directions. Uricosuric drugs with sodium bicarbonate, block the reabsorption of urate to prevent increased uric acid levels, notes Chemocare.

Tips

• Foods low in purine include milk, lettuce and green vegetables.

  Warnings

  • Supplements containing vitamin C or D can increase the risk of kidney stone formation and raise uric acid levels, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.