Many people, living all over the world consult their health care providers, to know more about medication, foods or a home remedy for uric acid. This is more common, when people realize that they are suffering from health problems, like gout, due to high uric acid levels in the body. In fact, there are many people who are not even aware of what uric acid really is or how high uric acid and gout are correlated. It is possible for people to avoid high uric acid levels and gout, by following a proper uric acid diet chart right from the beginning.
Uric Acid can be described as a waste product, which is created in the body, after all the purines have been processed. It is the liver that creates uric acid, which is then eliminated in the form of urine. The uric acid is carried in the blood and also passes through the kidneys. Hence almost all people have some amount of uric acid in the body, which is no cause for concern at all. Uric acid, on its own, is not harmful, though excess amounts of this substance can be. What causes uric acid levels in the body to rise is a diet that contains a high amount of purine-rich foods. When the uric acid in the body reaches a very high level, it begins to form crystals, which accumulate in the joints, especially in the feet and the toes. These uric acid crystals in the joints lead to an immensely painful condition, known as gout.
What causes uric acid levels to rise?
The primary factor leading to high uric acid levels in the urine and blood is following a diet which mainly consists of those foods that are high in purines. However, at times, the levels of uric acid in the body could be elevated, because of more serious underlying causes too, which require immediate medical attention. People could suffer from uric acid gout levels, because of other illnesses and health conditions too, like cancer or kidney diseases. Some of the other factors that could also lead to excessive uric acid in the body are:
- Consumption of high amounts of caffeine or alcohol
- Genetics or family history
- Leukemia
- Obesity
- Psoriasis
- Take immune suppressing drugs
- Underactive thyroid, which is also known as hypothyroidism
- Use of diuretics or water pills
Therefore, it is absolutely essential to consult a doctor and identify the cause of the high uric acid, as soon as the symptoms become evident.
Symptoms: When the levels of uric acid in the blood go too high, people can experience serious health problems such as kidney stones, gout or even kidney failure. Some of the symptoms that are associated with these conditions include:
- Discomfort in the joints, especially the toes
- Fever
- Frequent urination or difficulty in urinating
- General swelling in some parts of the body
- Inflammation, tenderness, swelling, soreness and redness in the joints that are affected
- Pain in the sides, abdomen, back or groin
- Peeling of the skin in some areas
- Presence of blood in the urine or drastic changes in the color of the urine
- Vomiting or nausea
- Weakness, lethargy and shortness of breath
As soon as any of these symptoms are noticed, it is important for people to consult their doctors for tips on how to reduce uric acid.
Treatment: High uric acid levels treatment may vary on the factors that have caused the problem. In case the uric acid levels in the body are high due to an underlying disease or condition, it is important to first get the disease treated. In addition to that, there are several medicines that can be prescribed by a doctor, for either excreting high amounts of uric acid, or preventing the body from making and absorbing uric acid. There are many doctors who also advise patients to try natural remedies for uric acid reduction or also kidney stones that could result from uric acid. Some of the most widely recommended herbal uric acid remedies include Devil's Claw, Alfalfa, Burdoch, Bachu and Celery Seed. However, before using any of the natural remedies for uric acid buildup, it is important to consult an herbalist, as well as a doctor, for the recommended doses.
The treatment of this affliction is incomplete, without following a diet for high uric acid levels in blood. Since there are certain foods that increase the levels of uric acid in the blood, they should be completely eliminated in a diet for high uric acid patients. Given below are some of the foods that are bad for people suffering from high uric acid:
- Red meat, such as lamb, beef and pork as well as meat organs, like tongue, liver, kidneys, brain, and so on. Meat enriched gravies also should be avoided as they are high in purines.
- Seafood varieties, especially herring, haddock, anchovies, cod, sardines, fish eggs, mussels and scallops.
- Certain other plant-based food like spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, asparagus and beans
- Beverages that contain caffeine, alcohol or high amounts of sugar
Since there are some foods that reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood, they should be included in a uric acid gout diet. One of the first suggestions by most doctors is to consume a pound of wild cherries or black cherries every day, as they are high in anthocyancoids, which cause the levels of uric acid in the body to drop drastically. The cherries can be either eaten as a fruit, or consumed in the form of a juice (without any sugar). Given below are some of the other food items that can help expedite uric acid gout treatment and work as excellent uric acid gout remedy. These include:
- Cereals
- Low fat dairy products, like milk, yogurt and cheese
- Fresh fruits like bananas, papaya, strawberries and blueberries
- Nuts
- Rice
- Seeds
- Raw or steamed vegetables (except potatoes and corn)
There is a lot of information on how to reduce uric acid naturally, easily available through various resources. However, it is best to consult a doctor before following any tips. Women who suffer from high uric acid levels during pregnancy should seek immediate medical attention and should ensure that a doctor monitors their condition continuously.
answered by G M