Uric acid is the metabolic product of purine metabolism. Purines are normally produced in the body and help in the formation of DNA and RNA. The levels of uric acid should be maintained within the healthier limits as both high and low levels can create problems or may indicate an underlying health condition.
Consider watching this video to know more about what is arthritis and how its is related to uric acid…
High levels of uric acid in the blood result in a condition called gout. Gout is a type of arthritis in which crystals are formed in the joints (feet and big toes) that cause pain and swelling. There are two types of gout, primary gout, and secondary gout.
Primary gout is a result of metabolic problems, in which either there is an overproduction or under excretion of uric acid. Secondary gout, on the other hand, is because of other causes, e.g., medicines, diseases, tumors, etc.
Low levels of uric acid indicate liver or kidney problems. Fanconi syndrome is a kidney disorder that makes the kidney tubules unable to absorb substances like glucose and uric acid.
This is why it is necessary to maintain uric acid levels to prevent the development of these conditions.
The first step in management is to limit the purine-rich diet. The goal is to limit the intake and not completely stop taking purines as they are healthy otherwise. The foods that contain high purine are tuna, organ meat (liver, kidney, etc.), red meat, poultry, etc.
Certain medications can increase uric acid levels, e.g., diuretics, immune-suppressants, etc.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is the secret of a healthy life. If your weight is maintained, you are safe from a variety of diseases. Obesity increases the risk of developing gout or making it worse. Long-lasting techniques of weight loss should be adopted because rapid weight loss can increase uric acid levels. Increasing the active hours can help you manage weight.
Use of alcohol and soda can increase the risk of developing gout, they shouldn’t only be reduced in quantities but completely avoided for better health benefits as both soda and alcohol will damage the body.
Some researches show that people who drink coffee have a reduced risk of developing gout.
Keeping yourself hydrated is the key, as the water helps the toxins to flush out from your body. If you are not hydrated enough, this can cause accumulation of uric acid, resulting in higher levels than the standard limit, thus increasing the risk of gout.
Avoid juices and other sugary beverages. The higher the sugar levels in the body, the higher will be the uric acid. Eating a healthier diet and reducing the refined sugar intake will help the uric acid levels to be in limit.
Cherries and berries are very beneficial for the prevention of high uric acid levels. Moreover, they also help in reducing the inflammation associated with higher uric acid levels. Low-fat milk and curd also help in lowering their levels.
Vitamin C enriched foods are significant in regulating uric acid levels. Vitamin C breaks down uric acid and aids in its excretion. The foods rich in vitamin C are kiwi, oranges, lemon, guava, etc.
A fiber-rich diet will also help you in maintaining your weight and will lower the blood levels of uric acid. The fibers absorb uric acid from the bloodstream and eliminate it from your body through kidneys.
Higher uric acid levels (gout) are more commonly occurring than lower levels of uric acid. The above-discussed methods, diet, and habits will help you in reducing the abnormally high uric acid that causes discomfort, pain, and inflammation.
Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!