How to Reduce Uric Acid

Very often, a high level of uric acid occurs when the kidneys do not effectively remove uric acid. The things that can cause this slowing in the elimination of uric acid include rich foods, overweight, diabetes, intake of some diuretics (sometimes called water pills) and consumption of too much alcohol. Other less common causes are a diet rich in elements containing purines or the body that produces too much uric acid.

Some health problems can also lead to high levels of uric acid:

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Some types of cancer or chemotherapy
• Psoriasis

Read on to find out how you can naturally lower uric acid levels in your body.

Avoid Purine Rich Foods

You can avoid the source of uric acid in your diet. Rich foods include certain types of meat, fish and vegetables. All these foods release uric acid when digested.

Avoid or reduce food intake such as:

• Organ meat
• Pork meat
• Turkey
• Fish and shells
• Scallops
• Mutton
• Veal
• Cauliflower
• Peas
• Dried beans
• Mushrooms

Avoid Sugar Consumption

While uric acid is usually linked to protein-rich foods, recent studies show that sugar can also be a potential cause. Sugars added to foods include table sugar, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup, among others.

Sugar fructose is a major kind of simple sugar in processed and refined foods. Researchers have discovered that this type of sugar can lead in particular to high levels of uric acid.

Check the food labels to add sugar. Eating more whole foods and fewer packaged foods can also help you cut down on sugars, while allowing you to follow a healthier diet.

Sugary Drinks

Sweetened drinks, soda and even fresh fruit juices are concentrated with fructose and glucose-containing sugar.

You should also note that high fructose corn syrup contains a mixture of fructose and glucose, usually 55% fructose and 42% glucose. This is similar to the ratio of 50% fructose to 50% glucose in table sugar.

Fructose from the refined sugar of juice or other foods is absorbed more quickly than sugar by foods that have a natural make-up that must be broken down in the body. A faster absorption of refined sugars increases the blood sugar level and also leads to greater amounts of uric acid. Replace sugary drinks with filtered water and high-fiber shakes.

Drink Water

The consumption of many liquids helps the kidneys to flow uric acid more quickly. Always keep a bottle of water. Set an alarm every hour to remind you to do some swallowing.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can make you more dehydrated. It can also trigger high levels of uric acid. This is because the kidneys must first filter the products that appear in the blood due to alcohol rather than uric acid and other waste. Some types of alcoholic beverages, such as beer, are also rich in purine.

Weight Loss

Along with your diet, extra pounds can increase uric acid levels. Fat cells produce more uric acid than muscle cells. Furthermore, transporting extra kilograms makes it more difficult for the kidneys to filter uric acid. Weight loss too quickly can affect levels. If you are overweight, it is best to avoid mild diets and eat accidentally. Talk to a nutritionist about a healthy diet and a weight loss plan that you can follow.

Check Your Insulin Levels

Check your blood sugar level when you visit your doctor. This is important even if you do not have diabetes. Adults with type 2 diabetes may have too much insulin in the blood stream. This hormone is needed to move blood sugar into cells, where it can nourish every bodily function. However, too much insulin leads to excess uric acid in the body and weight gain. People with a condition called prediabetes may also have a high level of insulin and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Your doctor may want to check your serum insulin levels in addition to your blood glucose level if suspected insulin resistance is suspected.

Eat More Fiber

Eating more fiber will help your body to reduce uric acid levels. Furthermore, fiber can help balance blood sugar and insulin levels. It also tends to increase satiety, helping to reduce the risk of overeating. Add at least 5-10 grams of soluble fiber a day with whole foods, such as:

• Fresh, frozen or dried fruit
• Fresh or frozen vegetables
• Oats
• Nuts
• Barley

Avoid Stress

Stress, bad sleep habits and insufficient exercise can increase inflammation. Inflammation can cause a high level of uric acid. Practice mental techniques like breathing exercises and yoga to help you manage stress. Join a lesson or use an app that reminds you to breathe and stretch several times a day. Practice good sleep hygiene, such as:

• Avoid digital displays for two or three hours before going to bed
• Sleep and wake up every day at regular times
• Avoiding caffeine after noon

Talk to your doctor if you have insomnia or difficulty sleeping.

Check Medicines and Supplements

Some medicines and supplements can also cause the accumulation of uric acid in the blood. These include:

• Aspirin
• Vitamin b-3 (niacin)
• Diuretics
• Drugs that suppress immunity
• Chemotherapy drugs

If you need to take any of these medicines and you have hyperuricemia, your doctor can work with you to find a good alternative.

Takeaway

Diet, exercise and other changes in healthy lifestyle can improve gout and other diseases caused by a high level of uric acid. However, they cannot always replace the necessary medical treatments. Take all prescribed medicines according to your doctor's instructions. The right combination of diet, exercise and medication can help maintain symptoms. There may seem to be many foods that you should avoid to help reduce uric acid levels. The best way to limit these foods is to prepare a weekly meal plan. Talk to your nutritionist for help in preparing the best diet for you.