In order to get closer to the topic, you need to be familiarized with what uric acid is. It is actually produced from the natural breakdown of the body’s cells and the foods you eat.
Most of the uric acid is filtered by the kidneys and passed out of the body in urine. Nevertheless, when the body produces too much of it, the kidneys will not be able to remove it, thus, its levels in the blood get too high.
If the levels of the uric acid get too high, they might form crystals in the joints and this is a very painful and common condition called gout. What is more, the high levels may also cause kidney stones and kidney failure.
Even though there are a lot of medications out there which might help with the production of less uric acid or to excrete it through urine, you can do this naturally as well.
All you have to do it continue reading and follow our advice.
How to Reduce Uric Acid Naturally
1. Keep Your Weight Down
Obesity is a very high risk for gout. People who are overweight produce more uric acid and the kidneys are not able to remove it as quickly as they should. Some studies have even shown that the risk of gout is higher in obese people.
2. Remember Your Vitamin C
Some studies have also shown that the vitamin C is able to increase the body’s ability to excrete the uric acid. You can take supplements of the vitamin, or you can just incorporate it in your diet. Thus, you will have to start consuming foods like tomatoes, lemons, strawberries, oranges, bell peppers and broccoli which are naturally rich in vitamin C.
3. Cook with Olive Oil
When most of the vegetable oils are heated and processed they turn to rancid fats. Hence, these fats in turn destroy the vitamin E in the body, which is crucial for the control of the uric acid levels. On the other hand, olive oil, which contains monounsaturated fats will remain stable on a high temperature. The olive oil is rich in vitamin E and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Reduce Inflammation
If you add some cherries, blueberries and strawberries to your diet it will help reduce the uric acid levels. This is due to the chemicals they contain called anthocyanins, which are flavonoids. They help to lower the uric acid and reduce the inflammation and stiffness. Other things you should consume are pineapple and celery, they too have anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Put Down Wine
Beer is known to increase the risk of gout, yet, wine is worse. Hence, one study showed that if you drink more than one serving of beer of liquor in a 24 hour period, the risk of a gout attack is increased by 36%. This risk will only rise with every drink consumed. What is worse, wine doubles the risk after one or two servings.
6. Drink a lot Of Water
If you drink a lot of water it will stabilize the uric acid to a normal level. Also, it will dilute the acid and stimulate the kidneys to eliminate it more effectively.
7. Enjoy More Dairy
If you consume more dairy products like cheese, milk and yogurt, it will increase the excretion of the uric acid from the body. However, make sure you pick the low fat dairy options.
8. Avoid Fructose
Fructose-sweetened drinks like fruit juice and soda are one of the main reasons that excess uric production happens. One study discovered that men who drank over six servings of high fructose drinks each week had a greater occurrence of gout.
9. Limit the Intake of Purines
Some studies have shown that if you lead a diet that is high of purines, it will lead to higher uric acid levels and a bigger risk for gout.
They are actually chemical compounds which can be found in the body, which the body converts to uric acid.
Thus, you need to avoid consuming a lot of red meat, oily fish and beer, which are high in purines.
It is true, as you can see that high levels of uric acid can be caused by a lot of factors. However, as you can see, if you make some necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle you can reduce it quickly.
Gout is a very painful condition, thus, you must do anything to avoid it.
If you have already started feeling some pain and swelling in the joints, especially in the big toe, ankle or knee, you need to see your doctor, who will make some tests and give you some treatments to fix this.