Why do we need to know home remedies for uric acid control? Uric acid is a natural chemical waste that your body gets rid of through the kidneys.
High levels of uric acid in the blood (Hyperuricemia) are not a condition that needs to be treated by medications, mostly it can be unrecognizable however its progression can form uric acid crystals which cause gout or kidney stones.
Let's know more about it.
How does my body reach a high level of uric acid (hyperuricemia)?
Naturally, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is mainly extracted by the kidney despite this, you are at risk of hyperuricemia if:
- You produce too much uric acid
Consuming a rich-purine diet, drinking alcohol causes an acid-base imbalance, or sweat beverages producing fructose a trusted source of purine:
- Your kidney can’t excrete enough uric acid (renal insufficiency)
- You have hypothyroidism
- You take medications that increase uric acid concentration in the blood such as diuretics, cyclosporins, niacin, and ethambutol.
What are the symptoms of hyperuricemia?
As we mentioned before it is an asymptomatic condition that can be indicated by blood tests, although its complications are hard to ignore
- Pain in the joints especially at night
- Swelling, warmth, and redness
- A characteristic pain in the big toe (hallux)
- Kidney stones causing colic pain in acute attacks
- Bloody urine (hematuria)
These complications are reached in stages and whatever stage you are in it’s important to control your uric acid level, either to lessen the pain attacks or to avoid these complications.
Let’s see some home remedies for uric acid control naturally that can be applied easily without any medical interference.
10 Home remedies for uric acid control
Avoid rich purine food
Doctors recommend limiting the consumption of rich purine food instead of eliminating it due to its nutritious value that mainly strengthens your body's muscles.
Typically there are high and moderate levels of purine in:
- Red meat
- Liver and other organ’s meat
- Shellfish
- Sweets with high fructose content
- Lentils and other high-protein vegetables
Lose weight
Not only do body fats cause inflammation which contributes to more intense gout attacks but visceral fats also hinder uric acid extraction and affect your kidney, which is why it’s recommended to maintain a healthy body weight.
Avoid alcohol and sweetened beverages
Empty calories are most probably causing weight gain and affecting your metabolism.
There is a lot of fructose in artificial sweeteners.
Fructose breaks down to purine causing high levels of uric acid
Increase your intake of fibers
High fibers help directly in controlling uric acid levels by decreasing absorption and digestion of purine and indirectly by helping the body to maintain a healthy weight.
You can find fibers in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Rely on low purine diet
Mainly vegetable-based, moderate dairy products consumption, a lot of whole grains, and low red meat diet
Stay hydrated
One of the easiest and safest home remedies for uric acid control is Water, its flush helps your kidney to get rid of uric acid excess.
Cherries
Cherries contain high levels of anthocyanins that have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties reducing the inflammation caused by gout.
Recently it has been proved cherries have no direct effect on uric acid control.
Coffee
Currently, there is insufficient evidence to prove the effect of coffee on the uric acid level in the blood. Still, with limited data, trials are validating its effect on lower uric acid concentration, further studies and trials are required though.
Herbal remedies
Herbs like dandelion root, turmeric, celery seed, ginger, and nettle leaf have been used to support kidney function and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Also, Parsley is one of the most known traditional home remedies for uric acid control, due to its highly alkalizing effect, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and it supports kidney function preventing the formation of kidney stones and helping flushing the already formed ones.
Exercise
You may think this is not one of the home remedies for uric acid control but simple exercises, 15 minutes of cardio, or even dancing can count as a great exercise to:
- Help you lose excess body fat and maintain a healthy weight
- Improve uric acid metabolism
- Relief stress
- Reduce body inflammation
Tips and tricks
As we discussed home remedies for uric acid control, here are some tips to follow these remedies easily
Mediterranean or DASH diet meal plan
Plant-based diets like the Mediterranean diet with minimum consumption of red meat
Set an alarm each hour to drink water.
Keep a water bottle near you to ensure good hydration.
Try to drink 2-3 litres a day.
Avoid soda and artificial sweeteners.
Avoiding fructose in general would be a smart choice. Fructose is a source of purine; it’s found in small amounts in fruits, which is not a problem.
Fruits are a great source of fibers and vitamins, that we consider home remedies for uric acid control.
The issue here is how much artificial sugar contains fructose found in packaged sweets, beverages, or soda.
Take supplements
- Vitamin C with a daily recommended dose of 75–120 mg for adults, you can take it as an OTC supplement or increase its intake in natural sources such as guava, bell peppers, and citrus.
- Omega-3 fatty acid
- Folic acid
Fasting
However fasting can help to control uric acid blood levels, you should be careful with it as gout patients need to avoid dehydration.
When do you have to seek medical help?
You have to know that home remedies for uric acid control are not enough to replace medications or physician advice.
Further progression of hyperuricemia can lead to Gout or kidney stones symptoms, you have to consult your doctor for the right medication also to revise your usual medications which can be the reason for the high uric acid level.
Summary
Home remedies for uric acid control are useful to manage gout, kidney stones, and even the prevention of hyperuricemia complications, you still need to consult your doctor feeling any of the serious symptoms we mentioned before.
Modifying your habits for a healthier lifestyle can help you live with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
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