How to Reduce Uric Acid with diet?
Our body makes uric acid when it breaks down a substance called purine which is present in many foods. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys and leaves the body in urine. But if your body makes too much uric acid or your kidneys aren’t working well, uric acid can build up in the blood.
Higher uric acid levels in the blood are called hyperuricemia and are detected by blood tests. The standard upper limit of uric acid in the blood is 6.8mg/dL. Anything over it is considered a harmful condition that favors the precipitation of uric acid crystals in joints and tissues, leading to complications such as gout, kidney stones, and chronic kidney diseases.
Healthy eating and proper medication help reduce uric acid in the blood. Below are some of the eating habits that you must follow if you want to reduce uric acid. But first, follow your doctor’s prescription.Â
10 diet tips to reduce uric acid
Limit purine-rich foods
The best way to reduce uric acid levels in the blood is by limiting the amount of purine-rich foods in your diet. First, determine the amounts of purine-rich foods in your diet and do not exceed more than 2 to 4 servings per week.
The purine-rich foods include
- Sugary soft drinks
- Fried foods
- Fats like butter and margarine
- High-fat dairy products
- Alcoholic beverages (all types).
- Organ meats such as liver, kidneys, tripe, and sweetbreads.
- Red meat, chicken, pork, and bacon.
- Seafood like anchovies, sardines, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout, crab, oyster, lobster, and shrimp.
Note: If you have a family history of gout or uric acid kidney stones, limit the use of purine-rich foods. During an episode of gout or if you have kidney stones, totally avoid them.
Drink plenty of water
Increased water intake inhibits the concentration of uric acid in blood and kidneys and flushes away the uric acid crystal from the body. The daily recommended amount of water intake is six to eight glasses. You can also discuss the water intake amount with your doctor. As in many severe cases of kidney stones, doctors may recommend less water intake.Â
Low-fat dairy product
Drinking low-fat milk and eating low-fat dairy can reduce uric acid levels and the risk of a gout attack, as the proteins in milk promote uric acid excretion in the urine. Conversely, avoid full-fat dairy product intake as it aggravates the retention of uric acid in the body.Â
Increase phytate-rich foods
Phytate is mainly found in grains, nuts, and seeds and inhibits kidney stone formation by complexing with calcium, preventing crystallization. Foods high in phytic acid include cereals, legumes, and certain vegetables like potatoes, turnips, beets, and carrots.
Add fiber to your diet.
A high-fiber diet may help reduce blood uric acid levels. Individuals can find fiber in foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Vitamin c rich foods
Vitamin C helps reduce the level of uric acid in the blood serum. Try eating foods that are rich in Vitamin C each day. Foods that are rich in vitamin C include:
Citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, kiwi fruit, berries, cantaloupe, pineapple, mango, papaya, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, and sweet and white potatoes.
Eat cherries
Eating cherries every day helps reduce the level of uric acid in the blood. If you have an attack of gout, drink three to four glasses of tart cherry juice to relieve it within 12-24 hours.
Limit high fructose foods
High-fructose products include soda and some juices, cereal, ice cream, candy, and fast food. These foods with added fruit sugars, like high-fructose corn syrup, have been shown to increase the build-up of uric acid in the body.
Sip on coffee
Coffee consumption in moderation, especially regular caffeinated coffee, has an inverse relationship with uric acid levels. Drinking coffee may not be appropriate if you have other medical conditions.Â
Sip on green tea
Green tea decreases the risk of uric acid-containing kidney stones. Drink about two to three cups of green tea daily to reduce uric acid levels.
Take away
A low purine diet may reduce the uric acid levels in the body and lower the risk of gout and kidney stone, but it may not be enough to treat the disease. People who eat a balanced diet still get the disease, and not everyone who eats a purine-rich diet develops gout symptoms. A reasonable way to reduce the risks associated with higher uric acid levels in the body is to speak to your doctor and ask for advice.
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this blog post is not aimed at substituting for professional medical advice or treatment. It’s always appreciated to contact your healthcare provider before starting, shifting, or halting any health treatment.