Tips to Keep Your Uric Acid Levels Constant
High levels of uric acid in the
bloodstream, also known as hyperuricemia, can come about as a result of
either an increase in the production of uric acid in the body or a
decreased excretion of it through the kidneys. This can lead to problems
such as gouty arthritis (uric acid crystal deposits in joints,
typically the big toe), kidney stones, and renal failure. Furthermore,
recent studies have also been associated high blood uric acid levels
with cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Factors that can help contribute to high
uric acid levels include a diet high in purines, excess alcohol
consumption, obesity, renal insufficiency, genetics, underactive
thyroid, and diabetes. Certain cancers, chemotherapy, and other
medications, such as diuretics, may also help contribute to it.
There are some tips and natural remedies that will help reduce and
control your uric acid levels, and 8 of these can be found below.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
As a natural cleanser and detoxifier, apple cider vinegar can help
remove uric acid from the body. This vinegar contains malic acid that
helps to break down and eliminate uric acid. Furthermore, it helps to
restore the alkaline acid balance in the body and provides
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
1. Add a teaspoon of raw, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to a
glass of water.
2. Drink this solution 2-3 times per day.
You can slowly increase the amount of apple cider vinegar to two
tablespoons per glass of water and continue this until your uric acid
levels have decreased.
2. Lemon Juice
Though you might think that lemon juice will make the body more acidic,
in actuality, it has the opposite effect and helps to neutralize uric
acid. Furthermore, its vitamin C content also helps to decrease uric
acid levels.
• Squeeze the juice of a lemon into a glass of warm water, and drink it
in the morning on an empty stomach. Continue to do this for a few weeks.
• You can also take vitamin C supplements, but consult your doctor first
so that they can give you the proper dosage.
3. Cherries
Cherries and other dark berries contain chemicals that help to reduce
uric acid levels. Furthermore, purple and blue-colored berries contain
flavonoids (known as anthocyanins) that help lower uric acid and reduce
inflammation and stiffness.
• Eat half a cup of cherries each day for a few weeks.
• Add blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and other
vitamin C and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is very efficient at lowering uric acid levels and reducing
gout pain. It helps to maintain the natural alkaline balance in the
body, and makes uric acid more soluble and easier to flush out of the
kidneys.
1. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
2. Drink up to four glasses of this a day for two weeks. You can drink
it every 2-4 hours.
Note: Don’t take this remedy on a regular basis. Furthermore, do not
take at all if you suffer from high blood pressure. People over the age
of 60 should not drink more than 3 glasses of this baking soda solution
per day.
5. Water
Drinking a lot of water helps to optimize uric acid filtering. It helps
to dilute the uric acid and stimulates the kidneys to eliminate excess
amounts through urine. Furthermore, drinking enough water can reduce the
risk of recurrent gout attacks.
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.
• Include more water-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet.
6. High-fiber Foods and Starchy Carbohydrates
Foods that are high in dietary fiber help lower uric acid levels by
absorbing it, and then eliminating it from the body. Starchy
carbohydrates are also safe to eat as they contain only small amounts of
purine.
• Whole grains, pears, apples, oranges, and strawberries are some good
examples of high-fiber foods that you should incorporate into your diet.
• Starchy carbohydrates are foods such as rice, whole grain pasta,
potato, bananas, oats, and quinoa.
7. Dairy Products
Low-fat milk and other dairy products have been associated with lower
plasma urate concentrations and a reduced risk of gout. Skimmed milk,
for example, contains orotic acid that decreases the re-absorption of
uric acid, and promotes its removal from the body through the kidneys.
• Drink 1-5 cups of skimmed milk a day.
• Include low-fat yogurt and other dairy products in your diet.
8. Wheatgrass Juice
Wheatgrass helps to restore alkalinity in the blood. Furthermore, it’s
rich in vitamin C, chlorophyll, and phytochemicals that help to promote
detoxification. It’s also a very good source of protein and amino acids
as alternative to eating animal protein.
• Each day, mix two tablespoons of wheatgrass juice with a squeeze of
lemon juice until your uric acid levels come down.