Too much uric acid in the blood can cause gout. Cardiovascular problems can also occur with increased uric acid levels. We reveal Why Is your Uric Acid High and how you can lower your values.
Millions of Indians have high uric acid levels. Many people who suffer from higher levels of uric acid wonder why the Uric Acid High and how they can lower their uric acid production in the body. As a direct result of the high values of uric acid, one may suffer from the disease called gout, which is extremely painful. Gout, in the technical term, is called arthritis uric and can quickly become chronic. Gout is one of the most common inflammatory joint diseases.
How does uric acid get into the blood?
Everyone has uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is created when we metabolize the purines ingested through food. So uric acid is the end product in the breakdown of purine. Our body makes about 2.4 milligrams of uric acid from 1 milligram of purines.
What are purines?
Purines are normal components of many foods. Our body also forms purines itself because it needs these to build the cells. Purines are, therefore, a completely natural product of our cell metabolism and are present in every cell of our body.
How do uric acid levels get too high?
The most common reason for high uric acid levels is a purine filled diet because the purines ingested during through food are normally converted into uric acid by our body and excreted in the urine. Known active ingredients that inhibit the production of urea are, for example, allopurinol or febuxostat. But some people, especially men, excrete too little uric acid. The reason for this is an age-related or genetic metabolic disorder.
What are the Symptoms Of High Uric Acid?
The uric acid accumulates in the blood and forms urate crystals. If the uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints or the tissues, it can cause extreme pain and trigger a gout attack. The urate crystals irritate the joint skin, which also gets burned, and you start feeling pain or burning sensation. Another bad thing is that Urate crystals can even be deposited in the internal organs, such as the kidneys.
What are the normal uric acid levels?
If too many purines are ingested in the diet or too little uric acid is excreted, the uric acid level rises. The normal uric acid levels in the blood range from 3.0 to 6.0 milligrams per 100 millilitres in healthy people. Normally, the uric acid formation in the body and the uric acid excreted by the kidneys are in balance.
If the values are higher, the uric acid crystallizes in the blood. The limit is around 6.5 milligrams per 100 millilitres. The uric acid values are measured with the help of a laboratory blood test.
Which foods to avoid in case of high uric acid?
The following foods contain a lot of purines and must be avoided to reduce the levels of high uric acid in the body.
- Sausage
- Red meat
- Sprats, mussels and crabs
- The skin of poultry or fish
- Organs of animals also called offal
- Soy products
- Legumes
- Apples, oranges
- Beer
How can I lower my uric acid levels?
Gout is a serious illness, and only a specialist can prescribe the right medication for you. But you can also do something yourself to counteract the increased uric acid levels and thus the progress of gout:
1. A balanced, low-purine diet brings your uric acid values back into balance. It is best to limit the amount of purines ingested with food. Stay away from fructose-containing (fruit sugary) food. These are considered gout promoters. These include fruit yoghurts, soft drinks, ice cream, multivitamin juices or granola bars.
2. Doctors recommend a low-protein diet which means that you will need to cut down on meat products and seafood or rather just keep them off the table for some time.
3. The experts allow consuming asparagus or legumes, but only if they are consumed in moderation.
4. Low-fat milk and milk products are also recommended. A quarter of a litre of milk is said to promote the excretion of uric acid.
5. According to patient guidelines, peaches, honeydew melons, cherries, vegetables, salads, olive and rapeseed oil and nuts are good for reducing uric acid values.
6. To lower your uric acid, you should drink at least two litres of water a day. It can also be in the form of juice or herbal tea. Two cups of coffee a day will also help you to excrete excess uric acid.
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7. If you lose fat, you also reduce your uric acid levels. Even if you walk in the fresh air, you are on the right track because every step lowers your uric acid level.