Making the levels of uric acid lower is the answer in looking for the relief for those who suffer from gout. However, the real question here is how to lower uric acid levels. If you want to know more about it, read on!
Uric Acid & Gout
When the uric acid accumulates in the bloodstream, it may consist of an illness known as hyperuricemia. If you happen to have hyperuricemia, you have a higher risk of developing gout. This is the reason why doctors advise those who suffer from gout to avoid foods high in purine.
Apart from eating purine-rich foods, there are also some other probable reasons why the levels of uric acid may get very high, just like the following:
- The kidneys may not properly excrete and get rid of the uric acid from the bloodstream
- The body may produce excessive levels of acid
In order to measure the uric acid levels, you may go through a blood test. Your doctor may take a blood sample from a vein in the arm and measure the amount of uric acid in that particular sample.
Furthermore, the uric acid is also measurable through the urine. This particular method may help the doctor to determine whether the body is producing excessive uric acid. Or the kidneys aren’t straining enough of it. If the uric acid level is above 6.8 milligrams/dL, you may be suffering from hyperuricemia. Your doctor may provide various recommendations basing on the symptoms and the past health status.
The Connection Between Hyperuricemia and Gout
Having a high level of uric acid does not automatically mean that you will have gout. Most of the people that have hyperuricemia don’t experience any signs and symptoms. Many medical experts have yet to fathom why this is the case.
Even though that person has an excruciating joint, it does not always end up being gout. to make sure, the fluids from that particular joint needs to be tested first. Moreover, the asymptomatic hyperuricemia doesn’t require any medical treatment, yet it’s still recommended to get checked by a professional because the condition may indicate some other problems, including:
- Pseudogout– this condition has symptoms that are similar to that of gout. Except that it is due to the calcium phosphate crystals and not the uric acid crystals.
- Kidney stones– the uric acid crystals may accumulate in the kidneys, thus causing kidney stones.
Even though you are only suffering from hyperuricemia, it is still significant to be watchful of the different lifestyle choices. This is actually a chance for you in treating the body much better. So, you should do your best to make healthy decisions, which may improve the conditions, and not make it worse.
8 Ways On How To Lower Uric Acid Levels
Whether you are suffering from hyperuricemia, gout, or various kidney conditions, which can make it happen to filter the uric acid. Here are some ways on how to lower uric acid levels, these may help in managing the condition much better.
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Follow the best gout diet: the best diet for those who suffer from gout is the 80-10-10 gout diet. The diet means you will eat 80% of the daily calories need, like pasta, fruits, legumes, fresh vegetables, etc. 10% of the daily calories that come from lean meats such as fish, red meat, turkey, chicken breast, etc. The last 10% of the daily calories must be fat just like in butter, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, etc. You should only drink water, and avoid sugary beverages, sugary foods, and processed foods. If you will follow this particular diet, you will be able to maintain a much healthier uric acid levels.
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Take apple cider vinegar: the apple cider vinegar is typically used by those who suffer from gout. Most especially in reducing the inflammation as well as the swelling in the joints. When it becomes alkaline in our body, it breaks down the uric acid crystal and helps in the blood purification and circulation.
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Always drink water: take note that water may dilute the uric acid in the blood. Not just that, it may also stimulate the kidney in order to flush the excess uric acid out. It is recommendable that you drink at least 8 glasses of water every single day.
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Fight inflammation: fighting the inflammation may be beneficial in fighting the proteins that are responsible for the inflammation. to be able to reduce the uric acid concentration, you must add some anti-inflammatory foods to the diet like cherries, blueberries, etc.
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Take foods rich in vitamin C and fiber: foods rich in fiber help absorb uric acid from the bloodstream. On the other hand, vitamin C is beneficial in the uric acid excretion.
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Avoid sugar: artificial sweeteners are not good to take when suffering from gout. If you drink too much sugar, the body may find it hard to flush the uric acid out of the body. avoid foods rich in artificial sweeteners.
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Avoid foods rich in purine: in order to avoid the buildup of uric acid, you must avoid foods that are high in it, just like beer, organ meats, processed foods, and seafood.
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Maintain a healthy diet: an extra body weight is linked to the high levels of uric acid. You must work on maintaining a healthy body weight. This is one of the best ways on how to lower uric acid levels.
Read more about: 4-tips to overcome gout flare up
Take note, lowering the uric acid levels is the best solution in preventing any problems related to gout. Follow the aforementioned ways on how to lower uric acid levels, and you are good to go!
