High URIC ACID LEVEL…..
HIGH URIC ACID…….
Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a natural substance found in the human body. It is produced when the body breaks down purines, which are found in certain foods. Purines are found in many foods including meats, fish, and some vegetables. When you eat these foods, your body absorbs the purines and uses them to build new cells and tissues.
Uric acid is typically excreted in the urine, but when levels become too high, it can lead to health problems. High uric acid levels can cause gout, kidney stones, and other problems. Maintaining healthy uric acid levels is important for overall health.
Causes Uric Acid to fluctuate?
Uric acid levels fluctuate in response to several factors. These include:
- Your diet
- Physical activity.
- How much water do you drink
- How much salt (sodium) do you ingest
Over time, these changes can lead to an increase in uric acid levels or a decrease in healthy levels. Some of the common causes of high uric acidlevels are:
1. Kidney problems
2. Eating too much protein
3. Alcoholism
4. Certain medication
High levels of uric acid can cause deposits of the compound silica to form in the body. This is called gout.
Risk Factors for High Uric Acid Levels
Uric acid levels can also be affected by medications, illness, and other health conditions. If you have diabetes, kidney disease, and high levels of alcohol in your body, your uric acid level may be higher.
Lifestyle changes can help lower the levels of uric acid in your body.
The risk factors for high uric acid levels are not well understood. The following are some of the major risk factors that have been identified:
-Lack of physical activity
-High intake of animal protein
-Excessive alcohol consumption
-Kidney failure
A person with high or low uric acid levels may not always have symptoms. Symptomsmay not appear until a person has had levels outside the normal range for a long period, which can cause health problems.
Symptoms of gout, which high uric acid levels can cause, include:
- painful or swollen joints
- joints that feel warm to the touch
- shiny, discolored skin around the joints
Symptoms of a kidney stone, which high uric acid levels can also cause, include:
- back pain
- pain in the side
- frequent urination
- urine that is cloudy, smells unusual, or contains blood
- nausea or vomiting
Low uric acid levels are less common than high ones. A person with low uric acid levels may urinate more than usual, which can cause dehydration if they are not drinking enough water.
A uric acid test measures the amount of uric acid in the blood or urine.
A person may need the test if they have gout symptoms or kidney stones or are undergoing cancer treatment. The test does not carry any risks.
A healthcare professional may take a small sample of blood with a needle or ask the person to collect their urine over a 24-hour period. Laboratory technicians will then test the sample for uric acid levels.
Doctors may sometimes also perform a
If the doctor needs more information to diagnose health problems that link to uric acid, they may do a physical examination and ask questions about the person’s medical history and current symptoms.
Sometimes, a person will have high uric acid levels but no symptoms of a medical condition. They are unlikely to need treatment unless they develop symptoms.
How to lower uric acid levels naturally
Gout can happen when blood uric acid levels are too high, causing crystals to form in the feet, toes, and other joints. Dietary measures, medications, and supplements can all help reduce uric acid.
Some people need medication to treat gout, but diet and lifestyle changes may also help. Lowering uric acid can reduce the risk of the condition and may even prevent flares.
However, the risk of gout depends on several factors, not just lifestyle. Risk factors include having obesity, being male, and having certain health conditions.
This article reviews natural ways to help lower uric acid levels.
Purines are compounds that occur naturally in some foods. As the body breaks down purines, it produces uric acid. The process of metabolizing purine-rich foods causes the production of too much uric acid, which may lead to gout.
Some otherwise nutritious foods contain a high amount of purines, which means a person may wish to reduce their intake instead of eliminating them all.
Foods with high purine content include:
- wild game, such as deer (venison)
- trout, tuna, haddock, sardines, anchovies, mussels, and herring
- excess alcohol, including beer and liquor
- high fat foods, such as bacon, dairy products, and red meat, including veal
- organ meats, such as liver and sweetbreads
- sugary foods and beverages
Foods with moderate purine content include:
- deli meats
- most other meat, including ham and beef
- poultry
- oyster, shrimp, crab, and lobster
While some foods have a high purine level, others have a lower level. A person may include them in their diet to help lower their uric acid levels. Some foods with low purine content include:
- low fat and fat-free dairy products
- peanut butter and most nuts
- most fruits and vegetables
- coffee
- whole-grain rice, bread, and potatoes
While dietary changes alone will not eliminate gout, they may help prevent flare-ups. It is also important to note that not everyone who gets gout eats a high purine diet.
Certain medications may elevate uric acid levels. These include:
- diuretic drugs, such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide
- drugs that suppress the immune system, especially before or after an organ transplant
- low dose aspirin
Drugs that raise uric acid levels may offer essential health benefits, but people should speak with a doctor before stopping or changing any medications.
Maintaining a moderate body weight may help reduce the risk of gout flares, as obesity
Experts recommend that people focus on making long-term, sustainable changes to manage their weight, such as becoming more active, eating a balanced diet, and choosing nutrient-dense foods. Maintaining a moderate weight can help lower blood uric acid levels and improve overall health.
It is necessary to follow a high uric acid diet that includes:
- Eat fresh fruit, vegetables, whole wheat products, and pulses (high in purine) every day.
- Eat no more than 100g of meat, sausages, fish, and poultry a day.
- Eat low-fat food. The consumption of high-fat foods encourages weight gain.
- Drink at least two liters of low-calorie fluids a day. Recommended fluids are water, tea, and fruit juice.
- The high uric acid diet helps in controlling the levels of uric acid and maintains the health of organs.
Do's And Dont's
Do's:
- Eat more vegetables
- Drink plenty of water
- Exercise between 30 minutes to one hour each day with moderate exercise - brisk walking, team sport, cycling, or swimming.
Don'ts:
- Rely on soft drinks, sweetened cereals, cookies and cakes, donuts and pastries, chips, and confectionery to get you through the day.
- Don't skip meals. Do not snack between meals.
- Avoid eating quickly. Sit and chew each bite.
- Don't eat more than two or three pieces of fruit per day.
- Avoid alcohol and other carbonated beverages.
- Avoid red meatt, organ meats, sea food.
Do's And Dont's
Do's:
- Eat more vegetables
- Drink plenty of water
- Exercise between 30 minutes to one hour each day with moderate exercise - brisk walking, team sport, cycling, or swimming.
Don'ts:
- Rely on soft drinks, sweetened cereals, cookies and cakes, donuts and pastries, chips, and confectionery to get you through the day.
- Don't skip meals. Do not snack between meals.
- Avoid eating quickly. Sit and chew each bite.
- Don't eat more than two or three pieces of fruit per day.
- Avoid alcohol and other carbonated beverages.
- Avoid red meatt, organ meats, sea food.
ReplyDeleteExcellent blog post on high uric acid levels! It's importnat to address this issue promptly to avoid complications. As a Homeopathic Doctor in Punjab, I appreciate the holistic approach mentioned in the article.