Uric acid is a naturally occurring waste product resulting from the breakdown of compounds found in certain foods. Under normal conditions, uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys and is eliminated in the urine. If the diet is high in foods containing purine, or the kidneys are unable to eliminate excessive uric acid, high uric acid levels occur.
Normal Uric Acid Levels:
• Women: 2.4–6.0 mg/dL
• Men: 3.4–7.0 mg/dL
Values may vary at different labs.
High uric acid levels have also been associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease. There are some tips and natural remedies that can help reduce and control uric acid levels. In addition, proper diagnosis and treatment by a healthcare professional is a must.
Water
Drinking plenty of water helps improve uric acid filtering. It helps dilute uric acid and stimulates kidneys to eliminate excess amounts from the body through urine.
Plus, drinking sufficient water regularly can reduce the risk of recurrent gout (kind of arthritis) attacks. People who drink five to eight glasses of water in the 24-hour period prior to possible gout attack have a 40 percent decreased risk of an arthritis compared with those who drink only one glass of water or less.
High Fiber-Foods
It is recommended that you should add more high-fiber foods to your diet in order to control uric acid level in blood. Dietary fiber absorbs the excess uric acid in your blood and helps it to get eliminated from your body. Oats, bananas and grains such as sorghum (jowar) and pearl millet (bajra) are good sources of soluble fiber.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Being a natural cleanser and detoxifier, apple cider vinegar can help remove wastes from the body. It contains malic acid that helps break down and eliminate uric acid. Apple cider vinegar also helps restore the alkaline acid balance in the body and provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
- Add 1 teaspoon of raw, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
- Drink this solution 2-3 times a day.
You can gradually increase the amount of ACV up to 2 tablespoons per glass of water and continue this remedy until your uric acid levels come down. But do not take apple cider vinegar in excess as it may decrease potassium levels in the body.
Lemon Water
Though it may seem that lemon juice will make the body more acidic, but it produces an alkaline effect. Plus, its vitamin C content also helps lower uric acid levels.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass of warm water.
- Drink it in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Continue for at least a few weeks.
You can also take vitamin C supplements.
Cherries for Uric Acid
Cherries and dark berries contain chemicals that help reduce uric acid levels. Plus, purple and blue-colored berries contain flavonoids called anthocyanins that also reduce inflammation and stiffness.
Eat half cup of cherries daily for a few weeks. You can also drink 1 or 2 cups of sour cherry juice for about 4 weeks.
Also, add blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and other vitamin C and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Wheatgrass Juice
Wheatgrass helps restore alkalinity in the blood. Plus, it is rich in vitamin C that promotes detoxification. It is also a good source of protein and amino acids as an alternative to eating animal protein.
Simply drink one ounce (2 tablespoons) of wheatgrass juice mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice daily until your uric acid level comes down.
Milk
Low-fat milk and dairy products have been associated to reduce risk of gout. Skim milk, for example, contains orotic acid that decreases the re-absorption of uric acid and promotes its removal through the kidneys.
Being healthy is not for special occasions. It is a day to day challenge to strengthen one’s self from within. Good nutrition is as important as cultivating certain healthy habits to reduce your risk of falling prey to some of the chronic lifestyle illnesses that are becoming increasingly common.
