How to eliminate uric acid from the body?

Certain health conditions, diet, and genetics can cause high uric acid levels. Avoiding alcohol and limiting certain foods can help lower these levels.

Uric acid is a natural waste product resulting from the digestion of foods containing purines. Purines are found in high concentrations in some foods and are formed and broken down in the body.

Normally, your body filters uric acid through your kidneys and urine. If you consume too many purines or if your body cannot remove this byproduct quickly enough, uric acid can build up in your blood.

A normal uric acid level is below 6.8 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A high uric acid level (above 6.8 mg/dL) is considered hyperuricemia. This can lead to gout and make your blood and urine too acidic.

You can take medication to help flush out uric acid crystals. The more you urinate, the more effective it is. For this reason, drinking plenty of water is also important. Also, drinking eight glasses of water a day is the best way to help your kidneys flush out uric acid.

When you have high uric acid, you need to avoid foods rich in purines such as seafood, red meat. (Photo: Shutter stock).

Here are some ways to help reduce uric acid levels naturally:

Limit foods rich in purines

According to Healthline, foods high in purines include certain meats, seafood, and vegetables. All of these foods contribute to the production of uric acid when digested. Therefore, you should avoid or reduce your intake of foods high in purines, such as red meat, organ meats, fish, shellfish, and poultry.

A 2020 study found that reducing purine-rich vegetables may not affect uric acid levels.

According to Vinmec Hospital, to avoid high uric acid in the blood, you should reduce the amount of protein in your diet, limit eating foods rich in purine protein such as seafood, red meats such as buffalo, beef, goat, animal organs.

At the same time, we need to avoid eating sour foods such as fermented pork rolls, pickled onions, sour soup, sour fruits. because they increase the risk of urate crystallization in the renal tubules, increasing the risk of kidney stones.

Get out of the way

Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits and honey. When your body breaks down fructose, it releases purines and increases uric acid levels. Fructose in drinks is absorbed more quickly than sugar in whole foods because drinks do not contain fiber, protein, or other nutrients.

Other types of sugar added to foods include table sugar, corn syrup…

Drink plenty of water

Drinking plenty of fluids helps your kidneys eliminate uric acid more quickly. Your kidneys filter about 70% of the uric acid in your body. Drinking enough water can help support your kidneys and may reduce your risk of developing uric acid kidney stones.

Avoid drinking alcohol

Drinking alcohol can make you more dehydrated. Research from 2021 suggests it can also cause an increase in uric acid. Some types of alcohol, such as beer, contain higher levels of purines than others. However, even lower-purine alcohol can increase purine production.

Alcohol increases the metabolism of nucleotides, another source of purines that can be converted to uric acid. It also affects the rate of uric acid excretion, leading to increased blood levels.

Drink coffee

Research from 2016 found that coffee can help lower serum uric acid levels in two main ways. It competes with the enzyme that breaks down purines in the body, reducing the rate at which uric acid is produced. It increases the rate at which your body excretes uric acid.

Weight control

Excess body fat can contribute to high uric acid levels. Being overweight can make your kidneys work less efficiently. It can also increase uric acid production and decrease uric acid excretion in your urine.

Blood sugar control

Research from 2019 found that hyperuricemia is associated with the development of diabetes and related complications. People with high blood sugar, such as those with prediabetes or diabetes, are also at higher risk of experiencing the side effects of hyperuricemia.

Eat more fiber

Eating plenty of fiber can help lower uric acid levels. Fiber can also help balance blood sugar and insulin levels. It tends to increase satiety, helping you stay fuller for longer.

Check your medications and supplements

Certain medications and supplements can cause uric acid to build up, including aspirin, diuretics, vitamin B-3 (niacin), immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus…

Thus, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes can help improve gout and other health conditions caused by high uric acid levels. However, they cannot always replace medical treatments.

You should take all prescription medications as directed by your doctor. The right combination of diet, exercise, and medication can help lower high uric acid levels and prevent symptoms.

There are many foods to avoid to help lower uric acid levels. The best way to limit these foods is to create a weekly meal plan. Talk to your dietitian about the best diet for you.