How To Reduce Uric Acid

It is important to reduce uric acid, because when blood levels are high, various ailments such as gout, kidney stones or kidney failure can appear. Read on to learn more and learn about the best home remedies to reduce the body’s uric acid .

Uric acid: what do you need to know?

Uric acid is a chemical that results from the chemical breakdown of purines found in foods such as liver, herring, anchovies and sardines. Some vegetables and dairy products also contain purines. However, studies have shown that they have no negative health effects and do not increase the chances of suffering from gout.

Uric acid is recycled when cells die and helps protect blood vessels. The kidneys have the job of filtering it. It is then eliminated in the urine and a small percentage in the faeces. When the body produces excess uric acid, it builds up in the joints, tendons, and certain organs, such as the kidneys.

High uric acid levels play a major role in the development of a disease known as “gout”. However, not all people develop it for this reason (but also due to high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease).

The causes of its increase

The causes of the increase in uric acid are different, from the genetic factor to obesity, through a high consumption of alcohol or a diet with many “negative” purines. Uric acid also increases following the intake of diuretic or immuno-depressant drugs, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hypothyroidism or psoriasis.

One of the things about uric acid excess that is worth mentioning is the fact that there are no obvious symptoms initially.

Home remedies and recipes to reduce or eliminate uric acid

• Eat an apple (red or green) after lunch and dinner, without peeling it. The peel of the apple is rich in vitamin C. Try to propose this dessert as many times as you can for the good health of your body. Apples also contain “healthy” acids, such as malic acid which naturally detoxifies the body and promotes the elimination of uric acid.

• Drink two tablespoons of cherry juice every day. Contains flavonoids (substances that give it a reddish color), great allies as regards the dissolution of uric acid that accumulates in the bloodstream.

• Moderate consumption of purine-rich foods and drinks, such as red meats (pork), lamb, poultry, beans, broad beans, and alcoholic beverages. Try to reduce your consumption of these foods to once a week. Replace them with low-fat and purine foods: boiled rice, bread, cottage cheese and natural yogurt.

Additional home remedies

• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to give your body an important amount of essential minerals of great benefit. Water also eliminates toxins and bacteria and increases the potential of the kidneys, making them work effortlessly. Excess salt and caffeine, on the other hand, causes the opposite effect, that is, it slows down the functions of the kidneys, so try to avoid or reduce the consumption of these foods.

• Detox your body from time to time. Every two months or so, eliminate the uric acid crystals that are deposited in the body. To do this, just dissolve half a tablespoon of baking soda in ¼ liter of water and drink it eight times during the day. This remedy is not recommended for people suffering from hypertension or kidney failure.
• Eat more artichokes. In fact, this vegetable boasts excellent diuretic properties and therefore helps to eliminate uric acid in a natural way through the urine. There are numerous recipes for preparing artichokes, but to keep their properties intact the best way is to eat them boiled, as well as drink the water in which you boiled them.
• Among the foods recommended to reduce uric acid we remember the onion. This serves to purify the body and prevent various ailments. Boil two onions after peeling and cutting them into large slices. Add lemon juice to the onion broth and drink a few cups throughout the day.

• Strawberries are also a great remedy for reducing uric acid and gout. You can prepare an infusion with strawberry leaves or roots, or consume strawberries every day as a dessert.

Other recommended foods

• Complement your diet with foods rich in potassium. It prevents the formation of uric acid crystals and helps the kidneys to eliminate it more easily. Add bananas, avocados, green leafy vegetables (spinach, chard), raisins and prunes, potatoes, watermelon, strawberries and apricots to your diet. We also advise you to consume the complex carbohydrates found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

• Limit or eliminate the consumption of foods sweetened with fructose or corn syrup, as they increase uric acid levels. Fructose is present in carbonated soft drinks or other commercially available beverages (even in some juices). Opt for water or natural juices with no added sugar.
• Use more apple cider vinegar to dress salads and foods. Several researches have revealed that apple cider vinegar helps reduce uric acid, thanks to the high content of potassium and acetic acid. In addition to using it as a condiment, prepare a drink by adding two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of cold water and drink it twice a day.
• Avoid protein-based diets, that is, those that are usually followed to lose weight, because they can cause excessive uric acid production. The best way to lose weight is to eat a healthy diet and exercise.