How to Lower Uric Acid Levels Naturally In 3 Simple Steps

94

By JCielo

What is Uric Acid?

Before showing you how to lower uric acid levels naturally, it's important to understand what uric acid is, where it comes from, why high levels can lead to gout, and so why you need to reduce high uric acid levels in the blood...

Uric acid is a byproduct of the chemical breakdown of compounds called 'purines' that exist in our body's cells and in our food.

Purines are very important to us because they provide things like our energy that we all need and our protein. During this process uric acid is produced in the bloodstream.

And uric acid is good for us because it acts as an antioxidant and helps look after the internal linings of our blood vessels.

It's our kidneys' job to process the uric acid produced and excrete waste out of our bodies via our urine, with a little via our stools.


What Causes High Uric Acid in Blood?

Although the kidneys usually maintain uric acid at healthy levels, there are times when they are unable to do this, with the result that excess uric acid is retained in, and circulates in, the blood.

Two of the main causes for high uric acid levels in blood are:-

(1) The kidneys aren't working to their full potential so that they are unable to process and expel sufficient uric acid quickly enough, or...

(2) There is too much uric acid being produced by the metabolizing purines for healthy kidneys to process.

Whatever is the case, the result is high uric acid in the blood.


What is the Result of High Uric Acid Levels in the Body?

High uric acid levels in the blood is a condition known as 'hyperuricemia.' Over time this can lead to the production of uric acid crystals which can settle in the joints, tendons and surrounding tissue.

Now, these crystals are needle-like in shape and are looked upon as foreign objects by the body's defenses. The body's natural anti-inflammatory processes against these crystals cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, inflammation, stiffness and very great pain.

These are the symptoms of a gout attack. In other words, high uric acid levels in the body can lead to gout.


Dr. Philip Conaghan on Gout Video

How to Lower Uric Acid Levels Naturally

More and more gout sufferers are moving away from costly drug-based remedies with their nasty side effects, to more natural remedies. Here are 3 simple tips on how to lower uric acid levels in the blood naturally...

(1) Drink between 2 and 3 liters of water everyday. Drink small amounts regularly throughout the day. Water helps the kidneys to process and flush uric acid out of the body.

(2) Consume a baking soda solution to help dissolve uric acid crystals, and, increase uric acid solubility. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to 8 oz of water. Mix thoroughly, and drink maximum 8 glasses daily. One before bedtime, one when you get up in the morning, and one every 2 to 4 hours between meals. Repeat until the symptoms have gone.

[Note: Since baking soda is high in sodium, change to a salt-free diet whilst taking this remedy. And, if you suffer from high blood pressure, although you can take it as long as you monitor your blood pressure closely, it's better not to use this remedy at all.]

(3) Change to a low purine diet. Since uric acid comes from the breakdown of purines, and, purines also exist in our foods, a gout sufferer needs to go onto a diet that is relatively low in purines. This also means avoiding high purine foods completely...

The general types of food to avoid are fatty red meats, offal, poultry and some seafood. And, it's important to avoid alcohol. Beer, in particular, is a trigger for gout.

The types of foods that make up a low purine diet are things like; essential fatty acids (e.g. tuna, salmon, etc.), low fat dairy products, complex carbohydrates (e.g. bread, cereal, pasta, rice, vegetables, fruit, etc.), fruits such as cherries, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, etc.

These are three of the most effective natural ways to reduce uric acid levels. Try them if you've got gout just now and see how they work for you...

[Final note: As always with natural remedies, first consult your doctor for professional guidance on their suitability to your individual case.]


Dangers of Recurring Gout

Many folks are unaware that not dealing with their gout in a proper manner can be very damaging. By 'dealing in a proper manner,' I mean doing all they can to prevent their gout coming back time and time again. Rather than just treating the symptoms when they have an attack.

You see, frequently recurring gout can lead to many health issues, such as permanent / serious joint damage and kidney problems like painful kidney stones.

And, what makes matters worse is that, a person who experiences just one gout attack, now has a much higher chance of further attacks. In fact, it's almost certain unless they take proper measures to prevent recurring gout.

So, as a gout sufferer, you need to, not only eliminate gout symptoms during an attack, but start on a regimen to prevent your gout returning time and time again...

I recommend the 'Gout Remedy Report' for this. It worked for me, so there is no reason why it shouldn't work for you. Just click here => for my Gout Remedy Report Review.


Gout Treatment Poll

Up until today what treatment have you been following?

  • Drug-based prescription medication
  • Over-the-counter drug-based medication
  • Natural remedies without drugs
  • Drugs and natural remedies
  • None
See results without voting

Disclaimer

The content of this Hub is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for proper medical diagnosis, treatment or advice, and you should not assume that it is. Always consult your health-care provider / physician / doctor before taking any medications, natural remedies, supplements, or making any major changes to your diet.

Was This Hub Useful?

Smireles profile image

Smireles Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Excellent hub. I have a relative with gout and am sending this link. Welcome to hubpages!

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks Smireles, I take that as a great compliment. For the life of me, I don't know why it has taken me so long to join HubPages!

Phil Challis 19 months ago

The natural remedy is always the way to go!

The pharmaceutical company's will never provide a proper cure and their medications lead to secondary illness's which further keep their shareholders happy.

Good work!

frogyfish profile image

frogyfish Level 6 Commenter 17 months ago

Vital information shared here. Thank you!

Pamela N Red profile image

Pamela N Red Level 6 Commenter 12 months ago

Great advice. Thanks for the list of foods that are okay. It seems the list of no-no's is much longer so we aren't sure what we can have.

Gout Home Remedies 11 months ago

Gout is very painful. Most doctors and experts say that the main cause of gout can be attributed to diet and genetics. I also read that gout flare ups can arise if one is drinking to many sweetened beverages. So try to cut back on the soda... Also take vitamin C that helps with gout..

RAVI 7 months ago

Really Informative for me affecting due to high uric acid levels

rajan jolly profile image

rajan jolly Level 7 Commenter 7 months ago

Great hub. Simple remedies to lessen uric acid levels. Thanks Jcielo for the info.

waseem 7 months ago

very informative for me. Thanks for share great information.

RAJSEKAR 6 months ago

Great Hub.. Very simple and very clear all depends on us to practica and become perfect..

God Bless you...

bangingbeauty profile image

bangingbeauty 6 months ago

This is great advice that everyone should have a look at. Cheers, BB

Neha tathgir 6 months ago

I found it very helpful in directing my dear ones having high uric acid problem.

RVDaniels profile image

RVDaniels Level 3 Commenter 6 months ago

helpful indeed. I plan to start using baking soda more.

thesingernurse profile image

thesingernurse Level 6 Commenter 4 months ago

Very informative hub. Voted up! :D

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 4 months ago

Thanks thesingernurse. And thanks to all of the good folks above for their kind comments too. So sorry to be so lax in replying to you all. My new year's resolution is to reply in a speedier manner!

pankaj rao 3 months ago

Wonderful fantastic

J Sykes 2 months ago

I've heard it all before. I've tried everything

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 2 months ago

@J Sykes... Please don't give up! There is a remedy / remedies out there for you.

Remember, that not everything works for everybody as everyone's metabolizm is different. You just have to find what's best for you.

For example, I can eat shellfish (reckoned to be a gout time-bomb) till the cows come home without triggering an attack, but if I overdo the beer then that's a different matter. On the other hand, wine doesn't cause me a problem, but does for my brother-in-law.

The things that have worked best for me, maintenance-wise, are my healthier low-purine diet which I stick to, eating lots of vegetables and fruit, and drinking plenty of water. The key is to find what works for you and stick with it religiously.

I haven't had even the sniff of an attack for a number of years now.

nathanathma 2 months ago

thanking you very much thanksssssssssss.....

loy 2 months ago

Consume a baking soda solution to help dissolve uric acid crystals, and, increase uric acid solubility. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to 8 oz of water. Mix thoroughly, and drink maximum 8 glasses daily. One before bedtime, one when you get up in the morning, and one every 2 to 4 hours between meals. Repeat until the symptoms have gone.can you tell me exactly amount of water to be mixed with 1/2 teaspon baking soda?am not clear with 8oz

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 2 months ago

@loy - 8oz is the same as 250 ml (1/4 of a litre) or a cup. Hope this helps, and thanks for taking the time to read my hub.

Harveyb2 3 weeks ago

Good information and well written Thanks

Colonel Satnam Singh 12 days ago

Very informative hub on problems of Gout and the Uric Acid Levels. I am sending the link to a friend who is suffering from Gout. Thanks JCielo for sharing such an important information

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 12 days ago

@Harvey @Colonel Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments.

Arun 11 days ago

Thanks for the information. I had the gout symptoms on my right toe joint, four years ago and I had just taken Tylenol to reduce the pain. It took 10 days to reduce to normal. Since yesterday I see the symptom again at the same place. Now this information is very very helpful. You are right sir, after crossing 50s it is better to avoid drugs and adopt natural ways and what you have given is the correct advice. You have explained neatly, what, why and how. Thanks again.

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 11 days ago

Arun, I'm glad you found the material helpful. Thanks for leaving such a positive comment. Remember though to check with your doctor first before making any significant changes to your diet or taking on any natural remedies.

umo 8 days ago

Thank you very much. I have been eating some of the things on the list, and I do feel better.

umo

Sunny Harjani 8 days ago

I just found that I have 8.7 URIC ACID last week.

Am happy to find out about this paper.

Sunny Harjani

Sunny.harjani57@gmail.com

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 8 days ago

@umo Glad to hear I've been able to help.

@Sunny Thanks for stopping by and I hope some of the tips here can help you get your uric acid levels down.

george bell 2 days ago

My father in law is suffering from Gout, kidney stones and high blood pressure, He is Chinese indonesian , He eats a lot of white rice and noodles, how do these affect his problems, Can you recommend any specific changes in diet for him, how about Chili??? as they eat lots too,, Thanks for your advice,

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 2 days ago

George...For Gout see my 3 tips above.

And here are resources for Kidney Stones and High Blood Pressure Diets...

Kidney Stones:- http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidney

High Blood Pressure:- http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-press

Hope this helps.

Fatima 41 hours ago

Hi JCielo, my husband had an attack 2 weeks ago. Went to an orthopedic he told us that it's gout asked him to take a full blood count and as well as serum test. He asked us to take another test after a week with a proper low purine diet, but the result is still the same, as in the uric acid has not gone down. Please help as my husband is really worried. Thank you.

Worried Soul.

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 40 hours ago

Fatima, a week isn't long enough to see any significant change. Your father should stick with the low purine diet as his doctor advised. And drink 2 to 3 litres of water daily to help stay hydrated. He might want to try the baking soda solution I talked about too.

JCielo profile image

JCielo Hub Author 25 hours ago

Hamid, thanks for leaving your comment. But I have to point out that I'm not a doctor! I'm just a guy who has suffered badly with gout in the past and who took responsibilty for my own health by researching the subject thoroughly.

First off, 3 gout attacks in 10 years isn't all that bad. I used to have several a year before I learned how to manange them.

Because of your allergic reactions to the drugs mentioned you need to try to adjust your diet. Everybody can change their diet to some extent. Even if you don't want to avoid those foods you listed, at least reduce the amount you consume. For example, limit yourself to a maximum of 6 ounces of lean meat, poultry, or fish per day.

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.



    • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
    • Comments are not for promoting your Hubs or other sites

    Please wait working