Uric Acid Diet

High uric acid levels in the blood stream can lead to a common form of arthritis called gout. To prevent gout, it is essential to maintain good eating habits and have proper medication. To reduce the uric acid levels in blood, you may need to limit intake of alcohol and reduce purine rich foods. Digestion of purine leads to the formation of uric acid. If uric acid is not eliminated normally which is seen in gout sufferers, it can build up in the blood stream leading to joint inflammation and pain.

Uric acid diet measures for how to reduce uric acid in diet And Uric Acid Foods that help reducing uric acid levels:

• Tofu which is made from soybean is a good choice than animal foods.
  Tofu can alter the plasma protein concentration and increase uric acid clearance and excretion.
• Uric acid level in the body can be reduced by cutting down the foods that contain high amount of purines. Foods with high purine content include anchovies, broth, roe, sardines, yeast, sweetbread and mincemeat. Avoid these foods totally. Some foods have moderate purine content like fish, lentils, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and shellfish. One serving of meat, fish or fowl or one serving of vegetable is allowed daily. Foods low in purine are fruits, olive, vinegar, cereal and cereal products, vinegar and rice. These foods can be consumed daily.
• Uric acid diet should be relatively high in carbohydrates, moderate in protein and low in fat. Complex carbohydrates like whole grain cereals, fruits and vegetables contain fiber that can help in proper digestion of the foods and assimilation of the nutrients. Fiber can avoid excessive build up of the uric acid.
• Reduce the intake of protein rich foods to 15 percent. Prefer soybean that has been defatted, lean meat and sprouts  that provide good quality protein but low fat content.
• Fresh fruits like apples, bananas, oranges and lime are beneficial. Cherries are considered to be beneficial in reducing uric acid levels. You can have juice of black cherry which is also called as sour cherry. Cherries contain certain natural chemicals that can lower uric acid levels and reduce inflammation.
• Excess of alcohol can increase the uric acid production. Preferably avoid the consumption of alcohol.
• Drink plenty of water or fluids (3 liters/day) like fresh juices or soups that can help in excretion of uric acid.

Uric Acid in Blood Reduction Foods

• Maintain an ideal body weight. Gradual weight loss is beneficial rather than drastic loss weight. You can reduce your body weight by dietary modifications and exercise.
• You can consult a doctor who can help you in reducing uric acid levels. Get the uric acid levels checked regularly.

Uric acid is produced by the body when substances called purines are broken down. Purines are present in many different foods. High levels of uric acid in blood constitute a condition known as hyperuricemia. Some individuals with high uric acid levels may develop health problems such as kidney stones or gout. Normal levels of uric acid range between 3.4 and 7.0 mg/dL for men and 2.4 and 6.0 mg/dL for women. There are many factors that lead to increased levels of uric acid in blood and urine. Uric acid levels rise when uric acid production increases or when its removal from the body through the urine does not take place properly. Increased amounts of uric acid in blood samples are usually associated with excessive consumption of high purine foods. Increased consumption of caffeine and alcohol can also cause uric acid levels to increase. Other causes of high uric acid levels include medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, lymphoma, leukemia, and the intake of certain medications that suppress the immune system. In some cases, the tendency to develop high uric acid levels may also be inherited. Dietary changes are often recommended for those with high uric acid levels. A uric acid diet is low in purine foods and hence helps to regulate uric acid levels in the body.

Gout is one of the most common conditions caused by excessively high levels of uric acid in the blood. It occurs when uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints of the body. It usually affects the toes and causes inflammation. There may also be swelling, tenderness and warmth in the affected joints. A low uric acid diet is usually prescribed for those suffering from gout. Kidney stones may also form due to high uric acid levels. This can lead to pain in lower back and abdomen and discomfort while urinating. In most cases, a special diet for uric acid helps to control the condition. Food such as red meat, organ meat and certain seafood should be eliminated from the diet. There are even some vegetables such as asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and cauliflower which have high levels of purines and hence must be avoided. It is also essential to increase vitamin C intake in order to boost immunity. Excess amounts of uric acid can also be flushed out from the body by drinking plenty of water.

Protein rich foods, sugary foods and alcohol are part of a high uric acid diet and hence must be strictly avoided. Alcohol can lead to an aggravation of gout. Protein sources such as poultry, eggs and fish are also high in purines and the consumption of these foods must be restricted. Sugary foods such as cakes and cookies as well as soft drinks can aggravate gout attacks. Even fruits rich in fructose such as oranges can contribute to joint pain. Treatment for high levels of uric acid in the blood may also include drug therapy which helps the body to either restrict the production of uric acid or excrete a greater amount of uric acid.

Uric acid is a waste product, present in the blood, which is usually the result of the breakdown of purines in the body. Uric acid is usually manufactured in the liver, from where it gets transported by the blood, as it passes through the kidney and is then finally emitted in urine. In case you eat a uric acid diet that is very high, it is only natural that the levels of uric acid in your body rise to a considerable extent. For some people, the presence of high levels of uric acid in the body is not really a cause for concern. However, excessive uric acid production in the body can also lead to a painful condition known as gout. This occurs when the excessive uric acid in the blood forms crystals and accumulates in the joints. This condition is prevalent in those people who eat a high uric acid diet. Therefore, people who suffer from gout are generally asked to follow a low uric acid diet, where foods that are high in purines are eliminated from their diets. Foods that are very high in purines and are a part of a diet for uric acid are:

•  Meats, meat products like organs as well as meat extracts: Therefore foods which include lamb, pork, venison and beef should be avoided, along with liver, brain, kidneys and tongue. Gravies that have been enriched using meat extracts are bad for gout patients too. It has been seen that some foods which are very high in proteins can raise uric acid levels in the body.
•  Vegetables with protein: In order to control the production of uric acid in the body, it best to restrict the intake of green leafy vegetables such as cauliflower, spinach, kale, broccoli and so on. Asparagus, mushrooms, beans and peas should also be strictly avoided.
•  Certain varieties of seafood: Some types of fish, which include prawns, sardines, haddock, cod, lobsters, shrimp, clam, anchovies, oysters, herring, fish eggs, mussels, and scallops are known to increase the levels of uric acid in the blood and therefore, should be avoided.
•  Sweets: Foods that are high in sugar can aggravate the symptoms of gout and can cause several other health problems, at the same time. Therefore, sweets should only be consumed in small quantities.
•  Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages, especially beer should be eliminated completely, from a uric acid gout diet.

There are some food items, like black cherries, which are excellent for reducing uric acid levels within the body. Therefore, it is important to consume such foods everyday and at the same time, increase the intake of water. Drinking between 10 and 12 glasses of water a day is absolutely essential, in order to reduce uric acid in the body effectively. Certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart problems and chronic kidney diseases can occur due to high levels of uric acid in the body. However, it has still not been determined if the raised uric acid level is responsible for these conditions, or if it is merely a symptom.

Uric acid gout diet

Uric acid is a waste product that is left behind after purines in the body are broken down. This acid is created in the liver and gets eliminated in the urine. The blood carries this acid around, which also passes through the kidney. When people eat a diet that contains a lot of foods, high in purines, it leads to an increase in the levels of uric acid in the body. While uric acid on its own is not really harmful to the body, an excess of it can lead to a very painful condition known as gout. The extra uric acid, which does not get eliminated in the urine accumulate in the joints, in the form of crystals. People who suffer from gout are usually asked to follow a strict uric acid reduction diet, in order to prevent the gout attacks, which can be very painful. Uric acid reduction in a diet can prevent the condition from getting too painful. Therefore, given below are a few tips for following a special uric acid gout diet, which can reduce the severity of the condition:

•   Avoid or preferable eliminate the consumption of alcohol completely. Alcoholic beverages, especially wine and beer are extremely high in purines which raise the levels of uric acid in the body to a great extent. Alcohol consumption also interferes with the proper removal of uric acid from the body,
•   An increase in the consumption of dairy products can help prevent uric acid gout problems from occurring. Most doctors advise gout patients to increase their consumption of low fat milk, yogurt and cheese.
•   Water not only plays one of the most important roles in uric acid reduction, it also flushes out the toxins from the digestive system. A minimum of 8 glasses of water should be consumed by people who suffer from gout.
•   Meats are usually very high in purine and therefore, the consumption of red meats, organs like tongue and liver, as well as gravies that have been enriched with meat should be completely avoided.
•   Fresh fruits are excellent for uric acid reduction and therefore, fruits like bananas, strawberries and blueberries should be consumed regularly by gout patients. Most doctors also recommend the daily consumption of black cherry, wild cherry or cherry juice in order to control uric acid gout.
•  Many fresh vegetables are good for reducing uric acid in the body; however, certain foods like spinach, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus, peas and beans should be eaten only in limited quantities.
•  Any foods or beverages, which are very high in sugar, could aggravate gout and other symptoms of high uric acid.Therefore, sweets should be avoided or consumed in small quantities only.

Gout and elevated uric acid levels can be quite serious and should never be ignored or left untreated. In fact, it is best to get in touch with a doctor, for information on uric acid oxidization, medication for treating uric acid gout problems as well as recommendations for uric acid reduction.