Ways to Reduce Uric Acid

Gout, a form of arthritis, is increasingly becoming more common in today’s generation. What used to be a disease associated with the wealthy, is now affecting millions regardless of economic status. The underlying cause of gout is high uric acid in the bloodstream.

Uric acid occurs naturally in the body as a by-product of the breakdown of the protein purine. Purines are released during natural cellular metabolism and through the intake of purine-rich foods. Majority of the uric acid in the body is usually removed by the kidneys via the urine; some are removed by the intestines via the stool.

This is not however the case for people with gout where two things happen that causes high uric acid levels in the bloodstream. First, the kidneys are not working effectively to remove uric acid from the blood and there is too much uric acid produced for healthy kidneys to process. Whatever is the case, the result is excess uric acid that can cause gout attacks if crystals form in the joints. For a gout treatment to be effective, it has to effectively reduce uric acid. Take a look at these proven, effective ways to reduce uric acid.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Diet has such a profound effect on gout. In addition to reducing the introduction of purines to the body by way of avoiding purine-rich foods, proper diet will also promote overall health. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension are three of the most commonly associated diseases with gout.

The goal should be to maintain healthy weight (but not very rapidly, crash diets are known to trigger gout attacks) while avoiding purine-rich foods such as red meat, sea foods and beer. Food is also a very common trigger for gout attacks. Gout sufferers are also advised to drink plenty of fluids. The recommended intake is 2 to 3 liters per day with more than 50% of that water. Being a disease linked to kidney function, fluids help purge the kidneys of uric acid and help the urine become less acidic thereby lowering the risk of uric acid kidney stone formation.

Natural Ways to Reduce Uric Acid

There are of course proven food-based, natural supplements that can effectively reduce uric acid. Among the commonly cited, popular food remedy are cherries and its extracts. Cherries contain anthocyanins, flavonoids known for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Cherries can be taken as raw fruits, juice or as food supplement tablets or capsules.

Another natural uric acid lowering drug is Vitamin C. In addition to getting it from foods rich in Vitamin C, studies prove that taking it as food supplement significantly lowers uric acid. There are many cited, widely-used natural gout remedies. When planning to complement a gout treatment with food supplements, be sure to discuss it first with a doctor.

Ways to Reduce Uric Acid – Medication

There are two types of medication to lower uric acid. The first kind of drugs is called uric acid inhibitors that prevent the formation of excess uric acid. The second one is called uricosuric drugs which lower uric acid by increasing its removal by the kidneys. Common uric acid inhibitors are Allopurinol and Febuxostat while common uricosuric drugs are Probenecid and Benzbromarone. These gout medications cannot be obtained without prescription and for very good reasons. They can have adverse side-effects and contra-indications that it is dangerous taking them without proper guidance.

A really effective way to lower uric acid will involve a combination of the above mentioned options. As with any treatment plan, the most important factor is the commitment of the one undergoing the treatment.