Uric acid known to be pro-inflammatory. It is a metabolite of dietary protein and nucleotides or nucleic acids mainly produced in the liver. It is a by-product of purine metabolism. When uric acid production is normal, it’s clearance by kidneys is normal but because of several metabolic conditions the clearance by kidney is reduced which result in increased level of uric acid which is called Hyperuricemia. This can be highly dangerous for the body if not managed.
Why there is an increase of uric acid in the body?
In most cases, the higher level of uric acid is due to the inability of kidneys to remove the uric acid from the body efficiently. The consumption of purine-rich food, high fructose, caffeine, alcohol, high level of meat consumption or seafood contributes to the increased percentage of uric acid in the body resulting in hyperuricemia. Such ingestion can slow down the capacity of kidneys to excrete of excess uric acid.
The following are the causes of hyperuricemia (High Uric Acid)
- Diuretics, the water pills for the treatment of high blood pressure.
- Drinking too much of alcohol.
- Genetics (inherited).
- Immune suppressing, R.A, diabetic and other medications.
- Obesity, excessive weight gain.
- Fatty liver.
- Diabetes/Insulin resistance.
- GUT dysbiosis.
- Low thyroid hormones/hypothyroidism.
- Purine rich diet.
- Vitamin C and D deficiency.
- Intake of B3(Niacin) to lower hypertension.
- Ageing.
- Kidney disease.
Possible symptoms of increased levels of uric acid in body:
- Severe pain in joints.
- Burning sensation under feet.
- Stiffness in joints.
- Redness and extreme swelling.
- Inability to move the joints.
- Toe with excessive pain.
- Increased urge to urinate.
- Pain and difficulty while urinating.
What are the benefits of balanced level of uric acid in body?
- It has powerful antioxidants useful in neutralising heavy amounts of free radicals in a body.
- A balanced level of uric acid plays neuro-protection role, preventing neuro-degeneration.
- Uric acid in adequate amount protects the body from infection and other injuries.
How to restore the balanced uric acid in the body, prevention from hyperuricemia?
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Intake of anti-inflammatory, seasonal, low carbohydrate and fibre rich diet to correct insulin resistance helps in reducing uric acid.
- Drinking lemon water: It balances out the excessive uric acid in the body.
- Limiting alcohol ingestion.
- Avoiding high purine diets.
- Avoiding excess intake of sugar or sugary beverages specially fructose.
- Acidic fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons, they help in balancing out the uric acid or supplementation of Vitamin C.
- Magnesium supplements such as magnesium citrate.
- Healthy fat including omega-3.
- Consumption of low-fat dairy products.
- A regular intake of apple cider vinegar in warm water 30 min before lunch and dinner.
- Weight reduction also plays a crucial role in the decrement of uric acid in the body.
Supplements or medication guidance:
Kindly check with your medical practitioners for dosage on supplementation if you are suffering from higher risks of hyperuricemia.
Here are some information for knowledge purpose
- Most benign drug such as “allopurinol” seems to work well in reduction of excess of uric acid without any side effects on liver.
- Supplementation with Vitamin C, CoQ10, Magnesium, Vitamin D3 might help.
- Good probiotics which contain multi strain of lactobacillus and bifidobacterial species will be beneficial.