Natural Remedies to Reduce Uric Acid Levels for a Healthy Lifestyle

In today's time, the sedentary routine and unhealthy diet have led to several lifestyle diseases. Amongst these, kidney diseases account for an alarming share. Data reveals that almost 10% of the nation's adult population suffers from kidney ailments. Worse, lakhs of people contract chronic kidney disease every year. Yet, we fail to understand that the root cause of severe kidney ailments is excessive uric acid build-up.

In light of the above problem, we will discuss how excessive uric acid becomes a silent killer of our health and how we can prevent it.  

What is Uric Acid, and How Does it Affect the Human Body?

Uric acid is the end byproduct of purine metabolism. Most uric acid gets dissolved in the blood and is excreted through the kidneys via urine. However, a person may fall sick if the body generates uric acid in excess or does not excrete it in the desired quantity. The condition of the high uric acid level in our body is known as Hyperuricaemia. 

What is the Normal Uric Acid Level in Human Body?

The normal range for uric acid levels in human body is: 

• 2.4-6.0 mg/dL in females; and 
• 3.4-7.0 mg/dL in males. 

A healthy kidney can reabsorb almost 90 to 95 % of the uric acid that acts as a natural stimulant of our immune system. The reabsorbed uric acid develops into Urate, a powerful antioxidant required to regulate blood pressure. Additionally, Urate prevents several diseases of the central nervous system.   

However, if uric acid accumulates in the blood, it causes crystal-like formations in the joints known as gout. Further, it leads to the formation of kidney stones—a painful condition that requires patients to undergo critical surgeries.

What Causes High Uric Acid Levels in the Body? 

The uric acid accumulates when the kidneys cannot excrete the excess uric acid. This raises the level of uric acid in the blood. Here are the main factors leading to an excess uric acid build-up in the body:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Obesity
• Eating purine-rich foods such as meats, dried beans, alcoholic beverages, seafood and shellfish
• Psoriasis
• Medicines intended towards reducing immunity
• Excessive Niacin or vitamin B-3

How to Prevent Excess Uric Acid Levels Naturally?

The foremost step is to undergo routine health check-ups to keep track of your uric acid levels. Common blood tests will help you identify anomalies if any. At Care Health Insurance, we ensure that you can take preventive steps with free annual health check-ups that come with most of our health insurance plans. Additionally, you should follow these healthy lifestyle habits:

• Drink plenty of water so that the excess uric acid flushes out from the body. 
• Consume a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. 
• Limit the purine rich diet, as purine is the main catalyst behind excessive build-up of the uric acid in the blood.

Say ‘No’ to these Foods to Reduce Uric Acid Levels

For a patient suffering from Hyperuricaemia, a purine-rich diet is a bane to their health. Hence, an ideal diet should strictly avoid purine-rich foods. Here are some purine-rich foods that everyone should consume moderately: 

• Red meats such as beef, pork, and mutton  
• Organ meats like sweetbreads, liver, offals, and tongue might raise uric acid levels 
• Limit the consumption of Turkey.
• Seafood, especially fish and shellfish, even scallops, have a significant amount of purine. 
• Green leafy veggies like Cauliflower, Red Cabbage, Beans, Asparagus, and Spinach; ideally, you should avoid eating leafy greens more than five times a week.
• Consume Mushrooms and green peas at most five times a week.
• Avoid sugar and alcohol to maintain a healthy uric acid level in the blood.

Foods that Help in Maintaining Healthy Uric Acid Levels

One should consume the following foods to reduce uric acid in the blood:

• Dry fruits and Nuts
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Vegetables like Beetroots, Lettuce, Cucumber, Potatoes, and Summer Squash produce less than 50 mg of uric acid in every 100 grams of food, far below the acceptable limit of 100 mg. 
• Consume a high-fiber diet. Those suffering from uric acid disorders should consume high amounts of dietary fiber. The fibrous content in high-fiber food, such as whole grains and cereals, absorbs the excess of uric acid in the bloodstream, bringing the levels down to ideal ranges. 

What are the Other Natural Ways to Control Uric Acid Level?

Here are some most effortless ways to maintain a healthy uric acid level naturally:

• Reduce Weight: Obesity makes it difficult for the kidneys to filter out uric acid. Hence, controlling weight helps in the optimal functioning of the kidneys. Besides, try to maintain a healthy BMI to avoid health issues. 
• Reduce Stress: One of the crucial reasons behind increased uric acid levels is a sedentary lifestyle. Minimal physical activities and long hours of sitting job together cause a lot of stress. Hence, it is necessary to adopt a healthy lifestyle, a wholesome diet, and regular exercise, not to ignore- adequate sleep. 
• Regulate Insulin Level: Sometimes, too much insulin in the body results in an uncontrolled increase in uric acid. Hence, it is essential to go for a routine health check-up and consult a certified medical practitioner to keep track of insulin levels.

To Conclude!

Uric acid levels can critically affect the body's functioning. To help you maintain healthy bodily functions, Care Health Insurance promises comprehensive health insurance plans for families, individuals, senior citizens, and people with pre-existing diseases. Our policies offer unique well-being benefits like annual health check-ups, doctor-on-call, e-consultations, and more. So choose the right health plan to protect yourself and your loved ones from unexpected health emergencies today and tomorrow.