Among the various critical ailments rising in India, kidney diseases account for an alarming share. Data reveals that almost 10% of the nation’s adult population suffers from some kind of kidney ailments. What’s worse, lakhs of people contract chronic kidney disease every year. Yet, we fail to understand that uric acid is the root cause of severe kidney ailments.
This article discusses how excessive uric acid becomes a silent killer of our health and how to control uric acid. Read on to understand the causes of uric acid along with more information on it.
What is Uric Acid and its Effects on Human Body?
Uric acid is the end byproduct of purine metabolism. The majority of uric acid gets dissolved in the blood and excreted from the kidneys as urine. However, a person may fall sick if the body generates uric acid in excess or does not excrete it in the desired amount. The condition of the high uric acid level in the body is known as Hyperuricaemia. Also, the timely treatment of uric acid can save you from falling prey to life-threatening health conditions.
What is the Normal Range of Uric Acid in Human Body?
The normal range for uric acid levels in the human body is:
- 2.4-6.0 mg/dL in females; and
- 3.4-7.0 mg/dL in males.
Normally, 90 to 95 % of uric acid is reabsorbed in the kidney, which acts as a natural immune system stimulant. The reabsorbed uric acid develops into Urate, which is a powerful antioxidant required to regulate blood pressure that prevents several diseases of the central nervous system.
However, if uric acid accumulates in the blood, it causes crystal formations in the joints, known as gout. Further, it leads to the formation of kidney stones, which is a very painful situation that severely affects the normal functioning of the kidneys.
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 to reduce immunity
- Excessive Niacin or vitamin B-3
Since now you have understood the reasons behind higher uric acid levels, let us learn how to prevent uric acid from developing in the body.
How to Reduce Uric Acid Naturally in the Body?
One should have routine check-ups on the uric acid levels in the body, which can be done with a simple blood test. Additionally, home remedies for uric acid include:
Generally, nutritionists usually advise drinking plenty of water so that the excess uric acid flushes out from the body and reduces the symptoms of uric acid.
Besides, one should consume a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
However, it is important to manage your diet wisely as some specific leafy greens and other foods may increase the uric acid level. That’s how you can get uric acid treatment at home by following a healthy regime.
Ideally, it is crucial to limit the purine-rich diet, as purine is the main catalyst behind the excessive build-up of 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 for health. Hence, such a patient should strictly avoid purine-rich foods. However, a normal person is not required to follow such a strict diet but should limit the consumption of purine in order to lower uric acid levels. Here are some purine-rich foods that should be consumed wisely:
- Red meats such as beef, pork and mutton should be avoided.
- 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, leafy greens should not be consumed more than 5 times in a week.
- Mushrooms and green peas, should not be consumed more than 5 times a week.
- Sugar and alcohol should be avoided to maintain a healthy uric acid level in the blood.
Foods that Help in Maintaining Healthy Uric Acid Levels
One should consume the following items in food 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, which is far below the acceptable limit of 100 mg.
- Consume a high-fibre diet. Those who are suffering from uric acid disorders are advised to consume a high amount of dietary fibre. This is because the fibrous content in high-fibre food, such as whole grains and cereals, absorbs the excess uric acid in the bloodstream and lowers the uric acid level.
Other Natural Ways to Control Uric Acid Levels
Here are some easiest ways how to reduce uric acid in the body:
- Reduce Weight: Obesity causes difficulty for kidneys to filter out uric acid. Hence, controlling weight gain helps in the optimal functioning of the kidneys. Besides, try to maintain a healthy BMI to keep health issues at bay.
- Reduce Stress: One of the key factors behind the increase in uric acid is the sedentary lifestyle that triggers mental and physical stress. Hence, it is necessary to adopt a healthy lifestyle, a wholesome diet, and regular exercise, not to ignore adequate sleep.
- Regulate Insulin Level: No doubt, sometimes too much insulin in the body results in an uncontrolled increase in uric acid. Hence, it is very important to go for a routine health check-up by a certified medical practitioner in order to keep track of insulin levels.
To Conclude
These are some of the effective healthy habits that will gradually help a person reduce uric acid in the blood. Even a minor illness can lead to severe health conditions; being prepared for the worst is the best solution. Here comes health insurance into the picture that not only covers the hospitalisation expenses but also protects your savings.
Health insurance policies at Care Health Insurance serve the needs of our customers with comprehensive coverage. Also, these policies come with an annual health check-up facility and other unique benefits that prove the policy is tailor-made for you.
>>Also Read: What is Chronic Kidney Disease
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