Uric acid: Suffering from high uric acid? Diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle changes can help improve gout and other illnesses caused by high uric acid levels. Uric acid is a natural waste product from the digestion of foods that contain purines.
Normally, body filters out uric acid through the kidneys and in urine. If you consume too much purine in your diet, or if your body can’t get rid of this by-product fast enough, uric acid can build up in your blood and lead to gout.
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Gout is a painful form of arthritis that happens when too much uric acid builds up and forms crystals in your joints.
Symptoms of gout
Severe pain in joints
Joint stiffness
Difficulty moving affected joints
Redness and swelling
Misshapen joints
Foods to avoid
You must reduce the amount of purines you eat. No specific eating plan will completely prevent flare-ups, but a good gout diet will help you. Skip foods and drinks that are high in purines to help lower the level. Stay away from:
• Beer and grain liquors (like vodka and whiskey)
• Red meat, lamb, and pork
• Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, and glandular meats known as sweetbreads
• Seafood, especially shellfish like shrimp, lobster, mussels, anchovies, and sardines
• High-fructose products like soda and some juices, cereal, ice cream, candy, and fast food
Best foods to have
Go for low-purine options like:
• Low-fat and non-dairy fat products, such as yogurt and skim milk
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Nuts, peanut butter, and grains
• Fat and oil
• Potatoes, rice, bread, and pasta
• Eggs (in moderation)
• Meats like fish, chicken, and red meat are fine in moderation (around 4 to 6 ounces per day).
• Vegetables: You may see veggies like spinach and asparagus on the high-purine list, but studies show they don’t raise your risk of gout or gout attacks.
What to drink
Foods aren’t the only thing that can affect uric acid. What you drink matters, too. Take lots of fluids — 8 to 16 cups a day. At least half of what you drink should be water. Vitamin C (orange juice) if taken in moderation can help lower the level. Don’t overdo it. Caffeinated coffee in moderation can also help.
Most important: Take all prescribed medications as directed by your doctor. The right combination of diet, exercise, and medications can help lower high uric acid levels and keep symptoms at bay.
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