Do you have hyperuricemia, a condition where there is high uric acid in the body? What causes this to occur and what can be its negative health effects? More importantly, is there a diet for high uric acid? The answers and more in this article.
Hyperuricemia And Its Effects On The Body
Uric acid is a waste product our body produces when we break down purines, which can come from various food sources, like seafood, organ meat, red meat, and foods and drinks with high fructose corn syrup.
The thing is, most uric acid dissolves in the blood and then gets filtered through the kidneys and excreted in urine.
If too much uric acid stays in the body, it results in hyperuricemia, which can lead to several health problems including:
- Gout. Too much uric acid can form crystals that might settle in the joints, causing painful gouty arthritis.
- Kidney stones. The crystals can also settle in the kidneys and form renal stones.
If left untreated, gout can cause permanent damage to the joints and bones, whereas kidney stones can lead to kidney disease that might affect even the heart.
Diet For High Uric Acid
The treatment for high uric acid depends on its effect on the body. If you develop gouty arthritis, the doctor may prescribe medicine for swelling and pain. If you have kidney stones, they might not give you anything since small stones usually pass out of the body in urine. However, for bigger stones that already result in signs and symptoms, they might consider surgery.
In any case, a diet for high uric acid will be helpful. Here are some guidelines about it:
1. Limit foods high in purine
One of the most important guidelines for a diet for high uric acid is to limit your intake of foods high in purine. These foods include:
- Organ meat, like liver
- Some seafood, like tuna, anchovies, herring, shellfish, shrimp, and sardines
- Red meat
- Food high in fat, like bacon
- Dairy products
- Alcoholic beverages
- Sugary foods and drinks
Important
If you notice, some of the foods high in purines are considered healthy choices. Case in point: Liver is a good source of iron and seafood is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. Hence, there’s no need to avoid them completely. Talk to your doctor about the servings you are allowed to eat.
2. Focus on foods low on purine
The diet for high uric acid urges you to focus on foods with low purine. Doing so can improve your uric acid levels steadily.
These foods include:
- Fat-free products, or low-fat if fat-free is not an option
- Most nuts, including peanut butter
- Most fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
3. Plan your meals to manage your weight
The guidelines for the diet for high uric acid may specify some of the foods you can focus on and those you need to limit. However, please note that managing your weight through diet (and exercise) should be a priority.
You see, increased weight also increases the risk of gout. If you have gout, then being overweight and obese can increase the frequency you experience flares.
4. Consider drinking coffee daily
It may seem like coffee is a bad choice for people with hyperuricemia. After all, it’s acidic. But, reports say drinking coffee daily can reduce your uric acid levels as it speeds up the rate of its excretion.
If you plan on drinking coffee on a daily basis, please ask your doctor first.
Key Takeaways
Hyperuricemia can result in several health problems including gouty arthritis and kidney stones. The good news is, a diet for high uric acid can help manage it. Guidelines include focusing on low-purine foods, limiting the intake of foods high in purine, managing your weight, and possibly, if you’re allowed by your doctor, drinking coffee daily.
Learn more about Healthy Eating here.
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