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Hyperuricemia is a condition where you have a higher level of uric acid in the blood than normal. This higher level of uric acid can result in health complications such asgout andkidney stones.
Your body makes uric acid as a byproduct of the metabolism of certain foods, such as red meat and seafood. These foods contain a compound calledpurine, which is whatcauses uric acid production in the body.
A normal functioning body excretes the excess of uric acid through urine.
The production of uric acid is a normal body process and is not a problem. The problem arises when your body fails to excrete this excess of uric acid through urine. Primarily, the treatment for hyperuricemia involves dietary changes and lifestyle modifications.
Reports show that about 38 million Americans have hyperuricemia, and the rate is increasing worldwide.
Typically a person with high uric acid levels doesn’t experience any symptoms unless there is any complication related to it. The common complications of hyperuricemia are gout and kidney stones.
When the blood uric acid levels are high, urate crystals that develop from uric acid can accumulate in the joints. This causes inflammation of the affected joints, and you experience pain and swelling.
Some common symptoms of hyperuricemia when you developgout are:
When the blood uric acid levels are high, theuric acid crystals start to deposit in the kidneys. With time, the tiny crystal transforms into a larger kidney stone which can interrupt the kidney function.
Here is a list of symptoms that you can experience when hyperuricemia leads tokidney stones:
The common causes of hyperuricemia or high uric acid levels in the body are:
Since your body convertspurine into uric acid, consuming foods rich in purines, like red meat, seafood, and organ meats, can increase uric acid levels. When the body metabolizes too many purines, it leads to a buildup of uric acid, and a person develops hyperuricemia.
While eating a purine-rich diet is a common cause of increased uric acid production, there are multiple other causes.Hypertension, metabolic conditions, or evenobesity can cause high blood uric acid levels.Rapid weight loss can also increase uric acid production, leading to hyperuricemia.
The kidneys filter uric acid from the blood. When there is any problem with the kidneys, they fail to filter the excess uric acid from the blood. As a result, uric acid builds up in the blood, and a person develops hyperuricemia. Chronic kidney disease or other conditions that reduce kidney efficiency can lead to hyperuricemia.
Reports show that most people with high uric acid levels are asymptomatic. People who don’t experience symptoms of hyperuricemia usually don’t need any treatment except dietary and lifestyle-changing recommendations.
However, in the case of severe hyperuricemia, when it starts to cause complications, doctors recommend certain medications to improve the condition.
When you developgout from high uric acid levels, your doctor will prescribe you NSAIDs with a combination of someother prescription drugs. NSAIDs help when you are experiencing flare-ups, while prescription drugs are responsible for reducing uric acid levels in the blood.
Colchicine is a common medication for treating gout caused by high uric acid levels. It reduces uric acid build-up in the blood and also stops swelling and pain ingout. Another commonly prescribed medication for gout isprobenecid. This medicine increases the excretion of uric acid through urine, reducing blood uric acid levels.
On the other hand, if you have akidney stone from high uric acid levels, the doctor may also prescribe certain medications for small stones. Areport shows that medications like alpha-blockers can relax the muscles in the urinary tract, allowing stones to pass easily.
For larger stones, shockwave lithotripsy and surgery are practical options.
Most people with hyperuricemia don’t require medications to improve this condition, as dietary and lifestyle changes are enough for them. When you have hyperuricemia, your first focus should be on eliminating or reducing foods high in purine from your diet.
Instead, add those foods in your diet which don't produce uric acid as a by-product.
Lifestyle modifications for hyperuricemia include maintaining a healthy weight and staying properly hydrated.Studies show that being overweight significantly increases the risk of hyperuricemia and gout.
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Since uric acid is produced by the metabolism of certain foods, it is essential to carefully plan your diet with hyperuricemia. Here are some foods that you must avoid with hyperuricemia:
One of the richest sources of purine in any individual's diet is red meat, including beef, lamb, and pork. Since purine breaks down into uric acid in the body, consuming red meat can worsen the symptoms of hyperuricemia.
A2018 study shows that a diet high in red meat can increase the risk of hyperuricemia complications, includinggout andkidney stones. When you are tested positive for hyperuricemia, you must limit red meat intake to reduce the risk of gout or kidney stones.
Reports show that the liver, kidneys, and other organ meats are very rich in purines. Regularly consuming these meats can significantly increase blood uric acid levels.
People who often experience high blood uric acid levels must avoid or limit the intake of this type of meat.
Certain types of seafood, such as anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and shellfish, are also high in purines. Increased consumption of such seafood can lead to hyperuricemia complications.
Fatty fish are generally healthy and have plenty ofhealth benefits, but people with high uric acid should limit these specific types of seafood.
Reports show that alcohol, particularly beer, is a big trigger for high uric acid levels.Beer contains both alcohol and purines, which can increase uric acid production and reduce the ability of your body to eliminate it.
If you have hyperuricemia, limiting the intake of alcohol and its related products can improve uric acid levels.
Studies show that fructose - a type of sugar in beverages, promotes the production of uric acid. Consuming such factors containing drinks can trigger flare-ups and worsen conditions like gout and kidney stones.
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People with hyperuricemia should consider adding the following foods to their diet for better management of this condition:
Vegetables are low in purines and high in fiber, making them a great food option for people with hyperuricemia. A2022 study in the Journal Nature shows that eating a fiber-rich diet reduces the risk of hyperuricemia.
See Also: 21 Easy Ways to Get More Fiber in Your Diet!
Vegetables also containantioxidant properties, which can improve the symptoms of gout. Here are some fiber-rich vegetables that can benefit you in hyperuricemia:
Studies show that Low-fat dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese can help lower uric acid levels. Since people with hyperuricemia can't eat other protein sources, such as red meat, dairy products can be a great alternative.
Low-fat Greek yogurt, low-fat cheese, and skim milk are some common dairy products that you can eat with hyperuricemia.
Cherries are packed withantioxidant properties, which benefit hyperuricemia.Studies show that cherries can reduce inflammation ingout and can reduce uric acid levels in the blood.
A2022 study shows that a whole grain diet reduces the uric acid levels in the body. Whole grains are fiber-rich food options, and fiber is beneficial for preventing hyperuricemia.
Whole grains also haveantioxidant properties that may help lower inflammation in gout.
See Also: 6 Surprising Benefits of Plant-Based Diet High In Fiber!
Citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits, are rich in vitamin C.Reports show that vitamin C can reduce uric acid levels and help with hyperuricemia.
Another benefit of citrus fruits is that they are rich in water, which promotes the excretion of uric acid through urine.
Related Link: Dietitian-Backed Vegetarian and Vegan Meal Plan!
Here are precautions for managing high uric acid levels besides making dietary changes:
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Eggs are low in purine and don’t increase uric acid levels. Instead, you can consume eggs, which are a great protein source in hyperuricemia.
The most common target organ of hyperuricemia is the kidney, as high blood uric acid levels can lead to kidney stones.
Kidney stones itself can then lead to several kidney problems.
Hyperuricemia is abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood, which can cause complications likegout andkidney stones. The common causes of hyperuricemia are increased intake of purine-containing foods and the inability of kidneys to excrete uric acid through urine.
The treatment options for hyperuricemia commonly include medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications. The diet should focus on getting foods that are low in purine and support kidney function.
If your symptoms don’t improve through dietary modifications, we recommend you consult your doctor for a personalized advice and treatment plan.
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