Diet and lifestyle myths about hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels) run deep. Most people don’t really know what to do when they’re first told they have high uric acid levels. And some tend to ignore it because the condition itself doesn’t cause any signs and symptoms.
But the thing is, high uric acid can do more damage than you might realize. In the long run, it can lead to joint problems, kidney stones, etc.
Thus, the key to living well with this condition is simple: keep your uric acid levels in check. While medications can help manage it. But there’s also a natural route that works for many, like adding specific drinks to your routine, such as Krishna’s Uric Balance Juice.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know and do when you’ve been diagnosed with high uric acid.
How High Uric Acid Levels Affect Your Body?
Uric acid is a waste product that is created when your body breaks down purines from foods and drinks you consume. Most of it gets dissolved in your blood and passes out of your body through your GI tract and kidneys. But if the levels become too high and your body does not get rid of enough uric acid, it starts building up in your blood.
Over time, when the levels go above 6.8 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), this chemical compound can leave your bloodstream and cause damage throughout your body, leading to joint pain, kidney stones, and other problems.
One of the most concerning things about high uric acid is that it doesn’t show up with clear symptoms, at least not in the beginning. You could be going about your life and feel like everything is going fine until the levels are high enough to cause major bodily issues.
When uric acid reaches your bones, it may cause:
- Sudden, intense joint pain
- Swelling and stiffness in joints
- Discoloration and redness in the area
If uric acid crystals start forming in your kidneys, you may experience
- Sharp pain in your lower back or side
- Nausea or vomiting from the intensity of the pain
- Painful while urinating
- Blood in your urine or pee that looks cloudy or smells funky
- In severe cases, you might feel chills or even run a fever
- Trouble urinating or feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder
That’s why it’s so important to get your uric acid levels checked regularly, especially if you have a family history and or eat a high-purine diet.
Ways to Keep Your Uric Acid Levels in Check
Managing your uric acid isn’t complicated, but it does require a little bit of consistency and smart choices. There are some aspects of your daily routine that you might need to change to keep those levels in check and avoid the long-term health risks.
1. Drink Plenty of Water
Your kidneys filter out around 70 percent of the uric acid that is produced in your body. And drinking more water will help your kidneys do their job better.
So, one thing is for sure that you should drink more water during the day. By this, we don’t mean you should drink a big jug of water in one sitting. Instead, drink in smaller amounts throughout the day so there is a balance of fluids. You can achieve this by
- Drinking a glass of water half an hour before every meal.
- Drinking before and after exercising.
- Including water-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumber, watermelon, and oranges in your diet
There’s no specific time of day to drink your water. What matters more is spreading your intake throughout the day and making sure you’re consistent.
2. Be Mindful of What You Eat (And Drink!)
It’s not just what you eat that matters, but what you drink is also important when it comes to managing uric acid levels.
Sugary drinks like soft drinks, canned juices, energy drinks, and even fancy cocktails are often packed with fructose, a type of sugar that spikes uric acid production in your body. Your liver breaks down fructose and creates uric acid as a byproduct, so the more sugar you drink, the more your levels can climb.
Instead of sugary drinks, consume coconut water, diet colas, etc, …but only occasionally.
When it comes to food, watch out for purine-rich items. These include red meat, organ meats (like liver), and certain seafood, like fish, shellfish, etc. These foods, when digested, produce high uric acid, which can quickly add up if eaten often.
So, what to eat?
Go for low-purine, anti-inflammatory foods like fresh fruits (especially cherries and citrus), vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Reduce or completely avoid your intake of processed foods, fried snacks, and sugar-laden treats.
3. Watch Your Weight
Let’s not beat around the bush; carrying extra weight may contribute to high uric acid levels. And no, this isn’t about chasing some ideal body type or going on crash diets. It’s about how fat, especially around your belly, makes your body produce more uric acid and makes it harder for your kidneys to flush it out.
Losing even 2–3 kilos can make a difference in how your body handles uric acid.
When people hear they need to lose weight, they either panic or go extreme. But fasting, skipping meals, or doing an aggressive diet can actually raise your uric acid levels. So that backfires.
The key is to make small changes that are realistic and can be followed consistently
- Eat home-cooked food more often. Walk a bit more
- Cut down on portions slowly, not overnight
- Consult your doctor before starting a weight management plan
4. Get Moving
Sitting all day and barely moving not only makes your back suffer, but your uric acid does too. When you are inactive, your metabolism slows down, which leads to weight gain and makes your kidneys work less efficiently.
So, start being active if you haven’t. You don’t need to join a gym or do intense workouts. Take a brisk walk for 20–30 minutes. Do some basic stretching in the morning. Climb the stairs instead of taking the lift. Dance, swim, whatever you like.
The goal is to get your blood flowing, improve circulation, and help your body flush out uric acid naturally.
5. Avoid Alcohol
According to research, drinking alcohol dehydrates your body and triggers high uric acid levels. Also, certain types of alcohol, like beer, have high purine content. And even the ones lower in purines can still trigger your body to produce more.
Alcohol increases uric acid levels in two ways. First, it increases the metabolism of nucleotides, another source of purines, which your body then turns into uric acid. It also slows down how fast your body gets rid of uric acid. So not only is your body making more, it’s also struggling to get rid of the excess. That combo increases your risk of gout attacks, joint pain, and flare-ups.
While changes in diet, daily routine, and herbal supplements like Krishna’s Uric Balance Juice can help keep your levels in check, it’s important to monitor the levels regularly with blood tests. And if you get gout symptoms or kidney stone pain, see your doctor right away for proper treatment.