High uric acid is a condition in which the body cannot eliminate uric acid through excretion in time. This causes uric acid to accumulate in the bloodstream and may precipitate into crystals and stick to various organs in both the urinary system and joints. Studying what to eat with high uric acid and what foods to avoid is important in helping patients control their uric acid levels to be within the appropriate range and reduce the risk of complications from having too much uric acid for a long time, such as gout and kidney stones.
What is uric acid?
Uric acid is a substance derived from the breakdown of purine in the digestive system. Generally, uric acid accumulated in the blood comes from the body’s production process, approximately 80 percent, and from food eaten, approximately 20 percent. Normally, the body excretes uric acid through urine and feces. However, if the body cannot eliminate uric acid in time, it may cause abnormally high levels of uric acid to accumulate in the blood. In general, the uric acid level in the blood of adult males is approximately 3.5-7.2 milligrams/deciliter, โปรโมชั่น ufabet while in adult females it is approximately 2.6-6.0 milligrams/deciliter.
How does high uric acid affect your health?
Hyperuricemia is a condition that occurs when the body has too much uric acid in the bloodstream. It can be caused by many things, such as genetic factors that cause the body to produce too much purine, side effects of certain medications, and regular consumption of foods high in purine. In addition, high uric acid can occur together with certain health conditions, such as obesity, chronic kidney disease, and high blood pressure.
In general, most people with high uric acid levels do not have symptoms and do not require long-term treatment. However, if uric acid levels are higher than 7 mg/dL for a long time, there is a risk of complications such as:
- Gout is a common form of arthritis. It is caused by the body having too much uric acid for a long time, causing uric acid to crystallize and accumulate in joints and surrounding tissues, causing acute, severe pain and swelling, especially in the big toe.
- Kidney stones are a disease caused by the body having hard minerals such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid accumulating in large quantities that cannot be dissolved or reduced in concentration. As a result, these substances accumulate in the urine until they form stones in various organs in the urinary system, including the renal pelvis, renal tubules, and kidneys, causing the kidneys to function abnormally and possibly leading to kidney disease.
High uric acid, what should I eat?
Foods that are suitable for people with high uric acid may include the following:
- Fresh vegetables and fruits such as Chinese cabbage, kale, cassia leaves, corn, sweet potatoes, guavas, cherries, oranges
- Grains such as rice, pasta, cereal breads (except oatmeal)
- Low-fat foods such as low-fat yogurt and skim milk
- Chicken eggs, duck eggs
People with high uric acid levels should drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Drinking enough water helps the kidneys work and allows the body to excrete more uric acid. In addition, drinking other fluids such as vitamin C water and coffee can also help reduce uric acid levels. However, coffee should be drunk in the right amount so that the body does not receive too much caffeine.
Foods to avoid when you have high uric acid
Foods to avoid when you have high uric acid may include:
- Red meat, such as pork and beef
- Animal organs and organs, such as pork liver and pork brains
- Poultry meat such as chicken, duck, goose
- Cow’s milk and dairy products
- Some vegetables, such as leucaena, bamboo shoots, cauliflower, asparagus
- Alcoholic beverages such as liquor, beer, wine, vodka
- Seafood such as shrimp, tuna, sardines, anchovies, mussels, oysters
- Yeast and yeast extract
- Foods high in fructose, such as soft drinks, soda, sugary fruit juices, ice cream, desserts, and fast food.