Home remedies for uric acid

Have you been feeling intense pain and swelling in your joints? There’s a good chance that your uric acid levels are higher than usual. Medically, this condition is termed as ‘hyperuricemia’. This buildup can lead to painful inflammation, redness, and severe discomfort, especially around the joints. Did you know? When compared to women, men are more likely to experience high uric acid levels and gout (a type of arthritis that causes severe pain in the joints), particularly after the age of 30. This is because men typically have higher uric acid levels.
While your first instinct might be to reach for prescription medications, it’s important to know that home remedies for uric acid have been proven to help control the levels effectively.

What is uric acid?

This could sound almost surprising to you but yes uric acid is a natural waste product formed when the body breaks down purines. Purines are substances found in certain foods and drinks. Though your kidneys perform the function of filtering out this acid, sometimes when the body produces too much or has difficulty in passing it out, this is when it leads to high uric acid levels.

Symptoms of high uric acid

• Painful joints
• Inflammation
• Stiffness or difficulty in movement
• Kidney stones
• Fatigue or weakness
• Blood in urine
• Hard lumps under the skin, often around the joints

What are the causes of uric acid?

A combination of factors, including diet, lifestyle, genetics, and certain medical conditions can lead to high levels of uric acid. Understanding these causes can help you take steps to manage and prevent complications.

Diet high in purines: Foods that are rich in purines can shoot up uric acid levels. These foods include red meat, organ meats (like liver), shellfish, sardines, anchovies, and alcohol, especially beer.
Insufficient water intake: Dehydration can decrease the ability of your kidneys to eliminate uric acid, as a result leading to accumulation of higher levels in the bloodstream.
Obesity: The fat tissues in your body tend to produce more uric acid. Infact, obesity can impair kidney function, disrupting the body's ability to eliminate uric acid as efficiently as it should.
Existing medical conditions: Kidney disease, high blood pressure or insulin resistance can increase the uric acid production.
Genetics: in certain cases, a person might already have a tendency to produce more uric acid or have kidneys that are less effective at eliminating it.
Certain medications: Medicines such as diuretics (water pills), aspirin (in low doses), and immunosuppressants can cause a spike in the uric acid levels.

Home remedies for uric acid

With these natural remedies, you can rest assured that you’re experiencing no side effects, while also seeing improvement in your condition gradually. They offer a gentle yet effective way to manage uric acid levels without the worry of relying on any medication.
Ginger: The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger are quite well-known, they help reduce pain and swelling associated with high uric acid levels. Simply boil fresh ginger slices in water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Drink this ginger infused water once or twice a day.
Lemon water: The alkalizing effects of lemon help neutralize uric acid, promoting the body’s ability to flush it out through urine. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of warm water. Drink it every morning on an empty stomach.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV): ACV helps balance the body’s pH and may work towards dissolving uric acid crystals. Plus, it aids in kidney function, essential for eliminating excess uric acid. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of ACV in a glass of water and drink once or twice a day.
Cherries: High in anthocyanins - compounds known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties - cherries are among the most effective home remedies for uric acid management. Eat a fresh bowl of cherries or drink tart cherry juice everyday.
Pineapple: Bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties present in pineapple can help reduce the swelling and pain. Additionally, it also helps digest proteins and break down uric acid. Drink pineapple juice or eat fresh pineapple regularly.
Turmeric: Curcumin, the main bioactive compound found in turmeric, possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, helps reduce pain and swelling along with lowering uric acid levels as well. Try to add turmeric powder in your meals, or have turmeric tea by boiling a teaspoon of turmeric in water.
Water: As basic as it might sound, but yes water is literally the most important and effective way to help lower uric acid levels. As water helps flush excess uric acid out through the urine, it prevents crystals from forming in the joints. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
Epsom salt soak: Being rich in magnesium, it helps reduce swelling and joint pain. Along with this, it also has a detoxifying effect, helping to flush out excess uric acid from your body. Add 1 to 2 cups of epsom salt to lukewarm water and soak the affected joints for 20 to 30 minutes.
Bananas: A high source of potassium, bananas help reduce the buildup of uric acid crystals. Moreover, they also help alkalize the body, preventing the likelihood of gout attacks. Eat 1 to 2 bananas a day.

Lifestyle and diet recommendation for uric acid

Here are some essential lifestyle and diet recommendations to help control uric acid levels naturally:
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a major risk factor for high uric acid levels. Set a weight loss goal for yourself and work towards achieving it by following a nutritious diet and staying active.
Drink plenty of fluids: Sufficient amounts of water helps the kidneys process and eliminate uric acid. So, along with water, add other healthy fluids like coconut water, fresh juices etc. in your daily diet.
Avoid consuming alcohol: If you drink alcohol, limit your intake or best is to avoid it entirely for maintaining optimum uric acid levels.
Keep a tab on your blood pressure levels: Maintaining healthy blood pressure levels is crucial for preventing the accumulation of uric acid. Eat a low-sodium diet, manage your stress levels and engage in small physical activities - these are key factors in controlling blood pressure.
Wear comfortable footwears: Comfortable footwears can reduce the strain caused on your joints and ease the discomfort that results from uric acid buildup in the feet. Choose a footwear that is cushioned and provides support.
Include more omega-3 fatty acids: The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the pain and swelling caused by build-up of uric acid. Include sources like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.
Avoid fasting for too long: Skipping meals or fasting for longer durations can cause dehydration in the body and lead to higher uric acid levels. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
Low-fat dairy products: Food items such as milk, yogurt and cheese can help lower uric acid levels. In fact, some studies have linked dairy consumption to a reduced risk of gout attacks.

You must remember that managing healthy uric acid levels is essential for promoting your overall well-being. So, a more holistic approach - encompassing the right combination of home remedies to lifestyle adjustments - can offer a more sustainable approach