What is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a chemical that is produced when the body breaks down the substances called purines. Purines are produced normally in the body and are also found in some foods and drinks like liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas, and beer.
Mostly, uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys. From there, it filtered out into the urine or passes through your intestines to regulate “normal” levels.
If the body produces too much uric acid or does not remove enough of it, you can get sick. Excessive production of uric acid in the blood is known as hyperuricemia.
Normal Uric acid levels in females are 2.4-6.0 mg/dL and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL in males.
Uric acid formation may occur when the blood uric acid level rises above the level of 7 mg/dL. It causes ailments such as kidney stones, and gout (collection of uric acid crystals in the joints, especially in your toes and fingers), may occur.
What are the causes of high Uric Acid?
Most of the time, a high uric acid level occurs when the kidneys don’t eliminate an efficient level of uric acid.
Causes of high uric acid levels (hyperuricemia) can be divided into primary (increased uric acid levels due to purine), and secondary (high levels of uric acid due to another disease). Sometimes, there is a high production of uric acid than it can excrete.
Most of the factors that may cause a high uric acid level in the blood include:
- Diuretics (water retention relievers)
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Genetics (inherited tendencies)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Immune-suppressing drugs
- Niacin, or vitamin B-3
- Obesity
- Psoriasis
High uric acid levels during radiation and chemotherapy kill a lot of cells in the body, which may raise the level of uric acid in the blood. The test is done to check that the level doesn’t get too high.
Primary Hyperuricemia
- Increased production of uric acid from purine
- Your kidneys cannot get rid of the uric acid in the blood, results in high levels of uric acid
Secondary Hyperuricemia
- Kidney disease – This may cause not been unable to clear the uric acid out of the system, thus causing hyperuricemia.
- Medications can cause in an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood
- Endocrine or metabolic conditions -certain forms of diabetes, or acidosis can cause hyperuricemia.
What are the symptoms of Hyperuricemia?
You may not have any symptoms but if there is an elevation of blood uric acid in the blood and a person is undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia or lymphoma, then the symptoms related to kidney problems, or gouty arthritis from high uric acid levels in your blood will be there.
- Other symptoms may be fever, chills, fatigue if the uric acid levels are elevated (caused by tumor lysis syndrome)
- Intense joint pain which becomes more severe in the first 12 to 24 hours
- This pain that lasts from a few days to a few weeks and spreads to more joints with time
- There will be redness, tenderness, and swelling of the joints
Herbal Remedies for reducing Uric Acid:
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre is recommending the best home remedies to treat gout naturally with these simple home remedies that are easy to use and free from side effects. These home remedies can reduce the pain and ease other symptoms. It includes:
1. Ginger Root:
Ginger root has an anti-inflammatory property and is used as one of the main herb that reduces uric acid levels.
How to use – One way to take ginger root is to just use ginger it into your daily meals when cooking.
You can add half teaspoon of ginger root in a cup of boiling water and drink this mixture once it has been cooled.
Another way is to make a paste of ginger root mixed with normal water and apply it to the affected area. Leave it on for about 30 minutes.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is the most effective home remedies for relieving pain and swelling. The acidity in the vinegar helps to decrease the uric acid levels in the body.
How to use – Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and mix it properly. Drink it two to three times daily.
3. Lemon Juice:
Lemon is used to relieve joint pain and swelling by reducing the amount of uric acid in the bloodstream. Lemon juice alkalizes the body and reduces the acid amount.
How to use – Squeeze one lemon and mix this lemon juice with half a teaspoon of baking soda. Once the fizzing has stopped, add it in one glass of water and drink it immediately.
Another option is to add lemon juice in one glass of water and drink around three glasses daily for about one month.
4. Olive Oil:
Olive oil contains healthy fats that show an anti-inflammatory effect on the swollen joints in gout and various types of arthritis. Olive oil contains polyphenols that are responsible for this beneficial action. It is also helpful in eliminating the toxins from the body due to its antioxidant activity.
How to use – Include olive oil in your regular diet and it is mainly recommended for gout patients. Start using this oil in all your salads and other dishes for its benefits.
5. Fenugreek Seeds:
The seeds are proven useful and are an effective remedy to ease the symptoms related to high uric acid. Consumption of seeds is very helpful in reducing internal as well as external inflammation of the body.
How to use – Soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seed in half cup of water. Keep it untouched overnight and drink that water in the morning and chew those soaked seeds. This helps in reducing the swelling of the joints and can relieve pain.
6. Garlic:
Garlic is considered as a wonderful herb that removes the excess amount of uric acid from the body and relieves the symptoms related to high uric acid in the blood.
How to use – Chew one pod of garlic or chop the garlic and then consume it. For best results, eat this remedy for about 15-20 days regularly.
7. Celery Seeds:
Celery is highly recommended in high uric acid to treat naturally and is proven to be the best home remedy. These seeds are rich in Omega-6 fatty acids and contain diuretic oils. Being a diuretic, it helps in cleaning the system of excess liquids by flushing out the uric acid from the kidneys. It alkalizes the blood and reduces the inflammation in the body.
How to use – Take half a teaspoon of dried celery seeds once a day and drink plenty of water with it.