Uric acid refers to the chemical created when the body breaks down purines, which is a compound found in various foods. Too much purine can lead to high uric acid, also known as hyperuricemia. This causes damage to various parts and organs of the body.
This article examines the causes and symptoms of high uric acid. Here you will also learn which foods you should avoid or eat if you have gout.
A high level of uric acid is the result of the body producing too much uric acid, not eliminating enough uric acid, or a combination of both.
Causes of high uric acid levels in the blood include:
– Diuretics (medicines for fluid retention)
– Excessive alcohol consumption
– Excessive consumption of soft drinks or eating too much food that contains fructose, a type of sugar
– Genetic factors, also known as hereditary traits
– High blood pressure
– Immunosuppressive medications
– Kidney problems
– Leukemia
– Metabolic syndrome
– Niacin, also called vitamin B-3
– Obesity
– Polycythemia vera (a type of blood disorder)
– Psoriasis
– A diet high in purines, such as liver, game meats, anchovies, and sardines
– Tumor lysis syndrome — a rapid release of cells into the blood caused by certain types of cancer or by chemotherapy used to treat these cancers.
– People who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer.
Symptoms associated with high uric acid levels that cause gout include:
– Joint pain or swelling
– Discoloration or sheen on the skin around the joints
– Joints that are warm to the touch
Symptoms of kidney stones that are caused by uric acid include:
– Pain on both sides of the back Frequent urination
– Urine that appears cloudy, has blood in it, or has an unusual odor
– Nausea or vomiting Cases of low uric acid are less common than those of high uric acid.
Symptoms of low uric acid include frequent urination, which leads to dehydration.
What is gout? Gout is an inflammatory disease that mainly affects the joints and occurs when the level of uric acid in the blood is higher than normal. It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood, which occurs due to excessive production or deficient elimination of uric acid.
Gout is characterized by pain, heat, redness and swelling in the joints, mainly in the lower limbs, and can affect adult men and women after menopause. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling and redness, and the disease can be triggered by factors such as alcohol intake, a diet rich in purines and physical trauma.
If you have gout, it is important to pay attention to your diet to control the levels of uric acid in your blood. To prevent gout attacks and complications, here are some foods to avoid and others that you can safely eat:
Foods and drinks that trigger gout symptoms and attacks
Foods and drinks that trigger gout symptoms and attacks cause significant harm to your health and should be avoided. Some of these foods and drinks include: Red meat and offal:
– Eating more red meat (such as beef) and organ meats (such as liver, kidneys, and tongue) may increase your risk of gout attacks.
– Cold-water fish and seafood: Certain types of fish contain more purines, and should be limited in a gout diet. Among them are tuna, trout, sardines, anchovies and herring. Seafood such as shrimp, oysters, crab, and lobster are also high in purines.
– Yeast extract: Some bread spreads, such as Marmite and Vegemite, contain yeast extract, which is high in purines.
Beer and hard liquor: Alcoholic beverages are generally not recommended for people with gout. Beer and hard liquor decrease uric acid excretion. However, studies suggest that moderate wine consumption is not associated with an increased risk of gout.
Sugary foods and beverages: Foods and beverages with fructose, especially those with high-fructose corn syrup, should be avoided on a gout diet. Limiting or avoiding soda, processed fruit juices, and other high-sugar products, such as granola bars, bagels, and some breakfast cereals, can help keep uric acid levels lower.
White bread and honey: Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and white rice, are absorbed quickly, increasing blood sugar and, consequently, uric acid levels. Although honey is a natural sweetener, it is also high in fructose, which releases purines when metabolized by the body.
A gout diet is part of a comprehensive program to treat the condition, which includes weight control, exercise, and possibly medication to reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks.
Following a diet plan that includes foods that help reduce gout symptoms and avoiding foods high in purines can help control the condition. Recommended foods:
– Vegetables: Some vegetables that were previously considered off-limits for gout sufferers, such as asparagus, spinach, and cauliflower, are now allowed because studies have shown that they do not raise uric acid levels.
– Dairy products: Protein in dairy products helps naturally reduce uric acid levels. Choose low-fat options, such as skim milk or low-fat yogurt.
– Tofu, whole grains, beans, and lentils: Plant-based proteins also help maintain a balanced diet. Vegetable oils such as olive oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil also protect against gout attacks.
– Citrus fruits: Fruits such as oranges, grapefruits and pineapples are good sources of vitamin C, which helps eliminate uric acid.
– Coffee: Moderate coffee consumption does not appear to increase uric acid levels and may even help reduce them.
– Avocados: Avocados are low in purines and contain monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, which help reduce inflammation and pain.
