10 Natural Ways to Control Uric Acid

At PurMEDICA, we want to help you understand the importance of controlling the level of uric acid in your body. If your kidneys aren’t able to flush enough uric acid from your system, or if there’s simply too much of the acid being produced in your body, it can easily lead to renal failure, kidney stones, gout, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Besides taking one of our nutraceutical products, there are natural ways to control uric acid.

1. A Diet Low in Purine

Purines are mostly found in animal proteins and are made up of compounds that contain nitrogen that increase the level of uric acid in the body when they breakdown. Specific foods that are rich in proteins include organ meats, beans, legumes, meat, asparagus, poultry and fish. If you like to have a beer or two every now and then, be aware the drink contains purines as well. While you can eat foods that contain purines, you’ll want to make sure you don’t have too many of them in the same meal.

2. Starchy Carbohydrates and Foods High in Fiber

By increasing your daily intake of dietary fiber, you can lower the amount of uric acid in your body. Fiber absorbs uric acid and flushes it from your system. Eating starchy carbohydrates is also a good way to lower the amount of purines in your body.

Examples of high-fiber foods include oranges, whole grains, pears, strawberries and apples. Starchy carbohydrates are quinoa, potatoes, whole grain pasta, rice, bananas, oats and tapioca.

While you’re enjoying your high fiber foods and starchy carbs, you can sip on green papaya tea to keep uric acid from getting a foothold in your system. Green papaya tea is also effective at treating gout and health complications associated with high levels of uric acid. What makes the drink so effective at balancing uric acid is that it allows the body to maintain a balanced alkaline state and is also an anti-inflammatory.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple cider vinegar is a natural detoxifier and cleanser that has malic acid to get rid of uric acid. Apple cider vinegar is also great for balancing alkaline acid with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

To control uric acid with apple cider vinegar, add a teaspoon of unpasteurized raw, organic vinegar to a cup of water and drink it at least two times a day. If you like, you can gradually add two tablespoons a day. One word of caution is to not take too much apple cider vinegar since there’s a chance you might lower the level of potassium in your body. You should also ask your doctor about drinking apple cider vinegar if you’re taking diuretic drugs since the vinegar may interfere with them.

4. Baking Soda

Also known as bicarbonate of soda, baking soda helps to treat any gout pain you might be experiencing while lowering your body’s overall level of uric acid. The way it works is it makes uric acid soluble and easier to be flushed from your system. Because of this, smaller amounts of bicarbonate of soda are found in popular uric acid reducing supplements.

To use baking soda to keep your uric acid levels in check, mix a half teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of water and drink the mixture no more than four times a day. Repeat this every two to four hours for two weeks.

It’s best that you not drink baking soda and water on a regular basis. Also, you’ll want to seek an alternative treatment if you have high blood pressure. If you’re 60 or older, refrain from consuming more than three glasses of water and baking soda a day.

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil makes for a healthier choice than a majority of vegetable oils. The problem with oils derived from plants is that they usually turn into fats whenever you heat them up or when they’re processed. Those fats then break down vitamin E in your body, which you need to keep your uric acid levels in check. Cold-pressed olive oil is a much better option because it has monosaturated fats that are able to remain balanced whenever they become heated. Another reason olive oil is better is that it has antioxidant that have anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products that have low levels of fat usually have lower amounts of plasma urate and can reduce a person’s risk of gout. The orotic acid in skim milk is good for lowering uric acid re-absorption and flushing it through your kidneys. You’ll want to drink at least one cup of skim milk every day or have a low-fat yogurt or dairy product in your daily diet.

7. Wheatgrass Juice

By consuming wheatgrass, you help to bring back a proper balance of alkalinity in your body. Another great thing about wheatgrass is that it’s packed with phytochemicals, chlorophyll and vitamin C, which help breakdown toxins in of your body. Even better, wheatgrass is a great way to make sure you get enough protein and amino acids in your daily diet if you prefer not or are unable to eat animal protein.

To reap the benefits of wheatgrass juice and control your uric acid levels, drink two tablespoons of wheatgrass juice blended with a bit of lemon juice every day until you successfully bring your uric acid levels down.

8. Water

Simply drinking at least eight glasses of water a day goes a long way in filtering out uric acid. Water is instrumental in breaking down the acid and helping your kidneys to flush extra acid. Another benefit of drinking water is that it helps lower your chances of having a gout attack. In addition to drinking water, you can also eat vegetables and fruits that have a high water content.

9. Vitamin C

Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables also in supplement form. While Vitamin C does not block the uric acid from forming, it does assist the body in the excretion of excess uric acid.  Adding more Vitamin C in any form can assist the body in reducing the bodies uric acid level

10. Natural Herb Extracts  

Plant extracts such as Banaba leaf, Acai, and Celery Seed, have natural properties capable of preventing the body from converting purines into uric acid to promoting excess uric acid excretion.  Banaba leaf extract contain Valoneic Acid Dilactone (VAD). VAD has been shown to be an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, allowing the the body to lower uric acid.  Celery Seed acts as a diuretic, stimulating the kidneys, allowing for higher uric acid excretion.

Supplements combining natural extracts together can have an even more powerful effect in controlling uric acid levels.

Take control of your uric acid with these natural foods and liquids. For more tips and information, reach out to us here at PurMEDICA.