HOW TO CONTROL URIC ACID THROUGH DIET

Overview

Uric acid occurs normally in the body in response to the ingestion of dietary purine, and typically is flushed out of the body through urination. In cases of people with gout, however, the body doesn't process uric acid properly, or produces too much of it, reports Drugs.com. This accumulation of uric acid in the blood sometimes settles in crystalline form in the joints, causing swelling and the arthritic pain known as a gout attack. While gout is treated with medication, it can also be managed through dietary restrictions that decrease uric acid levels.


Step 1
Avoid high-purine foods. Some meats, in particular, are very high in purine, which is the substance that is converted to uric acid when eaten. According to Drugs.com, some high-purine meats to avoid include organ meats, such as liver, brains and hearts; "game" poultry such as goose, duck and partridge; fish varieties such as herring and mackerel; seafood such as mussels and scallops; bouillon; gravy; and yeast in supplement form.


Step 2
Consult your doctor about medium-purine foods. You may be able to eat these in limited amounts, but keep in mind that all meats contain some purine. Drugs.com lists the medium-purine foods as beef, lamb, pork, dried beans, peas, lentils, asparagus, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach, oats, oatmeal and wheat germ.


Step 3

Drink lots of water. The Mayo Clinic reports that water, with its known flushing properties, helps with the elimination of uric acid from the body. You should try to drink eight 16 oz. glasses of water per day.


Step 4
Reduce your alcohol intake, or eliminate it altogether. According to the Mayo Clinic, beer in particular has been found to disrupt the body's ability to flush out uric acid, and has been associated with gout attacks. When you are having an acute attack of gout, you should not drink any alcohol. When you're not having an attack, the Mayo Clinic reports that you can drink two 5 oz. glasses of wine per day without further risk.


Step 5
Enjoy dairy products that are low in fat or fat-free. The Mayo Clinic cites data that indicate drinking skim or low-fat milk, or other low-fat dairy products, can decrease the risk of gout. You should aim to consume 16 to 24 fluid ounces of low-fat or fat-free dairy per day.



Tips and Warnings
Lose weight if needed. Drugs.com reports that maintaining a healthy weight places less strain on your joints, and may also reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood.