Uric acid is a natural waste product from the digestion of foods that contain purines. Purines are found in high levels in some foods such as:
- red meat
- organ meats
- sardines
- beer
Purines are also formed and broken down in your body.
Normally, your body filters out uric acid through your kidneys and in urine. If you consume too much purine in your diet, or if your body can’t get rid of this by-product fast enough, uric acid can build up in your blood.
A normal uric acid level is under 6.8 mg/dl. A high uric acid level (above 6.8 mg/dL) is known as hyperuricemia. This can lead to a disease called gout that causes painful joints that accumulate urate crystals. It can also make your blood and urine too acidic.
Uric acid can collect in your body for many reasons. Some of these are:
- diet
- genetics
- obesity or being overweight
Certain health disorders can also lead to high uric acid levels:
- kidney disease
- diabetes mellitus
- hypothyroidism
- some types of cancers or chemotherapy
- psoriasis
Read on to learn how you can lower uric acid levels in your body naturally.
Limit purine-rich foods
You can limit the source of uric acid in your diet. Purine-rich foods include some types of meat, seafood, and vegetables. All of these foods give off uric acid when they’re digested.
Avoid or reduce your intake of foods such as:
- red meat
- organ meats
- fish
- shellfish
- poultry
Results from a 2020 study suggest that lowering your intake of purine-rich vegetables may not affect uric acid levels.
Find tips for following a low-purine diet here.
