List of Foods That Reduce Uric Acid

A gout attack can be very painful. While there are a number of reasons why your uric acid levels may be elevated, making changes to your diet to reduce the amount in your blood may help prevent flare-ups. Consult your doctor to discuss uric acid in your diet.

Is This an Emergency?

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Gout and Uric Acid

Uric acid is a byproduct of purines, which are substances found in food. In most people, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is excreted in the urine. Some people produce too much uric acid or have a difficult time excreting it.

Part of the treatment for people with gout is to limit intake of foods that increase uric acid levels.

Having high blood levels of uric acid also increases your risk of kidney stones, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center 2.

  • Uric acid is a byproduct of purines, which are substances found in food.
  • In most people, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is excreted in the urine.

Purines in Food

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Limiting your intake of foods high in purines helps reduce blood uric acid levels. If you're struggling to keep your gout from flaring up, you may need to avoid these foods. Red meat, other types of seafood and poultry also contain purines, and you should limit your intake to 3 ounces at mealtimes.

Foods to Include

Carbohydrates help your body get rid of uric acid, says UPMC, and should be the basis of your diet. That means more fruits and whole grains such as whole-wheat bread, oats, brown rice and whole-wheat pasta.

Round out your choices with plenty of vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin C such as peppers and broccoli, which may assist in reducing uric acid levels.

Also, choose low-fat or nonfat dairy foods, fat in food causes your kidneys to retain uric acid, according to UPMC.

  • Carbohydrates help your body get rid of uric acid, says UPMC, and should be the basis of your diet.
  • Round out your choices with plenty of vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin C such as peppers and broccoli, which may assist in reducing uric acid levels.

Additional Tips

List of Foods High in Uric Acid

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Make sure you drink plenty of water, 8 cups to 12 cups a day, to help prevent the formation of kidney stones. Upping your intake of water also assists in flushing out the uric acid from your body, helping to reduce levels. Also, if you're trying to lose weight, go slow. Losing weight too quickly may also increase the amount of uric acid in your blood.

  • Make sure you drink plenty of water, 8 cups to 12 cups a day, to help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
  • Upping your intake of water also assists in flushing out the uric acid from your body, helping to reduce levels.
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