Hyderabad Blues: [HM:255217] Health: High Uric Acid --- Sypmtoms and Diet

The body produces uric acid as a waste by breaking down a substance known as purine, which is found in several types of foods. And this waste is carried in the blood, passes through the kidneys and eliminated in the urine. However, in some cases, the body remains unable to flush out the required amount of uric acid, or it starts producing too much of it. This condition of high uric acid level is clinically known as hyperuricemia. Generally, it does not become a source of concern. However, in some cases, people who have hyperuricemia were found to develop medical conditions such as gout, kidney stones or experienced kidney failure. Causes which have been associated with elevated uric acid symptoms include alcohol abuse, genetics, certain drugs, caffeine and niacin or vitamin B3.

Diseases such as Hodgkin's disease (a malignant disorder in which there is progressive (but painless) enlargement of lymph tissue followed by enlargement of the spleen and liver) hypothyroidism, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, obesity, and psoriasis are also considered to be responsible for high uric acid level. Consumption of foods high in purine are also related with the condition. Such foods include organ meat, game meat, anchovies, herring, gravy, dried beans, dried peas and other foods. The symptoms indicate the presence of the condition have been described in the following.

Symptoms of Too Much Uric Acid

The symptoms which occur in people diagnosed with hyperuricemia are actually caused by the complications of the condition. As mentioned earlier, this disorder could cause gout, kidney stones or kidney failure. The characteristic symptoms of each of these complications are as follows:

Gout
Gout occurs when there is an accumulation of uric acid crystals in a joint. Severe pain that becomes worse even with light pressure, such as that of a blanket, is the most prominent symptom of gout. Other symptoms include warmth, swelling and tenderness in the affected joint. Peeling of the skin around the affected joint is also a manifestation of gout, apart from restricted movements in the affected joint and fever.

Kidney Stones
Affected people may not notice any symptoms until a stone has logged itself in the ureter. And when it does, it may cause pain in the back, side, abdomen, groin or genitals. Painful and frequent urination, nausea or vomiting and blood in urine are the other symptoms.

Kidney failure
If symptoms such as decreased urination, swelling in the limbs, shortness of breath, confusion and drowsiness occur in someone with high uric acid, then it may indicate that he has kidney failure. Other symptoms of the same include fatigue, confusion, seizure, or chest pain.

Although experiencing the symptoms above may indicate problems with kidney or a condition such as gout, it is not necessary that the underlying cause is high uric acid. This is because, these three conditions could be caused by other factors as well. So it is advisable to go for a medical checkup if any of these symptoms show up. And if hyperuricemia is found to be the cause, then apart from what the doctor prescribes as the medicine, it would be wise for you to change your diet. Meaning, go for foods which are low in purine. Avoid foods that are high in alkaloids and protein. Meats, seafood, alcohol, herring, mussels, scallops, caviar, baked products, sardines, and most shell-type sea foods should be omitted from the meal menu. Vegetables such as dried beans and peas, asparagus, legumes, mushrooms, spinach., kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, rhubarb, cauliflower, etc., must also be avoided, as their consumption is also related to increase the levels of uric acid in the body and so do eating white sugars and all kinds of fried foods.

By Rajib Singha

LOW URIC ACID DIET:

Food with low uric acid and purines form the base for anti-gout diet. The list for low uric acid food includes skim milk, low fat dairy products, tofu, whole grains, berries and nuts amongst others. Read on, to know more about anti-gout diet food

Identifying food that contain low uric acid and including them in the daily diet are suggested for long-term gout management. Gout is chronic medical condition, which is caused due to excess buildup of uric acid in the body. Over time, the uric acid is converted to urate crystals, and get deposited in the joints. Characterized by frequent bouts of joint pain, it is a type of progressive arthritis. The probable consequences of gout are joint damage, kidney stone formation and impaired kidney function.

Food that Contain Low Uric Acid

While prompt treatment for acute gout attacks is done with prescription medications, the objective for curing gout is reducing uric acid levels in the body. For achieving the same, patients diagnosed with this inflammatory disease should make changes in the diet and lifestyle habits. Eatables containing less uric acids make the bulk of anti-gout diet. They contain less purines, which form uric acids after digestion and trigger gout symptoms. The purported uric acid diet contains relatively high carbohydrates, moderate protein and low fat. Listed below are some low uric acid food that can be included in gout diet.

Dairy Products
Milk contains some of the essential nutrients, but is low in uric acid content. Considering this, it is a main food item in the gout diet. Increase intake of low fat milk and dairy products (cheese, yogurt) is linked with reduced gout attacks. Thus, health experts encourage their patients to increase milk consumption for combating painful gout symptoms.

Tofu and Soybean Products
Tofu is beneficial for lowering concentration of plasma protein, and it also aids in clearing uric acid from the body. Any form of hulled and defatted soybean is good for gout patients. Of course, they contain adequate amounts of proteins. But, they are less fatty, and are healthier alternatives to meat. While adding soybean in natural form, check the serving quantities.

Whole Grains
Cereals and cereal products are excellent for including in the uric acid reduction diet. Containing high carbohydrate and low fat, they meet the criteria for uric acid diet. Whole grains are also rich sources of dietary fiber, which help in maintaining good bowel health. However, supplement whole grain food products with healthy protein sources for planning balanced diet.

Dark Berries
Mention low uric acid food and one cannot miss fresh berries, such as strawberries, blue berries, blackberries, etc. They are loaded with antioxidants, and aid in reducing inflammation. Similar to fresh berries, all types of cherries are highly appreciated for their lower uric acid content and high nutritional value. They can be served as mixed fruit salads, or as toppings to daily breakfast cereals.

Nuts
Healthy nuts, like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts also form a part of this list. Most people are concerned about including nuts in the gout diet, as they contain fat. It is to be borne in mind that the fat in these dried fruits are healthy types. However, people who are watching their weight should reduce the serving amounts of these uric acid lowering food.

Eggs and Poultry
Eggs are not harmful for patients diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, provided that the serving amount is monitored properly. A patient of gout can have 3-4 eggs per week, but not more than that. The same restriction is applicable for poultry meat. Under low serving amounts, they are considered better alternatives to other animal products for providing proteins.

Some Fruits and Vegetables
Banana, apples, pineapple, celery, tomatoes, parsley, are healthy choices. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the key items for healthy diet. But, many of the green veggies contain uric acid in high percentage, and fruits rich in natural sugar aggravate gout symptoms. The point is to understand the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables, before adding in the gout diet plan.

Incorporating the above low uric acid food in the diet plan will help in reducing the frequency of gout attacks. In addition, a patient should increase daily fluid intake to flush off uric acid crystals. Needless to mention, food products high in uric acid should be strictly avoided in gout diet. Examples are sardines, anchovies, other seafood, minced meat, organ meat, red meat, yeast and sweet bread amongst others. Also, one should refrain from alcoholic beverages, as they aggravate gout symptoms.