By Sobiya N. Moghul, Health Me Up
High uric acid levels in the blood stream can lead to a common form of arthritis called gout. To prevent gout, it is essential to maintain good eating habits and have proper medication. To reduce the uric acid levels in blood, you may need to limit intake of alcohol, sugary foods and reduce purine rich foods like meat, poultry, seafood and pulses. Vegetables such as cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, peas and mushroom also contain a lot of purines. Digestion of purine leads to the formation of uric acid. If uric acid is not eliminated normally which is seen in gout sufferers, it can build up in the blood stream leading to joint inflammation and pain.
Water
Water flushes out toxins including excess uric acid from the body. Have at least 10- 12 glasses of water daily.
Cherries
Cherries have anti – inflammatory substances named anthocyanis that help reduce uric acid levels .It prevents the uric acid from crystallizing and being deposited in the joints. Cherries also neutralize the acids and help prevent inflammation and pain. 200 gms per day is very effective in bringing down uric acid.
Berries
Berries especially strawberries, and blueberries have anti-inflammatory properties so include them in your diet.
Apple
Malic acid in apple neutralizes uric acid and thus provides relief to the sufferers. You should consume one apple daily after a meal.
Lime
The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of the uric acid .The juice of half a lime squeezed into a glass of water should be taken twice daily.
French bean juice
Another effective home remedy for gout is French beans juice. The healthy juice can be consumed twice everyday for treating gout or high uric acid.
Celery seed
This is a popular home remedy to lower uric acid levels in the body. Have celery seeds extract to get best results.
Apple cider vinegar
Drink apple cider vinegar. Add 3 teaspoons of vinegar to 8 ounces of water and have it 2-3 times every day to treat uric acid.
Pinto beans
A diet rich in folic acid can help lower uric acid naturally. Folic acid rich foods like pinto beans, sunflower seeds and lentils should be included in your diet.
Vegetable juices
Carrot juice in combination with beet and cucumber juice is also very effective .100 ml each of beet juice and cucumber juice should be mixed with 300 ml carrot juice and taken daily.
Low fat dairy products like milk, curd help lower uric acid level.
Foods rich in Vit C
Include vitamin C rich foods & supplements in your daily diet to reduce uric acid in the body. It disintegrates uric acid and forces it out of the body through urine. Good sources of vitamin C are awla, guava, kiwi, sweet lime, oranges, capsicum, lemon, tomato and green leafy veg.
High-fibre foods
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, adding foods high in dietary fibre may help lower uric acid levels in your blood. Dietary fibre may help absorb uric acid in your bloodstream, allowing it to be eliminated from your body through your kidneys. Increase the consumption of dietary soluble fibers such as Isabgol, Oats, Broccoli , apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, blueberries, cucumbers, celery, and carrots , barley .
Bananas are also beneficial in lowering uric acid
Green tea
Consume green tea on a regular basis to control hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels) and lower your risk of developing gout.
Eating grains that are more alkaline such as jowar,bajra are helpful.
Tomatoes, broccoli, and cucumbers are some of the veggies that you need to start including in your meals. Tomatoes are one of the best vegetables that you could have for lowering uric acid. Fresh tomato is alkaline by nature and when it is exposed to the blood stream it increases the alkalinity of the blood.
Dark chocolate, cocoa
“According to health insurance company Bupa, theobromine is an alkaloid that is similar in structure to caffeine. It is found mainly in the cocoa bean and is at the highest levels in dark chocolates. Theobromine also can relax the bronchial muscles of the lungs and according to a small study, was more effective than codeine in relieving coughing. According to Dr. Shmuel Halevi at Acumedico.com, theobromine has the highest concentration of uric acid per gram of food than any other substance”, as reported by Livestrong.
Raw vegetables like potatoes or corns are effective to reduce uric acid in the body. Have them raw or steam these vegetables.
Omega 3
Essential fat Omega 3 from flaxseeds, walnuts, fishes like salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines reduces inflammation and swelling.
(Data courtesy: Mitalee Doshi, Founder at Oomph Nutrition – An online diet & nutrition consultancy firm)
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Courtesy – Times of India
