What Is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a waste product found in blood. It is created when the body breaks down certain substances called purines.Purines are normally produced in the body and it also can be found in some of the food.
What Is The Main Causing Factor Of Elevated Uric Acid Levels?
1 Diet that contains high purine food
High consumption in foods and drinks with high content of purines may contribute to high uric acid levels.
2 Obesity
Being overweight can increase the production of uric acid and reduce its elimination function, making obese individuals more susceptible to high uric acid levels.
3 Genetic / Family history
Some people are genetically have higher levels of uric acid in their body or to have difficulty eliminating it efficiently. Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys. From there, it passes out in urine. Too much uric acid building up in the body may cause various health complications including gout, kidney disease and heart disease.
Health Complications of High Uric Acid
| 1 | Gout |  |
| If too much uric acid stays in the body, it may cause crystals of uric acid to form. These crystals can settle in the joints and cause gout. Gout is a very common, painful form of arthritis which causes swelling, redness and stiffness of the joints. Gout usually affects the big toe and can later attack ankles,heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. If untreated, gout can result in permanent joint and kidney damage. It is 3 times more common in male than in female. | ||
| 2 | Kidney disease |  |
| Besides that, high uric acid levels can also cause uric acid stones in kidney. In long term, it may lead to kidney failure. Sign and symptoms of kidney problems:
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| 3 | Heart disease |  |
| High uric acid level could increase the blood thickness, which results in a significant reduction of blood flow rate and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. In long term, this could lead to high blood pressure and weakening of heart muscle. | ||
How To Reduce Uric Acid Level In Our Body?
Other than controlling the consumption of foods high in purines, there are other lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce uric acid:
6 Foods That Reduce Your Uric Acid Levels Naturally:
Foods that rich in antioxidants, high anti-inflammatory compounds and high dietary fiber content could promote uric acid elimination.
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