Last Updated:
High Uric Acid: As soon as there is mention of increase in uric acid, our eyes first go to our plate. It is often believed that eating red meat, kidney beans or high protein items increases uric acid. But have you ever wondered why uric acid increases in those people who are completely vegetarian and take utmost care of their diet? Experts believe that the increase in uric acid depends not only on what you are ‘eating’, but also on how your body is ‘removing’ it. Let us know about it.
The protein foods we eat contain elements called purines. When it enters the body, it breaks down during the digestion process and forms a waste called uric acid. Then it goes into the blood. The kidneys filter the uric acid present in the blood and remove it through urine. But when purines start increasing in excess, the amount of uric acid starts increasing in the blood. Heavy meals, red meat and alcohol etc. contain high amounts of purines.
Many times, despite following a purine free diet, the problem of uric acid does not reduce. If the release and excretion of uric acid level is not in balance then problems start. Even though we are doing everything right, we still don’t understand why this happens. So, what are the other reasons for increased uric acid in the body? Let us know how to keep it under control. According to the website of America’s famous non-profit academic medical center Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Health.
Dehydration- When there is lack of water in the body, it affects the kidneys the most. Purines are also present in the cells of our body. Kidneys filter uric acid from the blood and expel it through urine. But, due to dehydration the level of uric acid increases. Because when the body does not get enough liquid, the kidneys are not able to filter the waste properly. Due to this, uric acid accumulates in the blood. This problem of uric acid is more common in hot weather, after travelling, or in those who drink less water.
Add News18 as
Preferred Source on Google
Body Use: Our body produces uric acid by breaking down some cells every day. If this production becomes more than normal, then the level of uric acid in the body increases even without making any changes in the diet. Changes in cells, infection, inflammation or excessive physical stress can aggravate this condition. Therefore, after any kind of illness, injury or excessive exercise, there can be a sudden uric acid spike in the body.
Use of medicines- Some medicines also harm the kidney capacity. Taking medicines for high BP, medicines for long-term diseases and some heart medicines can cause side effects. These medicines interfere with the filtration of uric acid. This can cause problems like gout.
Kidneys also play an important role in increasing the level of uric acid in the body. They act like filters and remove two-thirds of the uric acid produced every day. If the functioning of the kidneys decreases even a little, then uric acid starts accumulating in the blood. Therefore, kidney health should always be tracked.
Metabolic stress and sudden lifestyle stress also affect uric acid levels. Things like excessive exercise, serious illness or infection, sudden weight loss, fasting or cutting down on food cause metabolic stress. They increase the breakdown of purines and cause excess uric acid formation. Athletes, crash dieters and people recovering from illness face this problem more.
Some people have genes in their body that affect the process of uric acid. Either excess uric acid is produced in their body or the kidneys are not able to filter it properly, due to which the level increases. Things like obesity, insulin resistance, high BP are also the main reasons for this.
What should be done? To balance uric acid, some habits along with food also have to be changed. When you are very tired, hungry, lose weight quickly, fall ill or are under stress, the body releases more uric acid. Therefore, if you do some other activities along with eating, the level of uric acid can be balanced. The more natural method you adopt, the more benefit you will get.
