How to Get Rid of Uric Acid Naturally: 11 Effective Remedies & Prevention Tips

Are you struggling with itchy skin, joint pain, or the development of nodules? These can be the symptoms of high uric acid (Hyperuricemia). Managing them is crucial to prevent the risk of severe health issues. So, "How to get rid of uric acid?" This blog will guide you on the natural ways to reduce high uric acid levels. Additionally, we'll discuss what actually causes it and how to prevent its recurrence! Read on!

How to Get Rid of Uric Acid Naturally? 11 Reliable Ways

There are several safe, cost-effective, and reliable methods if you are looking for how to reduce uric acid levels in the body. The following are the natural ways to lower uric acid levels:

1. Limit Purine-rich Foods

Limit the use of purine-rich foods such as red meat, fish, poultry, organ meats, and shellfish as they are great sources of uric acid. One research says that lowering the consumption of purine-rich vegetables might not impact uric acid levels. 

2. Take Lime Juice

Lime juice has a high substance of vitamin C which can effectively control uric acid levels and keep them from going over the optimal level. The citric acid in lime helps break down uric acid levels.

3. Try Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is a prominent solution for its detoxification abilities. It is believed that it helps neutralize the levels of uric acid by its alkaline nature. However, it is yet to be proven effective by scientific evidence. To try it, make sure to mix some ACV in water to drink.

4. Eat Cherries

Cherries and their juice are found to be effective in reducing uric acid in individuals with gout as they contain anthocyanins, which lower uric acid levels and decrease the severity and frequency of gout attacks. 

5. Avoid Sugar

Fructose, a natural sugar in fruits, beverages, and honey, when broken down by the body, releases purines, which raises uric acid levels. Also, refined sugar found in processed and packaged foods is quickly absorbed, which causes a spike in blood sugar levels, leading to increased uric acid in the blood. 

6. Drink Plenty of Water

Drink more water, ideally 8 glasses of water each day, to eliminate excess uric acid. Consuming plenty of water supports kidney function, which aids in filtering out around 70% of uric acid. 

7. Drink Coffee

A study shows that coffee can reduce serum uric acid levels by fighting off enzymes that break down purines and increase the speed with which the body eliminates uric acid. You can have it moderately to treat gout and hyperuricemia. 

8. Consume High-Fiber Foods

Eat high-fiber foods like pears, apples, zucchini, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and pumpkin to reduce uric acid levels. Make sure to add 22-24 g of fiber to your diet. Moreover, start slowly to avoid digestive discomfort. 

9. Avoid Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol such as beer has a high purine content, which can trigger increased uric acid levels in the body. Additionally, it boosts the metabolism of nucleotides, which are also rich in purines, raising uric acid levels. Moreover, alcohol can speed up the rate at which uric acid is produced.  

10. Manage a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy body weight can also reduce uric acid levels in the blood by supporting the kidneys to work more efficiently. It also increases the elimination of uric acid via urine. So, follow a well-balanced diet for proper weight management. 

11. Avoid Medications Raising Uric Acid Levels

Some medications like diuretics, aspirin, vitamin B-3, blood pressure medications, cyclosporine, and pyrazinamide can lead to the build-up of uric acid in the body. So, stop their use and find alternative options by consulting with your doctor.

Potential Causes of High Uric Acid Levels

Below are some reasons for high uric acid:

• High Prune-rich Food Intake: Increased uric acid production is due to a high intake of prune-rich food and cell breakdown. 

• Frequent Alcohol Use: Drinking alcohol over long periods may develop high uric acid levels by producing more amount of uric acid and preventing its excretion.

• Excessive Fat Intake: Interrupts the body’s ability to eliminate uric acid via kidneys, increasing your risk of osteoarthritis and kidney stones. 

• Kidney Issues: There might be something wrong with the kidney to excrete excess uric acid produced due to problems related to the kidney.

• Certain Medications: Medicines such as diuretics and immunosuppressants can also impact uric acid levels by affecting kidney function to eliminate the uric acid. 

• Genetics: Individuals with a family history of gout are at more risk of developing high uric acid levels in their bodies. 

It is seen more in men than women. In women, high uric acid can be seen after pregnancy or menopause. Women with high weight levels can also have high uric acid.

High Uric Acid Symptoms

Most individuals do not develop symptoms despite high uric acid levels. They experience symptoms when increased uric acid levels lead to issues like gout and kidney stones. 

Symptoms of a gout attack:

• Extreme pain

• Redness or discoloration

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Tenderness

• Warmth or a burning feeling in the joint

Symptoms of kidney stones:

• Pain in the lower back or side

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fever or chills

• Bloody urine

• Pain while urinating

• Not being able to pee

• Urge to pee more often

• Bad smelly or cloudy pee 

If you experience any symptoms, see a doctor.

High Uric Acid or Hyperuricemia Treatment

The healthcare providers may prescribe medications to treat gout or kidney stones.

Gout Treatment

• Gout is treated using medications like colchicine and NSAIDs, which help settle the symptoms. NSAIDs are used to treat acute gout symptoms like inflammation.

• Once the episode settles down, doctors provide prescription medications like Allopurinol and Febuxostat to decrease high uric acid levels.

• If gout causes intense pain, a huge abnormality, or severe infection, a doctor may suggest these surgeries:

• Joint fusion: Involves fusion of a joint to stabilize in case of chronic gout that has caused major tissue damage.

• Joint replacement: Replacing an infected joint with a new, artificial one.

• Tophi removal: Removes tophi (monosodium urate crystals in the joints) in the case of severe infection, abnormality, or discomfort.

Kidney Stone Treatment

• A doctor may prescribe medications like Probenecid to help the kidneys flush out uric acid and Potassium citrate to increase the alkalinity of urine which also aids in excreting uric acid.

• If the kidney stones are very large, cause infections, and even block your pee, the healthcare providers may suggest a surgery called shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). This surgical procedure uses high-energy shock waves to effectively break down the kidney stones.

Tips to Prevent Hyperuricemia (High Uric Acid Levels)

These simple tips can prevent hyperuricemia and keep the kidneys and joints healthy:

• Stay Hydrated: Drink a lot of water to get rid of excess uric acid from the body.

• Consume a Low-Purine Diet: Eat potatoes, fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, nuts, and fat-free dairy products to maintain uric acid levels.

• Limit Sugary Drinks & Alcohol: Avoid beer and sugary sodas as they highly contribute to high uric acid.

• Increase Fiber Intake: Eat fruits, green vegetables, and whole grains to excrete excess uric acid.

• Exercise Regularly: Practice exercises to maintain a healthy body weight and uric acid levels.

• Manage Stress: Engage in yoga, deep breathing techniques, and meditation to prevent uric acid triggers.

Final Thoughts

So, how to get rid of uric acid? This is a common concern of people living with gout or kidney stones. Avoiding purine-rich foods, sugar, and alcohol, drinking plenty of water, drinking coffee, eating cherries and high-fiber foods, and taking lime juice and apple cider vinegar are the natural ways to reduce high uric acid levels. If these home remedies don’t work, the healthcare providers may help with medicines and surgery. So, always watch for symptoms of both gout and kidney stones, and report them immediately to your doctor to avoid further complications.