What is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is the waste product formed by the breakdown of substances called purines in the body. Purines are formed in the body and are also present in some food and drinks. When uric acid is formed in the blood, it gets passed to the kidneys. Further, the kidneys filter out uric acid in the form of urine or stool. Ayurvedic treatment for uric acid is herbal and prevents flare-ups.
Uric acid is a paradoxical situation in the body- helping one side and stimulating health issues on the other.
- An accurate level of uric acid helps in the inflammatory process necessary for tissue repair, stimulates the immune system, and maintains blood pressure in a salt-poor environment.
- A high level of uric acid, also called Hyperuricemia can increase the risk of gout (a type of arthritis), kidney stones, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome (escalate the chances of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease).
- A low level of uric acid affects very few people (0.5% of the population) yet can cause serious neurologic disorders, reduced kidney function, and painful nerve conditions.
The different levels of uric acid in the body are stated below:
| Uric Acid Levels | Males | Females |
| Low | below 2.5 mg/dL | below 1.5 mg/dL |
| Normal | 2.5-7.0 mg/dL | 1.5-6.0 mg/dL |
| High | above 7.0 mg/dL | above 6.0 mg/dL |
Causes & Symptoms of High Uric Acid
Clear causes of uric acid are still not known. However, factors like genetics, environment, health, and diet play a crucial role. Some of the causes are listed below:
- Drinking excessive alcohol (especially beer)
- Consuming Diuretics (water pills)
- High Blood Pressure
- Drinking too much soda
- Eating high amounts of food containing fructose (a type of sugar)
- Kidney disorders
- Inherited traits
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- A purine-rich diet, etc.
High uric acid does not show symptoms itself. Most people do not get to know that they suffer from uric acid until it’s high enough to cause gout or kidney stones. Some of the symptoms of increased uric acid are:
- Pain and swelling in joints
- Redness around the joints
- Pain in lower back
- High temperature
- Discomfort while urinating
Effects of High Uric Acid
Elevated levels of uric acid levels in the blood collect and form sharp crystals. These crystals settle in the joints and take the form of gout. Also, the crystals present in the kidneys tend to build kidney stones. Gout and kidney stones caused by high uric acid give immense pain but are also treatable if caught on time. With the change in some aspects of daily routine, correct diet, and exercise one can prevent the further complications of high uric acid.
· Gout
Gout occurs due to high uric acid in the body and is a form of arthritis. It causes pain and swelling in the joints. Males are at more risk of gout than females and the chances of developing gout increase with age. The sharp crystals of uric acid gather around the big toe and other joints causing pain. Along with this, gout can also be experienced in the ankle, midfoot, and knee. The symptoms of gout are:
- Severe pain and swelling
- Redness and discolored skin
- Inflammation of the joint (warm to touch)
- Restricted Movement of Joint
· Kidney Stone
Kidney stones are formed when more waste tends to get collected in the urine. These wastes form crystal shapes from substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. As such, the urine becomes concentrated and these substances stick together to form kidney stones. If the stones are too small they pass out of the body through urine without pain. But if not, the urine gets collected in the bladder, kidney, ureter, or urethra giving the symptoms such as:
- Pain in the lower back or side
- Fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting due to pain
- Blood and pain while peeing
- Feeling to pee more often
Ayurvedic Treatment for Uric Acid
Ayurveda has the power to treat every chronic disease. It works on balancing the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and sustaining a healthy lifestyle through Prakriti (nature). Then ayurvedic management of uric acid can be the best option if you want to reduce it naturally. Maintaining correct uric acid levels is way too compulsory to run life smoothly. There are several herb-based remedies along with dietary and lifestyle modifications that can be fruitful in keeping the average level of uric acid. These are:
Ayurvedic Herbs For Uric Acid
- Mixing the three fruits bibhitaki, amalaki, and haritak, triphala is a perfect blend that aims at the three doshas in the body. Being anti-inflammatory in nature, it can be used to relieve gout (a problem due to high uric acid).
- Giloy is a powerful herb used in the Ayurvedic system for treating several health issues. It is helpful in joint inflammation and reducing uric acid.
- Another powerful herb on the list is Neem. Again with easing strong inflammatory effects on joints, neem can be used when the uric acid flares up.
- Guduchi has been used in Ayurveda for several years and is specialized for lowering uric acid. It reduces the Pita amount and alleviates joint pain.
Dietary Changes for Uric Acid
- Less purine-rich food- Food items high in purine combine to form uric acid in the body. A person eating a regular high purine-rich diet is at risk of developing uric acid. A purine-rich food includes:
- Organ meats
- Sea Food
- Sweetened Beverages
- Alcohol
- Stay Hydrated- Increased water intake will be supportive in diluting the uric acid in the blood and flush it out through urine.
- Well-balanced meal- Meals taken in a day should contain an adequate amount of nutrients, vitamins, and other essential substances. One must include fruits, legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products to achieve a normal level of uric acid. High-purine alternatives can be:
Lifestyle Modification For Uric Acid
- Excess weight can trigger uric acid and gout. To avoid such issues and to stay healthy, proper body weight is a must to achieve. Sudden weight loss will also cause a jump in uric acid. So, it’s wise to choose a slow weight-loss process and then maintain it.
- Daily physical activity such as playing sports, walking, performing exercises, or doing yoga can be performed to burn fat. Exercising is equally important for people suffering from gout as they are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
- Alcohol is high source of purines and, hence favorably contributes to increasing uric acid. Beer and distilled liquors are highly associated with uric acid and must be avoided or consumed in moderate amounts.
Conclusion
It is difficult to live with high uric acid as it results in gout and kidney stones. Sharp pain in the joints and kidneys causes discomfort and uneasiness.
Ayurveda is the holistic approach practiced with natural ingredients to treat uric acid. One of the best-known hospitals, Dr. Sharda Ayurveda has numerous patients who benefit from the comprehensive Ayurvedic methods in treating uric acids. The hospital provides the facilities of one-to-one consultation, tests, dietary regime, herb-based medicine, and other important measure. Stated from India, Ayurveda has spread its branches worldwide. People have started following the natural path to achieve a healthy life.
