Whenever you eat something, your body absorbs all the good stuff like proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients and sends away the waste. One of those waste products is uric acid. It leaves your body through urine or stools.  

Too much of anything is typically bad for the body and the same goes for uric acid. Too much uric acid leads to a condition called hyperuricemia that is a contributing factor to Gout, Kidney stones, Heart disease and a bunch of other ailments. So, it is important to keep your uric acid levels in the right balance. In this article find out all about the causes, symptoms of uric acid and the natural ways to maintain the right levels.

Formation of High Uric Acid

Uric acid is primarily produced during the breakdown of waste products called purines which are found in certain types of food and also when cells die or get taken apart.

The uric acid levels in the body increase when there is too much produced in the body or when kidneys are unable to get rid off it due to ailments like diabetes, kidney disease, etc. The high levels of uric acid then form crystals which get deposited in your joints as a form of arthritis called Gout or in the form of kidney stones.

The impact of rising uric acid levels has also been linked with heart and arterial health, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, poor blood flow, blood sugar concerns, obesity, kidney health, and early mortality.

The Ayurvedic Perspective

According to the texts of Ayurveda high uric acid is caused due to a vitiation of Vata and Rakta Dhatu or blood. The pairing of Vata and Rakta Dhatu is similar to air and fire and that is why it spreads and causes huge flare-ups harming the joints.

It can also be caused due to an aggravated Pitta Dosha or fire element in the body. By consuming fiery foods like animal organs such as liver, alcoholic drinks, and seafood, the Pitta is aggravated and leads to excess uric acid levels.

Causes of High Uric Acid

The most reliable test for determining your uric acid level is blood urea. Here are the top causes of  elevated uric acid in your body:

    • A diet high in purines from foods rich in high fructose corn syrup, too much salt, processed foods, meat, seafood, alcohol, high protein foods
    • Dehydration
    • Indigestion and Build-up of Ama or Toxins overtime
    • Too much exercise
    • Metabolic Disorders including obesity, high blood sugar, lipid disorders
    • Medications, including thiazides, loop diuretics, and low-dose aspirin, niacin
    • Chemotherapy
    • Acidosis
    • Kidney disorders
    • Hereditary factors
    • Psoriasis
    • Toxemia related pregnancy
  • Hypoparathyroidism

Symptoms of High Uric Acid

While hyperuricemia is not a disease by itself, a prolonged state of this condition leads to other diseases. Symptoms include:

    • Joint pain and pain in lower back, side, abdomen or groin
    • Nausea
    • Fever
    • Swelling
    • Itching
    • Increase in the urge to urinate
    • Blood in urine
    • Foul-smelling urine
    • Pain and difficulty while urinating
  • Urinary Tract Infections

Ayurvedic Ways to Treat High Uric Acid

  1. Avoid foods that are high in Purines and Practice Healthy Lifestyle

Foods that are high in purines include organ meat, meat extracts, gravy, sardines, tuna, anchovies, shellfish, beer, alcohol, sugary foods and beverages that have high fructose corn syrup. Exercise, avoid stress and get the right amount of sleep as part of your healthy lifestyle.

  1. Include Alkalizing Foods

Foods that are low in purines and foods alkaline in nature will have a neutralizing effect on uric acid. Include more of them in your diet and keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water between meals.

  1. Natural Foods to Maintain the Right Levels

Consumer aloe vera or amla juice to pacify the fire and Pitta in your body. Also include fresh coconut water, foods rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, high fiber, vegetables that grow on climbers like bitter gourd, ash gourd, zucchini and pumpkin, Celery – a natural diuretic, fruits like tart cherries, blueberries, strawberries. Ginger, black pepper and cinnamon are some spices that you can include with your food to support healthy levels of uric acid.

4, Ayurvedic Herbs to Lower Uric Acid

Include the following herbs for quick results:

    • Triphala – There are three vitamin C rich fruits in Triphala – Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki which are well-studied to effectively lower uric acid levels.
    • Ashwagandha – Beyond its stress-busting and immune boosting properties, the Ashwagandha root also effectively lowers uric acid.
    • Guduchi or Giloy – Consuming this herb in empty stomach will reduce pain, inflammation associated with elevated uric acid levels. 
  • Other herbs – Bahera, Vacha, Neem, Manjistha, Katuki, Daruhaldi.
  1. Panchakarma and Ayurvedic Detox

This helps to flush out toxins from the body and restores the disturbed equilibrium. It is important to eradicate the ama in your body so that your uric acid decreases. Ayurvedic massages also help to de-stress and remove toxins.

  1. Probiotics

The gut microbiome is responsible for breaking down about 30% of the body’s uric acid. Therefore, it is vital to keep the good bacteria flourishing. They will help to metabolize purines and break down uric acid.

Try the natural approach to balancing uric acid levels and prevent health hazards by following the above remedies.

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