Purines are normally produced in the body and found in certain foods and drinks.
It is normal to have some uric acid in the blood.
The kidneys filter it, and it is excreted via urine.
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Gout causes pain, swelling, and redness or skin discoloration.
Lifestyle modifications can reduce your levels of uric acid.
Some research specifically highlights the benefits of bananas and cherries for lowering uric acid.
Drinking adequate amounts of water is important for diluting urine; it reduces the concentration of waste products.
You will want to drink enough fluids so that your urine is pale yellow in color.
The National Kidney Foundation suggests mixing lemon juice concentrate (4 ounces per day) with water.
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which may help toprevent uric acid stones.
The DASH Diet
Avoiding or limiting foods that are high in purinescan reduce the risk of gout.
However, this is not the only way to manage the condition.
Always check with a healthcare provider before taking herbs.
Medications may also be needed to reduce uric acid and manage pain associated with gout and uric acid stones.
Certain drugs raise serum uric acid levels by increasing uric acid reabsorption and/or decreasing uric acid secretion in gout.
Weight
A healthy body weight can help you prevent uric acid stones, like kidney stones.
Having excess weight is just one risk factor for kidney stones.
If you are having trouble with your weight, reach out to your healthcare provider.
How Long Before Uric Acid Levels Decrease?
Results are individualized and will vary from person to person.
If you are taking medication, your healthcare provider may want to retest your levels in a few months.
Ask your healthcare provider what you should expect.
Target Range With High Uric Acid Levels
Normal value ranges can vary slightly between laboratories.
Summary
Lowering uric acid levels is important for people with a history of gout or kidney stones.
To achieve your goal, you may need a combination of medicine and lifestyle modifications.
Making changes to your diet and exercise regimen can help.
Additionally, managing other conditions is important for lowering uric acid levels and overall health.
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