Did your doctor just tell you that the reason why your big toe is swollen and achy is that you are suffering from what’s referred to as gout?
Then don’t stop reading now. This article will teach you some very simple tricks on how to have your uric acid lowered, which is vital for the prevention and also elimination of gout.
Also, feel free to share this article on your different social media sites later on before you go so that your family members and friends who are also suffering from gout may be able to give the tips found below a try, too.
But first, let’s discuss the reason why the levels of uric acid in the body increase.
Uric acid is actually the byproduct of the digestion of foods and drinks that contain purines. Some of those that are known to have high purine content are:
- Certain types of meat such as organ meats and bacon
- Some types of fish like sardines, trout and herring
- Various shellfish such as mussels and scallops
- Dried beans
- All kinds of alcoholic beverages
Your body can actually eliminate uric acid by means of your kidneys. However, in some instances the body has a difficult time eliminating excess uric acid, such as when a person consumes lots and lots of purine-rich foods and drinks.
The problem with having too much uric acid within is that it can actually crystallize in the joints such as the joint at the base of the big toe — this is basically how gout comes into being.
Needless to say, it’s of utmost important to lower your uric acid if you’re prone to gout or suffering from it currently.
Here are some really easy tricks on getting your uric acid levels lowered:
Limit Intake of Purine-Rich Foods and Drinks
Definitely, it’s a must for you to start considerably minimizing your consumption of foods that are high in purines as they are notorious for causing high uric acid levels in the body.
There is really no need for you to steer clear of them — what you need to do is to refrain from consuming them in excessive amounts. Always remember that moderation is key to the attainment and maintenance of optimum health.
Keep Your Body Hydrated Very Well
Earlier, it was mentioned that excess uric acid is removed from the body with the help of your kidneys. It’s for this reason exactly why it is a good idea for you to drink plenty of water — the more you pee, the more uric acid is removed.
The goal is for you to consume about 2 liters of water per day. If you are living in a tropical area or you tend to sweat a lot because you are very active physically or you’re simply sweaty, drink a little more water per day.
Reduce Your Stress Levels
We all know that there are so many complications associated with chronic stress — they can range anywhere from anxiety to cardiovascular disease. Are you aware that being stressed all the time can also lead to gout?
Scientists confirm that inflammation that lots of stress can cause is something that can trigger a dramatic increase in the levels of uric acid in your body.
Attain and Maintain an Ideal Weight
Just like stress, being obese or overweight can also cause inflammation to strike within. It goes without saying that having lots of unnecessary pounds can cause an elevation in your uric acid levels, thus leaving you with gout.
By the way, obesity also causes a problem with your insulin levels, and that’s why it is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Studies say that having lots of insulin can in fact cause an increase in uric acid.
