By Dr. Noel Menezes
M.D
Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry
Goa Medical College

Uric acid is a normal body waste product produced by the breakdown of purines. Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds found in the cells of the body, including our DNA. They are also found in many foods such as liver, shellfish, and alcoholic drinks, primarily beer.

When purines are broken down to Uric acid in the blood, the body gets rid of it when you urinate. But if your body makes too much Uric acid, or if your kidneys aren’t working well, Uric acid can build up in the blood. Uric acid levels can also increase when you eat too many high-purine foods or take medicines like diuretics, aspirin, and niacin. Then crystals of Uric acid can form and collect in the joints. This causes painful inflammation leading to a condition called “Gout” which is characterized by inflammation of the joints due to the formation of Uric acid crystals (tophi) in the joints (synovial fluid).

Excess Uric acid can also be deposited in tissues such as the kidneys, leading to kidney stones or kidney failure.

 

When To Get Tested

When you have joint pain or other symptoms that your healthcare practitioner suspects may be due to Gout; when you have had or are going to have certain chemotherapy or radiation therapies for cancer; when you have recurrent kidney stones; when you have gout or are otherwise at risk for kidney stone formation.

 

Normal Reference values for Serum Uric acid

Males – 3 to 7 mg/dl

Females – 3 to 6 mg/dl

 

Natural Ways to Reduce Uric acid in the Body (Preventive measures)

 

• Limit purine-rich foods: Avoid or reduce your intake of foods such as:
• Organ meats
• Pork and Beef
• Fish and Shellfish
• Mutton
• Cauliflower
• Green peas
• Dried beans
• Mushrooms
• Spinach

 

• Drink more water: Drinking plenty of fluids helps your kidneys flush out Uric acid faster.
• Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can make you more dehydrated. It can also trigger high Uric acid levels. This happens because your kidneys must first filter out products that occur in the blood due to alcohol instead of Uric acid and other wastes.

 

 

• Add more fiber to your diet: Eating more fiber will help your body get rid of Uric acid.
• Reduce stress: Stress, poor sleeping habits, and too little exercise can increase inflammation. Inflammation may set off a high Uric acid level.
• Check your medications and supplements: Some medications and supplements can also cause Uric acid to build up in the blood. These include:
• Aspirin
• Vitamin B-3 (niacin)
• Diuretics
• Immune-suppressing drugs
• Chemotherapy drugs

Treatment

The drugs Allopurinol and Febustat are used regularly to treat high Uric acid levels. NSAIDS (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) like Ibuprofen, Diclofenac Sodium, Dicolfenac Potassium etc. are used to treat the pain and inflammation associated with Gout.