Home Remedy for Uric Acid

Excessive amounts of uric acid in the blood, which is a condition known as hyperuricemia, can be incredibly painful. It develops when the uric acid cannot be excreted by the kidneys or if too much is being produced, leading to the crystallization of the acid and resulting in a variety of possible conditions, such as gout, kidney stones and kidney disease. Though medical treatment is typically necessary, a number of ways exist to treat the condition at home.

Cause

• High levels of uric acid in the bloodstream can be the result of a variety of external factors. According to the website WhatHealth, these can include certain medications, such as diuretics and the drugs used in chemotherapy; being obese; high blood pressure or other conditions related to the heart, such as heart disease; a genetic predisposition to gout; and frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol or foods rich in purines, the substance that breaks down into uric acid within the body. Purines come in two types: those found within the cells of humans (endogenous) and those found in foods (exogenous). If you feel any of the symptoms associated with high levels of uric acid, such as severe joint pain, consult your doctor immediately.

Home Treatment

• Getting rid of the high levels of uric acid in your blood or, conversely, preventing it from building up even more can be accomplished from home. According to the website HealthCentral, hyperuricemia that does not present with symptoms does not necessarily require any treatment, as it is not common for it to lead to gout or other associated conditions. You can, however, still take steps to prevent it from occurring.

  The first is to decrease the amount of food you eat that contains high levels of purines, specifically meats high in protein. According to the Mayo Clinic website, you should not consume more than five to six servings of lean meat, whether of poultry, fish or otherwise, per day. Foods designated "organ meats," such as liver and kidneys, are exceptionally high in purines and should be avoided entirely. Also limit or completely eliminate the amount of alcohol you drink, which prevents uric acid from being easily eliminated from the body. Instead, drink plenty of water, which can lead to the dilution of the uric acid and help the kidneys expel it more efficiently.