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What Helps Rid the Body of Inflammatory Uric Acid?

Uric acid causes an inflammatory response in your body. In some people, too much uric acid in their diet or ineffective elimination of uric acid by their kidneys can lead to health problems. Certain behavior changes can help.

  1. Identification

    • Uric acid is a waste material produced when your body breaks down substances in food called purines. Uric acid normally dissolves in blood and passes through your kidneys, and is eliminated through urine.

    Effects

    • Excess uric acid in your blood can cause gout, a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals build up in your joints. Uric acid crystals also can result in kidney stones.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Reducing dietary purines can reduce uric acid levels in your blood. Foods high in purines include meat, especially organ meat. Avoid legumes as well. Alcohol that contains yeast, such as beer, can raise uric acid levels, and so can yeast breads.

    Water

    • Drink at least six cups of water daily to help your kidneys flush away uric acid.

    Drug Therapy

    • Certain drugs increase excretion of uric acid through urine, including probenecid and sulfinpyrazone. Allopurinol blocks production of uric acid in your body, and is a better choice for people with kidney disorders or kidney stones caused by uric acid.

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