How to Prevent Uric Acid

Gout is an inflammation of the joints caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. Some of the symptoms of gout include sharp, sudden pains in your joints and limbs. While preventing uric acid isn't possible, you can reduce the amount of foods that cause high amounts of uric acid to be produced by adjusting your current diet. Certain foods such as sweet breads, asparagus, anchovies, red meat and seafood are high in uric acid. Speak to your dietitian if you are unsure of current foods you are consuming, or if your symptoms of gout worsen over time.

Things You'll Need

• Whole-grain breads and pasta
• Non-fat or low-fat dairy

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Instructions

• 1

  Reduce red meat and seafood consumption. Red meat and seafood contain high amounts of purine, which is broken down into uric acid and causes gout. Switch your red meats to poultry to avoid high levels of purine, and be sure to remove the skin from chicken to avoid high levels of saturated fat. Seafood is healthy because it is a rich source of protein, but has high amounts of purine. Take vitamin supplements to receive your recommended daily amount of protein to replace fish intake.

• 2

  Increase complex carbohydrate consumption and low-fat dairy consumption. Complex carbohydrates found in whole-grain bread and pastas contain low levels of purine, which means less uric acid production. Complex carbohydrates can also be found in beans, lentils, peas, corn and potatoes. Low-fat and non-fat dairy consumption can also reduce the risk of gout, and is also a source of calcium and protein.

• 3

  Reduce alcohol intake. Alcohol, especially beer, contributes to the production of high amounts of uric acid, which leads to hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood. According to Medicinenet.com, alcohol consumption leads to dehydration, which causes uric acid crystals to form in the joints.