How to Decrease Uric Acid

Purine is a substance that is found in the body and in the foods that we eat. When purines break down, they produce a waste product called uric acid. Under normal circumstances, uric acid harmlessly passes through the body and is eventually eliminated when we urinate; however, uric acid can be dangerous when it appears in high levels, and, according to the Mayo Clinic, it is often a precursor to high blood pressure and other conditions such as kidney disease. These high levels of uric acid can result in gout, kidney stones and even kidney failure. If you have been tested as having high uric acid, take immediate measures to decrease it.

Instructions

• 1

  Avoid foods that are high in purines. Because purines are found mainly in animal protein, avoid eating high protein foods such as organ meats, game meats, sardines, and scallops. Eat no more than six ounces of lean meat, fish and poultry a day. Consume foods that are low in purines instead, such as tofu, eggs, low-fat cheese, and one percent milk.

• 2

  Limit your alcohol intake. If you have high levels of uric acid, it is best to discontinue drinking alcohol entirely to help lower uric acid levels.

• 3

  Lose weight if you are overweight. Bring yourself to a healthy weight slowly instead of losing weight quickly. Avoid crash diets that are very low in calories to prevent an acute attack of gout. Do not follow diets that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

• 4

  Drink plenty of water daily. Try to consume a minimum of two quarts each day. Drink a glass of water before meals and a glass of water after--especially if the foods that you have consumed are mid- to high-purine foods.

• 5

  See your doctor about taking medications if the above methods do not lower your uric acid levels. Depending on the amount of uric acid found in your urine, you may be prescribed a medication such as probenecid, which helps your kidneys eliminate uric acid, or allopurinol which blocks the production of uric acid in your body. Medication to lower uric acid is often given if you have been diagnosed with gout, suffer multiple gout attacks or have developed tophi or kidney stones.