## Fan Mail ## Zhang Wei (alias) is a diabetic with a 30-year history of drinking alcohol and eating meat. He is addicted to alcohol, never refuses a meal, and can always be seen toasting at gatherings regardless of the season. However, recently, he has been frequently awakened by foot pain in the middle of the night, causing concern to his son Xiao Zhang. Xiao Zhang decided not to turn a blind eye to his father’s indulgence anymore and insisted on taking Zhang Wei to the hospital for a check-up. At the hospital, the test results showed that Zhang Wei’s uric acid level was as high as 736, far exceeding the normal range.
“You need to understand that having such high uric acid levels poses a comprehensive danger to the body,” the doctor explained sternly. “Especially for a diabetic like your father, it’s a double jeopardy, very dangerous.”
It seemed that Zhang Wei did not take the doctor’s words to heart and retorted, “I’ve been living like this for so many years, it’s just a slightly high uric acid level, I’ll just attend fewer banquets.”
The doctor patiently responded, “It’s not as simple as just ‘eating less’. High uric acid levels are not solely caused by diet; other lifestyle habits also need attention. For example, lack of exercise, frequent late nights, and high stress can all lead to elevated uric acid levels. If left uncontrolled, your kidneys won’t be able to handle it and could eventually lead to kidney failure.”
Xiao Zhang looked worryingly at his father. He knew that changing Zhang Wei’s long-formed habits wouldn’t be easy, but for his father’s health, he had to try. He requested Dr. Li Qiang to provide a comprehensive plan for improving lifestyle as a starting point to help his father reshape his health.
How can uric acid levels be lowered?
## Doctor’s Reply ## High uric acid is a common health issue that tends to draw people’s attention, as it is associated with gout and kidney problems. Some believe that high uric acid is mainly caused by diet, but in reality, the formation of high uric acid and kidney health is not only related to diet but also influenced by lifestyle habits. This article will discuss the issue of high uric acid, emphasizing that it’s not just a dietary issue but closely related to lifestyle habits, providing “more of these, less of those” health advice for readers who want to avoid kidney failure.
1. Why Does High Uric Acid Occur?
High uric acid is a metabolite, a byproduct of the body’s metabolism of purines. It mainly exists in the blood, and normally, the kidneys excrete excess uric acid from the body.
High uric acid is closely related to gout, which is a joint disease characterized by sudden joint pain and inflammation, usually occurring in the big toe. High uric acid is also associated with uric acid stones, kidney problems (such as glomerulonephritis), and diseases like high blood pressure. Understanding the formation and impact of high uric acid is crucial for maintaining health.
2. Causes of High Uric Acid
Dietary Factors
Diet is a significant factor in the formation of high uric acid. Foods high in purines, such as red meat, offal, seafood, and alcohol, can increase uric acid production. A high-sugar diet and excessive intake of beverages, especially those containing high fructose corn syrup, are also related to high uric acid levels. Some high uric acid patients may need to restrict the intake of these foods and beverages.
Genetic Factors
Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of high uric acid. Some individuals may have a naturally poor ability to metabolize purines, leading to excessive uric acid production and increasing the risk of high uric acid. If there is a family history of high uric acid or gout, an individual’s risk of high uric acid may be elevated.
Medications and Diseases
Some medications, such as diuretics, aspirin, and certain chemotherapy drugs, may also lead to elevated uric acid levels. Some diseases, such as hypothyroidism, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, are also related to high uric acid. When evaluating patients with high uric acid, doctors need to consider the patient’s medication use and medical history.
3. Relationship Between High Uric Acid and Kidney Health
High uric acid is not only the fundamental cause of gout and joint problems but also closely related to kidney health. The kidneys are the most important organs in the body for excreting uric acid, with the glomeruli playing a critical role in filtering uric acid from the blood. When uric acid excretion is disrupted, it can accumulate in the kidneys, increasing the risk of uric acid stones and leading to kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis.
Prolonged high uric acid levels can also lead to the development of chronic kidney disease. High uric acid exerts a toxic effect on renal tubular cells, which may cause interstitial nephropathy and eventually lead to chronic kidney damage. High uric acid not only harms joint health but also poses a potential threat to kidney health.
4. How to Reduce High Uric Acid Levels
Now that we know high uric acid is not only a dietary issue but also related to genetics, medications, and diseases, with potential impact on kidney health, how can we lower high uric acid levels and reduce associated health risks? Here are some methods:
Less Purine Intake
Diet is key to controlling high uric acid. Reduce the intake of high purine foods, including red meat, offal, seafood, and alcohol.
Less Sugar
Limit the consumption of high-sugar foods and beverages, especially those containing high fructose corn syrup. Increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and strawberries, can help lower uric acid levels.
Less Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol intake is directly related to high uric acid. Reducing or avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can lower the risk of high uric acid. Men are advised not to exceed two drinks per day, and women should not exceed one drink per day.
Medication Control
Some medications can affect uric acid levels, so if you are taking medication, especially diuretics and chemotherapy drugs, consult your doctor to understand their impact on uric acid levels and take appropriate measures.
5. Lifestyle Habits and High Uric Acid
In addition to dietary factors, lifestyle habits also play a crucial role in high uric acid. Here are some lifestyle suggestions that can help reduce the risk of high uric acid:
Drink More Water
Hydration helps dilute uric acid in urine and promotes its excretion. Drinking more water is one simple way to lower high uric acid levels.
Exercise More
Moderate physical exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, improve blood circulation, and reduce the risk of high uric acid.
Stress Management
Long-term stress and anxiety may lead to elevated uric acid levels in the body, so learning to cope with stress and maintaining psychological well-being are essential.
High uric acid is influenced by various factors, not just diet. Understanding the causes and impacts of high uric acid is crucial for maintaining health. By controlling diet, maintaining a proper weight, quitting smoking, managing blood pressure and blood sugar, engaging in regular exercise, and stress management, it’s possible to effectively reduce the risk of high uric acid. The ultimate goal is not only to prevent gout and joint issues but also to protect kidney health and prevent kidney failure.
#Men’s Health Guide#
