High uric acid, known as “the disease of the wealthy,” used to mainly affect the royal family, but nowadays, many common people may also suffer from this disease.
According to incomplete statistics, there are as many as 130 million high uric acid patients in our country, with more than 100,000 gout patients. The main cause of high uric acid is the disorder of purine metabolism in the body. Excessive purine content can lead to the crystallization of uric acid, which then precipitates in joints, kidneys, and other parts, triggering the occurrence of diseases like gout and kidney failure.
Regardless of gender, if you experience 4 types of abnormalities during urination, it is advisable to get checked early to ensure uric acid levels are not “excessive.”
Abnormality 1: Increased night urination
Ordinarily, adults should not wake up more than twice during the night. If you need to use the restroom frequently at night, it indicates a disruption in the kidney’s ability to process water. If prostate disease is ruled out, it is highly likely due to high uric acid levels.
When uric acid reaches a certain level in the body, the kidneys’ function deteriorates gradually, leading to increased night urination.
Abnormality 2: Painful urination
After uric acid crystallizes, some small uric acid stones are excreted with urine, leading to painful urination. If the uric acid stones are too large, they can accumulate in the kidneys, causing kidney stones, renal colic, urinary tract infections, urgency to urinate, frequent urination, and even back pain symptoms.
Abnormality 3: Urinary tract obstruction, oliguria, or anuria
After uric acid crystallizes, it deposits in the renal tubules, renal pelvis, and ureters, causing urinary tract obstruction. This can lead to oliguria or anuria. If not promptly treated, this condition can rapidly progress to acute kidney failure, potentially resulting in death.
Abnormality 4: Abnormal urine color
Urine color is also a marker for kidney damage. Prolonged high uric acid levels in the body can affect the kidneys, leading to proteinuria. Pay attention to changes in urine color, such as resembling the color of meat washing water or strong tea.
Be vigilant, as it could indicate kidney damage and seek medical attention early.
For individuals with high uric acid levels, it is advisable to consume the following three types of foods sparingly:
1. Alcohol
Alcohol consumption promotes the production of purines in the body, leading to elevated uric acid levels. Additionally, alcohol can cause the body to secrete an excess of lactic acid, which inhibits uric acid excretion.
Furthermore, the vitamin B1 in beer stimulates purine metabolism in the body, contributing to increased uric acid levels. Therefore, individuals with high uric acid levels should limit alcohol consumption as much as possible.
2. Meat
Meat contains high levels of purines but can still be consumed in moderation. The purine content in animal meat is inversely proportional to its volume.
For example: Chicken > Pork > Lamb > Beef, in descending order. Therefore, it is wise to consume less chicken and chicken soup.
3. Fruit juices, beverages, and some fruits
These foods contain high levels of fructose, which can be converted into substrates for purine synthesis in the body, increasing uric acid levels and triggering gout attacks. Additionally, consuming large amounts of fructose can lead to insulin resistance in the body, indirectly reducing the kidney’s ability to excrete uric acid.
Therefore, fruits with high sugar content like sugarcane and grapes should be consumed sparingly, and juicing should be avoided.
Individuals with high uric acid levels commonly engage in three activities to lower uric acid and prevent gout:
First: Drink more water
Dehydration is a significant factor contributing to elevated uric acid levels in the body. It is crucial not to wait until feeling thirsty to drink water, as it signifies severe dehydration.
Under normal circumstances, adults should consume between 1500ml-1700ml of water daily. However, for individuals with high uric acid levels, daily water intake should be around 2000ml. Increased water consumption can dilute uric acid, reduce the formation of uric acid salt crystals in the body, and prevent gout attacks.
Second: Exercise and maintain a healthy weight
Physical inactivity slows down the body’s metabolism and easily leads to obesity, which inhibits insulin secretion in the body, limits purine excretion, and hampers uric acid metabolism. Therefore, regular exercise can enhance metabolism, accelerate uric acid excretion in the body. Additionally, following a 3+7 routine, where one concentrates on walking 3000 steps within a timeframe and accumulates a total of 7000 steps in a day, can be beneficial.
Third: Maintain a good daily routine
Staying up late can disrupt the body’s endocrine system, causing difficulties in purine substance metabolism. This results in the body’s inability to expel uric acid promptly. Therefore, ensuring a good dietary habit, adhering to an early sleep schedule, especially during cold weather, and adequate warmth at night is essential. Otherwise, it may affect uric acid solubility and excretion, leading to uric acid salt crystals deposition in joints and kidneys. Lowering uric acid levels often starts with strengthening the spleen.
The saying goes, “The kidney is the foundation of innate vitality, and the spleen is the foundation of acquired vitality”. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen is vital for overall health. A weak spleen affects metabolism adversely, making individuals more susceptible to metabolic disorders. High uric acid and gout are typical metabolic disorders, where uric acid metabolism issues lead to its accumulation in the body over time, culminating in high uric acid levels and eventually gout.
Gout, aside from excruciating pain, can lead to equally severe complications like deforming tophi, gouty nephropathy, and gout-induced uremia.
By strengthening the spleen to lower uric acid levels, we address the root cause, ensuring a more stable outcome. A strong spleen enhances metabolism, resolving high uric acid without external intervention.
Signs that indicate high uric acid in a body weakened by spleen deficiency include:
1. Severe headache, dizziness, and discomfort
2. Dull skin, oily complexion, acne, and pigmentation
3. Subcutaneous edema and blistering
4. Aching and weightiness in limbs, cold hands, and feet
5. Intestinal gas, sticky or loose stools
6. Joint pains and stiffness, hindering movement
7. Excessive sweating and athlete’s foot
To strengthen the spleen and reduce uric acid levels, what can be done?
In addition to maintaining a regular and light diet, engaging in physical activities, adhering to a good daily routine, as outlined above, consider consuming Jiang Ling Orange Bean Tea, which comprises Chinese yam, coix seed, poria cocos, adzuki beans, dried ginger, balloon flower root, jujube, hyacinth bean, monk fruit, all powdered after preparation, to be used as a tea substitute.
