Introduction: According to the “2021 China High Uric Acid and Gout Trend White Paper,” there are currently approximately 178 million hyperuricemia patients in our country, and what is even more alarming is that more than 68% of these individuals are young people aged 18 to 35.
From hyperuricemia to gout, the number of cases continues to rise. Why is there an increasing number of hyperuricemia cases? How can we effectively control our personal uric acid levels?
Hyperuricemia is a chronic metabolic disease caused by purine substances in the body, leading to an increase in uric acid levels due to metabolic disorders.
Hyperuricemia generally refers to high uric acid levels in the blood. With the improvement of living standards, the prevalence of hyperuricemia has been increasing year by year and is gradually trending towards a younger population.
From a clinical perspective, the normal uric acid levels for male friends range from 149 to 416umol/L, while for female friends, the levels range from 89 to 357umol/L.
When uric acid levels exceed 416umol/L for males and 357umol/L for females, it indicates the presence of hyperuricemia.
Abnormal Lower Back Pain
When uric acid levels are consistently elevated, it can lead to gouty nephropathy or kidney stone problems, causing abnormal lower back pain.
Swollen Joints, Severe Pain
Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to the precipitation of urate crystals, depositing in the knee joints.
There may also be inflammation in the tissues surrounding the knee joints, potentially leading to gouty arthritis. Acutely, joint swelling and severe pain may occur.
Urination Abnormalities
Uric acid is a common acidic substance in the body that can irritate the urethra and cause discomfort.
High levels of uric acid can lead to abnormal urination, resulting not only in painful urination but also in cloudy urine.
The Purine content in lamb is very high, especially in lamb soup. Consuming lamb frequently can raise uric acid levels and trigger diseases like gout.
Therefore, for individuals with high uric acid levels, it is advisable to avoid consuming high-fat, high-purine foods like lamb regularly.
If uric acid levels are well-controlled, occasional consumption of lamb is acceptable. However, consistent overconsumption is not recommended, especially for those with already elevated uric acid levels experiencing gout without comprehensive treatment.
Apart from lamb, the following foods should also be avoided as they can contribute to elevated uric acid levels and potentially harm the kidneys.
Pickles
Some people enjoy pickled vegetables in their daily lives. While it can be appetizing and enhance meals, pickled vegetables are usually high in sodium, which can burden the kidneys and disrupt normal metabolism, leading to persistent uric acid elevation. To maintain kidney health, hyperuricemia patients should avoid pickled vegetables.
Animal Organs
Animal organs are commonly consumed today. For example, during alcohol consumption, many individuals prefer animal organs as appetizers.
Organs such as intestines, kidney fat, and liver are high-purine foods, with around 156 milligrams of purine per 100 grams of animal organs. For patients with hyperuricemia, regularly consuming animal organs can directly increase uric acid levels in the body, disrupt metabolism, inhibit timely uric acid excretion, and induce gout.
Seafood
Seafood is known for its high protein content, providing essential protein to the body and boosting immunity. However, seafood is also high in purines. Regularly eating seafood can elevate uric acid levels, exacerbating existing hyperuricemia issues and leading to complications or kidney damage.
High-Sugar Foods
Many people enjoy consuming high-sugar foods in daily life, especially women who indulge in desserts, candies, doughnuts, and cream cakes. While these sweet treats can uplift mood, hyperuricemia patients should limit their intake.
Excessive sugar intake can affect insulin levels, leading to elevated blood sugar and uric acid levels, posing health risks for hyperuricemia patients.
Holding Urine
The kidneys reabsorb urine, and habitual urine retention can lead to prolonged urine storage in the body.
Urine generally contains harmful substances and wastes expelled from the body. Prolonged storage in the bladder and kidneys can lead to kidney infections, compromising kidney health.
Substituting Water with Beverages
Water is essential for life, promoting overall health and sustaining bodily functions. While water may not have the most appealing taste, many individuals prefer flavorful beverages like milk tea, cola, and fruit juice.
However, these beverages often contain high levels of additives and sugar, contributing to obesity and kidney strain, affecting kidney health.
Misuse of Medications
Most people are familiar with the saying “medicine is a double-edged sword.” Once medications enter the body, they can potentially harm the kidneys.
Certain components in medications require the kidneys to detoxify and eliminate them to prevent adverse effects. To maintain kidney health, it is advisable not to misuse medications.
In our daily lives, many people believe that elevated uric acid levels lead to gout. However, not all hyperuricemia patients develop gout; only about 12% of them do. Many hyperuricemia patients do not experience gout.
Having high uric acid levels does not necessarily result in gout. While there is a connection between the two conditions, it is not an absolute correlation.
