Uric acid is a metabolic product of purines in the human body. Purines can be metabolized in the body or produced by consuming foods high in purine content. Purines in the body eventually metabolize into uric acid, which can be excreted from the body through the kidneys.
High uric acid is a metabolic disorder in which the substance called purine in the body is disturbed, leading to an increase in uric acid in the blood, causing a metabolic disease known as hyperuricemia, also known as high uric acid.
Symptoms of high uric acid
Early symptoms of high uric acid in individuals are nonspecific and may not be prominently displayed. The body may not show any obvious discomfort, and it can only be detected through urine or blood tests in a medical setting.
During acute gout attacks: mainly characterized by sudden redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the joints, often occurring under conditions such as cold weather, intense physical activity, or a diet high in purines, causing severe joint pain within a short time.
Uric acid crystals not only deposit in the joints but also accumulate heavily in the kidneys, leading to the occurrence of acute and chronic uric acid nephropathy and urolithiasis. Moreover, when uric acid crystals block the renal tubules, it can easily lead to acute urinary tract obstruction, where patients may experience oliguria, anuria, acute renal failure, and can progress to uremia.
In men over middle age, sudden onset of redness, swelling, and pain in single joints like the big toe, the ankle, the knee, accompanied by elevated blood uric acid levels, might indicate a possibility of gout.
Is it bad to eat fish with high uric acid?
Academician Wang Wenshan, an 84-year-old scholar, is an authority in Endocrinology in China, with over 40 years of professional experience in metabolic disease research. Academician Wang once mentioned the curability of high uric acid in individuals.
Yet, when consuming fish, it is advisable to avoid deep-sea fish and opt for freshwater fish like carp, as freshwater fish have relatively lower purine content and higher protein content which is more beneficial for human health.
Furthermore, individuals with high uric acid levels need to refrain from drinking fish soup, as purines are soluble in water, and consuming only fish meat can reduce about 1/3 of purines.
Academician, 84 years old: Don’t let gout “haunt” you, be mindful of these 6 items
1. Animal offal
In daily life, some individuals are fond of various types of animal offal, such as pig liver, pig heart, pig intestines, etc. After special cooking, these foods are tasty, fulfilling appetites and have high nutritional value. However, most animal offal contains high levels of purines, which when consumed frequently can also lead to elevated uric acid levels. Hence, for health reasons, the intake of animal offal should be controlled.
2. Meat broth
Many middle-aged and elderly people consider meat broth a highly nutritious supplement. However, meat itself contains high purine levels, and since purines are highly soluble in water, the purine content in meat broth is quite high, with 100 grams of concentrated meat soup containing up to 500 milligrams of purines.
It’s better to consume less meat broth in daily life, as it does not have a substantial effect on calcium supplementation.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol has a high purine content, increasing uric acid levels in the body upon consumption. Excessive beer intake can also irritate the intestines and stomach, posing severe health risks. Therefore, individuals with high uric acid levels must abstain from alcohol.
Elevated uric acid levels can cause gout and even lead to kidney failure. Thus, it is crucial to make careful dietary choices in everyday life, consuming fewer high-purine foods.
4. Seafood
Seafood like shrimp and crab, high in purine content, are often referred to as a “gout feast.” Individuals with high uric acid levels, after consuming these, experience a rapid increase in uric acid levels, increasing the likelihood of developing gout.
5. Vegetables with high purine content
Most people believe that vegetables have low purine content and that the purines in plants are challenging for the body to absorb. However, cruciferous vegetables and fungi are high-purine vegetables, requiring attention from individuals.
6. Legumes
Common legumes we consume are also high-purine foods, such as soybean products, tofu, soy milk, etc., requiring controlled intake. Although plant purines are easily metabolized, excessive consumption can still affect health.
Moreover, legumes with very high purine content, like bean sprouts, especially mung bean sprouts, soybean sprouts, and germinated beans, should be avoided as they have higher purine levels, which are not favorable for uric acid control.
Who are the “experts” in uric acid reduction? Let’s find out
1. Allopurinol
Allopurinol can reduce blood uric acid levels by inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase in the liver, increasing adenosine deaminase activity in the blood serum to prevent gout formation. Long-term Allopurinol supplementation can dissolve gout stones, reduce uric acid levels, alleviate joint pain, and reverse gout symptoms.
2. Tomato
Tomatoes contain rich lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin C, etc., effectively preventing free radical damage to our cells, reducing the body’s self-made purine content. Tomatoes contain abundant vitamin P that can enhance blood vessel patency, decrease uric acid deposition in the blood and joints.
3. White radish
White radish can be consumed raw, stir-fried, or cooked into soups, and acts as an expert in uric acid reduction. Firstly, white radish is predominantly alkaline, which can interact with uric acid in the body to lower uric acid levels. Additionally, white radish accelerates the body’s water metabolism, eliminating excess uric acid to protect kidney function.
4. Cherry
Cherries indeed help lower uric acid levels, primarily due to the anthocyanins, flavonoids, and potassium present in cherries that promote uric acid excretion. These components aid in blood circulation, facilitate uric acid excretion, improve gout, and relieve discomfort caused by high uric acid in the joints.
If individuals with high uric acid levels are uncertain about which fruits are good for health and uric acid reduction, they can opt for cherries.
5. Loofah
Regular consumption of loofah can accelerate the body’s metabolism and reduce the excretion of harmful substances. Although dried loofah that has aged cannot be consumed, it can be soaked in water after drying and consumed, aiding in better elimination of harmful substances.
Dried loofah is also known as the “expert” in uric acid reduction. Regular ingestion as a water infusion can return uric acid levels to normal, improve gout conditions, and stabilize the body’s internal environment.
When uric acid levels are high, it is essential to pay close attention and not trigger gout recklessly. In everyday life, it is crucial to avoid high-purine foods, consume more alkaline foods, exercise appropriately, stay hydrated, help eliminate excess uric acid, and promote a healthier body!
