Urinary acid, a metabolic product of purine breakdown in the human body, is essentially the “waste” generated after digestion and absorption in the body.
This “waste” is metabolized in the kidneys and excreted through urine. If the uric acid content in the body exceeds what the kidneys can handle, it can lead to the occurrence of hyperuricemia, where a large amount of uric acid enters the bloodstream.
Many people, upon discovering elevated uric acid levels, may not worry much if they have no symptoms, not realizing that elevated uric acid can affect all organs in the body.
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High uric acid levels can harm the entire body.
Joint damage: Uric acid is a metabolite of purine. When uric acid levels are too high, uric acid salt crystals can easily deposit in the joints and surrounding tissues, leading to gouty arthritis.
Gout patients often experience symptoms such as joint redness, swelling, pain, fever, and in severe cases, it may affect walking. Recurrent gout attacks may also cause joint deformities and functional impairments.
Kidney damage: Uric acid is mainly excreted through the kidneys. If uric acid levels continue to rise, uric acid salt crystals may deposit in the kidneys, leading to uric acid nephropathy.
Long-term high uric acid levels may also cause chronic interstitial nephritis, subsequently resulting in chronic kidney function impairment. Moreover, uric acid salt crystals may also form urinary tract stones, causing symptoms like painful urination and hematuria.
Metabolic disorders: Hyperuricemia is closely related to various metabolic syndromes like diabetes and obesity. High uric acid levels may worsen insulin resistance, trigger and exacerbate glucose metabolism disorders, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes. Additionally, high uric acid levels can also affect lipid metabolism, increasing the risk of obesity.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease: High uric acid is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High uric acid may stimulate and damage blood vessel walls, making blood pressure difficult to control. It may also exacerbate the degree of vascular lesions in coronary heart disease patients, increasing the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Other system effects: High uric acid may adversely affect the endocrine system, nervous system, and other systems. For example, high uric acid may affect insulin secretion and function, leading to abnormal glucose metabolism, and may also affect normal nerve cell function, increasing the risk of neurological diseases.
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Can’t gout patients eat beef?
First and foremost, to clarify, gout, manifested by abnormally high uric acid concentration in the blood, is often closely related to purine metabolism disorder. Beef, as a common type of meat, indeed contains a certain amount of purine substances.
However, imposing an absolute ban like “cannot eat” on beef may be biased. In dietary management, the emphasis is on “moderation” and “balance.”
For gout patients, consuming beef in moderation, along with a variety of vegetables, low-sugar fruits, and whole grains with low purine content, not only meets the body’s needs for protein, iron, and various trace elements, but also promotes uric acid excretion through dietary fiber intake, thereby assisting in controlling uric acid levels.
Moreover, cooking methods are also crucial. Avoiding high-oil, high-salt, high-sugar seasonings and cooking methods like frying, pickling, and opting for healthier cooking methods such as steaming and stewing can significantly reduce the purine content in food and lighten the burden on uric acid metabolism.
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Doctor: For better health, these 4 foods can be eaten regularly
Cherries:
Cherries are low-purine fruits that can be consumed in moderation by gout patients. Cherries contain a special compound called anthocyanins, which can enhance the kidney’s filtration of uric acid and inhibit its reabsorption by the renal tubules, aiding in uric acid excretion from the body.
However, it’s essential to note that cherries have a relatively high sugar content. If gout patients also have diabetes, excessive cherry intake may lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, gout patients should consume cherries in moderation and control their intake.
Leafy green vegetables:
Leafy green vegetables like cabbage, celery, leeks, and oilseed rape are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, with low purine content.
Gout patients can appropriately consume leafy green vegetables, which not only supply the body with necessary nutrients but also help promote uric acid excretion.
However, it’s advisable to avoid consuming excessively processed leafy green vegetables, such as fried or pickled varieties, to prevent increased purine intake.
Low-fat dairy products:
Low-fat dairy products such as low-fat milk and yogurt are rich in calcium and protein, with low fat content. These dairy products help lower body uric acid levels.
Furthermore, the whey acid, casein, and lactalbumin in dairy products also aid in uric acid excretion. Gout patients can moderately consume low-fat dairy products but should opt for unsweetened or low-sugar products to avoid excessive sugar intake affecting uric acid metabolism.
Whole grains:
Whole grains such as oats, buckwheat, and millet are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, with low purine content. These whole grain foods assist in controlling blood sugar and uric acid levels. Gout patients can consume whole grain foods in moderation to improve gut health and reduce uric acid levels.
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4 methods to reduce high uric acid
Remember the foods to avoid:
Gout patients should avoid consuming high-purine foods like seafood (especially shellfish), animal offal (such as liver, kidneys), rich broths, meats (red and white), beer, legumes, and seeds. These foods can increase uric acid production in the body or affect uric acid excretion, exacerbating symptoms of high uric acid.
Stay well-hydrated, but limit sugar and alcohol intake:
Drinking plenty of water helps speed up the body’s metabolism and promotes uric acid excretion. It’s recommended for gout patients to maintain adequate fluid intake every day but avoid consuming sugary drinks and alcohol. Sugary drinks increase sugar and calorie intake, while alcohol disrupts uric acid metabolism, leading to elevated uric acid levels.
Maintain a balanced diet and control calorie intake:
A balanced diet forms the basis of health, and gout patients are no exception. Ensuring the diet includes sufficient carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals but also controlling total calorie intake to prevent weight gain and metabolic abnormalities.
Additionally, adding foods rich in dietary fiber, such as leafy green vegetables and whole grains in moderation, helps promote gut health and uric acid excretion.
Enhance physical activity to promote uric acid excretion:
Moderate exercise accelerates the body’s metabolism, aiding in uric acid excretion. Recommended types of exercise include skipping, running, playing shuttlecock, which increase the body’s metabolic rate, promoting uric acid excretion. However, during acute episodes, avoid weight-bearing activities, long periods of standing, or walking and prioritize rest.
