High uric acid doesn’t attract as much attention as high blood pressure. Everyone knows that high blood pressure can be life-threatening and efforts should be made to lower it, but the consequences of high uric acid are not widely known.
Because high uric acid often presents no symptoms, it is not taken seriously. Many people wonder why they have high uric acid levels without any discomfort. Do they need treatment if there are no symptoms? Why treat something that doesn’t cause pain? In reality, the consequences of high uric acid can be much more agonizing than high blood pressure.
Individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia should not take it lightly, as high uric acid levels can lead to the following diseases:
â‘ Gout
When uric acid levels reach a certain point, the first manifestation is typically an acute gout attack, which can progress to chronic gout and eventually result in the formation of gout stones. Gout attacks are extremely painful and can be described as torture, bringing even grown men to tears.
â‘¡ Impaired kidney function
Since most uric acid is excreted through the kidneys, high concentrations or excessive retention can adversely affect normal kidney function. Initially, there may be no noticeable symptoms, but over time, it can lead to the formation of kidney stones, kidney necrosis, and malignant conditions such as kidney hydrops.
Elevated uric acid levels manifest in different ways at different stages.
â‘ Asymptomatic hyperuricemia – Elevated blood uric acid levels can be detected through blood tests without clinical symptoms such as arthritis, uric acid stones, or kidney stones.
â‘¡ Acute uric acid arthritis – Can occur throughout the year, with higher incidence in spring and autumn. Factors such as local joint injuries, overeating, excessive fatigue, exposure to damp and cold, certain medications, infections, and surgeries can trigger acute attacks. These factors can cause supersaturated uric acid in the body to form needle-shaped crystal deposits in the joint synovial fluid, which are ingested by white blood cells as foreign bodies, leading to acute attacks.
â‘¢ Gouty arthritis – Typically affects joints such as the big toe, ankle, and knee. In chronic gout patients, attacks may occur in finger joints or even soft tissue areas like earlobes. Acute gout attacks present with redness, swelling, heat, and intense pain, often occurring at night and causing sudden awakening. Initially, gout attacks are more common in the lower limbs and can also lead to kidney damage.
If these symptoms occur, prompt medical treatment is necessary, along with attention to diet. The following foods are known for their ability to lower uric acid levels:
Cat’s claw has traditionally been used to alleviate swelling and pain associated with gout. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve discomfort, easing joint and muscle pain symptoms.
Corn silk is also an alkaline food known to lower uric acid levels. Richer in nutrients than corn, corn silk can increase the body’s alkaline reserves, which is crucial in reducing the harm caused by high uric acid levels.
Corn silk has diuretic properties and its consumption over time can help boost metabolism, eliminate acidic toxins from the body, reduce the body’s acidity, and lower uric acid levels. Although pomegranate is slightly acidic in taste, it is alkaline in nature and can help in regulating the body’s acid-alkaline balance, reducing uric acid levels. Therefore, individuals with high uric acid levels should consider its benefits.
Pomegranate is rich in nutrients, especially protein and vitamins, and contains more iron than other fruits. Drinking pomegranate-infused water daily can lower uric acid, slow down aging, and provide essential nutrients to the body.
Here is a traditional Chinese homemade uric acid-lowering tea recipe, Dandelion Lily Tea.
Dandelion Lily Tea – Lowers uric acid, prevents gout
Ingredients: Dandelion roots, Lily roots
Method:
1. Wash the dandelion roots, cut them into pieces, let them partially dry, then fry them to make tea;
2. Wash the lily roots, dice them, then dry and fry them to make tea;
3. Mix the fried dandelion roots and lily roots in a 1:1 ratio, steep in water daily, and consume.
Benefits: Lowers uric acid, prevents gout, eases gout attacks, and also helps reduce blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood sugar. It supports liver detoxification, prevents alcoholic liver damage.
Recommended for: Individuals with high uric acid, high blood lipids, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.
