What is Uric Acid, symptoms, causes and food to reduce uric acid

What is Uric Acid, symptoms, causes and food to reduce uric acid 

What is Uric Acid ? 

Uric acid is a natural body waste byproduct or chemical created when the substance  called purines break down which are found in many foods and drinks such as liver, shellfish, dried beans, peas, and alcohol. Also formed in the body when DNA is broken down. A high level of uric acid in the blood is also called hyperuricemia.

In our body most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys from there. Most of the uric acid leaves your body when you pee and when you poop. But if your body makes too much uric acid and your kidneys aren't working well, uric acid can build up in the blood because of this crystals of uric acid can form and collect in the joints. This causes painful inflammation. This condition is called gout.

Symptoms of gout include:

• Joint pain or soreness
• Swelling in a joints or red skin around a joint
• Swelling and pain in a big  ankle, toe or knee

Get tested :

Get tested if found symptoms mentioned above which is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand .Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, method of test etc. 

Results are given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). You may have hyperuricemia if your results are:

• Higher than 7 mg/dL if you’re a man
• Higher than 6 mg/dL if you’re a woman

Causes of high levels of uric acid : 

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Cancer
• Kidney disease
• Sarcoidosis

Foods That Reduce Uric Acid Levels :

• French bean and Apple juice
• Vitamin C enriched foods Lime juice etc
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks
• Drink coffee 
• Eat cherries
• Eat high fiber food