Last weekend, Xiao Lan finally ended her nearly decade-long relationship and registered her marriage with her boyfriend! This should have been a joyous occasion, but Xiao Lan looked deeply troubled. During her pre-marital medical checkup, the doctor informed her that her uric acid levels were dangerously high. Before she could even celebrate, her happiness was dashed.
Uric acid is the final product formed when nucleotides in the body break down into purines, followed by hydrolysis, deamination, and oxidation. The human body has a limited capacity to accommodate uric acid, maintaining a balance between daily production and excretion.
However, an unhealthy diet, excessive nutrient intake, or high-purine foods can lead to overproduction of uric acid. This overwhelms the body's excretion mechanisms, preventing the kidneys from eliminating it efficiently. Consequently, uric acid accumulates in the bloodstream, damaging organs and potentially causing hypertension, gout, or kidney failure.
Normal uric acid levels differ between men and women. For men, the normal range is 178–416 μmol/L, while for women it is 148–357 μmol/L.
Hyperuricemia is diagnosed when serum uric acid exceeds 420 μmol/L (7.0 mg/dL) in men or 360 μmol/L (6.0 mg/dL) in women.
How can you determine if your uric acid levels are elevated? Look for these three signs:
1. Lower limb edema and pain. Elevated uric acid reduces kidney efficiency in water metabolism. Large amounts of uric acid crystals deposit in joint cavities, causing abnormal swelling in calves and ankles and triggering joint pain.Over time, this can also lead to acute or chronic uric acid nephropathy and urolithiasis. 3. Elevated blood sugar and blood pressure. Excess urate salts can damage pancreatic beta cells and impair vascular vasoconstriction/vasodilation functions, causing abnormal increases in blood sugar and blood pressure. High uric acid affects the entire body. If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. So, is medication always necessary for hyperuricemia?Some individuals, upon discovering elevated uric acid during a physical exam, insist that doctors prescribe medication.
In reality, medication is not a universal solution. Most cases of hyperuricemia stem from poor diet and lack of exercise. After a period of dietary and exercise adjustments, uric acid levels often return to normal ranges.
Medication is truly necessary for hyperuricemia in the following situations:
Individuals whose uric acid levels remain above 520 μmol/L after repeated testing;
Individuals with uric acid levels above 420 μmol/L who have cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, or are at high risk for such conditions;
Individuals with uric acid levels between 420-520 μmol/L whose levels remain elevated after 6 months of dietary and exercise adjustments.
The first step for individuals with high uric acid is to adopt lifestyle modifications, including dietary and exercise adjustments. Dietary changes should avoid shellfish such as clams, oysters, and lobster, as well as high-purine foods like organ meats, beef broth, and lamb broth.
Additionally, limit consumption of alcoholic beverages and sugary drinks.Simultaneously, focus on balanced nutrition, dietary diversity, and light meals. Daily intake should include 300ml of skim milk, 1 egg, 500g of fresh vegetables, and 2000ml of plain water. Cultivate healthy eating habits such as regular mealtimes and smaller, more frequent meals.
The most effective approach to lowering uric acid is to enhance its excretion.Dr. Cai Xiaoyan, Director of the Rheumatology and Immunology Department at Guangzhou First People's Hospital, notes that soy products like tofu pudding, tofu, and soy milk can compensate for protein deficiencies caused by limiting red meat intake. They help lower blood uric acid levels and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Additionally, vegetables such as leeks, cauliflower, pea shoots, lentils, and mushrooms can alkalize urine, promote uric acid excretion, and lower blood uric acid levels.Specifically, the following foods also aid in lowering uric acid:
Diuretic vegetables like celery and daikon radish. Celery is rich in potassium ions and has diuretic properties, preventing uric acid buildup in the body and reducing joint damage caused by increased uric acid crystals. Daikon radish is packed with vitamins, alkalizing urine, regulating the body's acid-base balance, and promoting rapid uric acid excretion.
Soybeans, mung beans, and soy products like soy milk and tofu skin are rich in dietary fiber. This fiber enhances gastrointestinal absorption, promotes the excretion of excess uric acid from the body, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
Kidney-tonifying foods like black beans, Chinese yam, and goji berries are also beneficial. Since urine is excreted through the kidneys, proper kidney function is essential for effective excretion. Therefore, consuming kidney-tonifying foods can help lower uric acid levels.
As living standards rise, the number of people with high uric acid levels continues to grow, severely impacting health. Currently, most cases of hyperuricemia stem from neglecting daily habits and dietary practices.
Therefore, adopting a healthy lifestyle is crucial for preventing hyperuricemia. After reading this article, do you know how to avoid high uric acid?