How to Lower Uric Acid Levels Naturally
How to Lower Uric Acid Levels Naturally
Associated Content
March 01, 2009 by Kristie Leong M.D.
If you have a history of gout, your doctor may have told you that you have an elevated uric acid blood level, while advising that you lower it to help prevent another episode of gout. After experiencing the pain associated with gout you may be quite motivated to do this, but aren't sure
where to start. Although there are effective prescription medications that can lower uric acid blood levels, these medications usually have side effects. Fortunately, there are ways to lower uric acid levels naturally. Here are some natural ways to help bring your uric acid levels down.
Watch what and how much you drink
If you have high uric acid levels, it's important to stay well hydrated by drinking lots of water. This not only helps dilute the uric acid in your bloodstream, but also helps the kidney eliminate it. Instead of drinking water only when you're thirsty, make a conscious effort to drink at least eight glasses per day. It's also important to avoid alcohol since it can raise the level of uric acid in your bloodstream and make it more likely that you'll experience an acute gout attack. Unfortunately, if you're headed to a party, you may want to drink the punch instead of the beer or wine since even light consumption of alcohol, particularly beer, has been shown to elevate uric acid concentrations in the blood.
Watch your medications.
Certain medications can elevate uric acid levels. This is particularly true of diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and some types of heart disease. Talk to your doctor about your medications and make sure they're not making the problem worse.
Watch what you eat.
© 2009 Associated Content, Inc.
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