Having a high level of uric acid in your body can cause many problems such as gouty arthritis, kidney stones and renal failure. It is also associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Having a high level of uric acid may be caused from increased production of uric acid in the body or decreased excretion of it through the kidneys. A bad diet also contributes in having high levels of uric acid. Excess alcohol, obesity or an underactive thyroid are all factors that can increase the levels of uric acid.
The optimal levels are:
- Men: 3.4–7.0mg/dL
- Women: 2.4–6.0 mg/dL
Controlling your uric acid levels can be done through exercise, fasting and some homemade remedies that help a lot. Here are 10 home remedies that will help you maintain your levels to the optimal values.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Being a natural cleanser and detoxifier, apple cider vinegar can help remove wastes like uric acid from the body. It contains malic acid that helps break down and eliminate uric acid. Apple cider vinegar also helps restore the alkaline acid balance in the body and provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
- Add one teaspoon of raw, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
- Drink this solution two or three times a day.
You can gradually increase the amount of apple cider vinegar up to two tablespoons per glass of water and continue this remedy until your uric acid levels come down.
Note: Do not take apple cider vinegar in excess as it may decrease potassium levels in the body. Also, it may interfere with diuretic drugs.
2. Lemon Juice
Though it may seem that lemon juice will make the body more acidic, in actuality, it produces an alkaline effect and helps neutralize uric acid. Plus, its vitamin C content also helps lower uric acid levels.
Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass of warm water. Drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. Continue for at least a few weeks.
You can also take vitamin C supplements. For proper dosage and suitability, consult your doctor.
3. Cherries
Cherries and dark berries contain chemicals that help reduce uric acid levels. Plus, purple and blue-colored berries contain flavonoids called anthocyanins that help lower uric acid and reduce inflammation and stiffness.
- Eat one-half cup of cherries daily for a few weeks. You can also drink one or two cups of tart cherry juice for about four weeks.
- Also, add blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and other vitamin C and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda, also called bicarbonate of soda, is highly beneficial for lowering uric acid levels and reducing gout pain. It helps maintain the natural alkaline balance in the body and makes the uric acid more soluble and easier to flush out of the kidneys.
- Mix one-half teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
- Drink up to four glasses of this daily for two weeks. You can drink it every two to four hours.
Note: Do not take this remedy on a regular basis. Also, do not follow this remedy if you suffer from high blood pressure. People age 60 or older should not drink more than three glasses of this baking soda solution daily.
5. Olive Oil
Most vegetable oils turn into rancid fats when heated or processed. The rancid fats destroy the vital vitamin E in the body, which is essential for controlling uric acid levels.
Opt for cold-pressed olive oil rather than using vegetable oil, butter or shortening in your cooking and baking. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that remain stable when heated. Plus, it is high in vitamin E and antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory benefits.
