High levels of uric acid in the blood are called hyperuricemia and are a common problem in the general population. Learn about the causes of high uric acid and the herbs that can help.
Uric acid is formed as a result of the breakdown of purines in the body. While it acts as an important antioxidant when found in low levels in the body, it can cause oxidative stress when found in excessive amounts. On the contrary, it is best to keep it at a certain level as it can lead to many diseases if it is too much. There are many reasons why uric acid levels in the blood may be high, such as genetics, metabolism or some medical conditions.
An increase in uric acid levels in the blood may be due to the overproduction or consumption of purines or to a decrease in the excretion of uric acid in the urine. Men are more likely to be affected than women, especially after the age of 50. In Italy, around 0.5%/1% of the population is affected, and this rate increases with age (it is estimated to be over 8% in adults).
Uric acid: normal levels and when problems occur
You need to have a blood test to find out if you have high uric acid. When the value is above 7 mg/dl, it is very high; when it is above 9 mg/dl, the risk of gout (which we will discuss in the last paragraph) is high and treatment is required. A blood test or confirmation should be done after five days of a low-purine diet and after the continuous use of medications that may affect uric acid.
Symptoms of high uric acid
When uric acid levels are high, characteristic symptoms are not always detected and variable results can be detected with simple blood tests, routine examinations or special tests. Sometimes (but not always) too much uric acid can cause kidney stones.
In some cases (but not always), symptoms of high uric acid levels can include joint pain, swelling and redness, itching and high blood pressure. This is different from gout, which is a specific condition where hyperuricemia becomes chronic, i.e. the disease is long-lasting and uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, especially in the big toe: Gout usually manifests itself with pain and then starts to hurt, usually at night.
What causes high uric acid
There are many reasons why uric acid levels can become very high. There is a genetic predisposition (“primary hyperuricemia”) and a condition called “metabolic syndrome” is also associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia. An unhealthy lifestyle, especially being overweight or obese, not getting enough physical exercise and a poor diet appear to be other risk factors for high uric acid.
Gout was once considered a disease of the “rich”, of kings and popes, and was associated with a diet rich in meat, animal products, wine and sweets. These foods (especially meat, game, liver, sausage, mackerel, sardines and mussels) contain purines and consuming too much purine in foods can increase uric acid levels. Also, the higher recurrence rate in some aristocratic families is due to genetic potential. Among the great gout sufferers, we remember Charlemagne and the Sun King.
High Uric Acid: Tips and Solutions to Lower Uric Acid
There are treatments that can help lower uric acid in the blood, especially in cases of mild hyperuricemia. Let’s see how these costs can be reduced and what are the most appropriate treatments, remember that each treatment should be chosen by the doctor according to the body’s condition.
- water
- Sweet Spot
- Horsetail
- Birch
- Dermatophyte
- Lemon Juice and Vitamin C
- Cherries and berries
