How to Lower Uric Acid: 7 Home Remedies to Reduce Levels

An active lifestyle and a nutritious diet go a long way in ensuring a healthy and happy life. Unhealthy lifestyle choices may lead to a number of ailments and conditions that may become serious or chronic if left unattended.

Many people suffer from health conditions as a result of an elevated level of uric acid in their body. Gout is the most common problem. Fortunately, a high uric acid level, also known as hyperuricemia, is extremely common and easily treatable. (1)

Uric acid can be described as a chemical found in the blood. It is formed when a substance known as purine is broken down in the body. Most of this chemical dissolves in the blood and is removed through the kidneys.

The normal uric acid level for men falls in the range of 3.4-7.0 mg/dL. For women, the normal range is 2.4-6.0 mg/dL. There might be a slight difference in these values from one lab to another.

However, in some cases, the body may produce excess uric acid or may not be able to excrete enough of it, leading to hyperuricemia or a high level of uric acid in the blood. Regular monitoring of serum-urate levels is necessary to keep a check on hyperuricemia. (2)

Factors that may lead to an elevated uric acid level

• A diet that is high in purine.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol.
• Underactive thyroid.
• Insufficient renal function.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Obesity
• Age
• Menopause in women.
• Metabolic or endocrine conditions.
• Other certain diseases.

Uric acid levels may also go up temporarily owing to exercising, crash dieting or fasting. Also, men are more prone to this problem than women.

Signs of high uric acid

Perhaps the most common ailment that results from high uric acid is gout or gouty arthritis, which is caused by deposits of solid uric acid crystals within the joints. Increased uric acid also causes kidney stones and, in some cases, renal failure. Studies have shown a connection between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular disease as well as hypertension.

Painful and swollen joints, itchy skin and lumps underneath the skin (formed by crystallized uric acid) are a few common signs indicating increased levels of uric acid.

Home remedies to reduce uric acid in the body

Seeking professional medical advice for lowering and managing uric acid levels is vital. There are also a number of natural remedies that can be highly effective in tackling this common health issue.

Method 1: Add cherries to your diet

The chemicals present in cherries and dark berries are great for bringing down uric acid levels. Cherries are packed with vitamin C and also contain proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids, and anthocyanins (anti-inflammatory), thus making them a useful remedy for lowering the uric acid concentration in the blood and preventing its accumulation in the joints. Black cherry juice is believed to be extremely helpful in promoting discharge of uric acid crystals from the body.

Single-Step Treatment: Include cherries in your daily diet

• Consume about 1½ cups of cherries every day for a few weeks.
• Alternatively, drink 1 to 2 cups of tart cherry juice every day for 3 to 4 weeks.
• Another option would be to take 1,000 mg of cherry fruit extract daily.
• Blueberries and strawberries will also help lower your uric acid level.

Method 2: Drink apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits and is a natural remedy for a number of health issues, including arthritis pain, nasal congestion, acid reflux, digestive issues and more. It aids in cleansing and detoxifying the body, thus removing uric acid and other waste.

Apple cider vinegar is rich in several nutrients. While potassium is useful in removing toxins from the blood, iron, calcium and amino acids also reduce toxin buildup and also act as antibiotics. The malic acid present in apple cider vinegar aids in breaking down and eliminating the uric acid.

This ingredient also plays a role in restoring and maintaining the alkaline-acid balance in the body.

Honey contains several essential nutrients as well as antiseptic, antibacterial and healing benefits. Other than being excellent for your health, honey will also serve as a natural sweetener for the apple cider vinegar and water solution.

Things you’ll need:

• Apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon
• Honey - for taste
• Water - a glass

Single-Step Treatment: Drink an apple cider vinegar & honey solution 2 or 3 times daily

• Add 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and honey to a glass of water.
• Drink the apple cider vinegar solution 2 or 3 times daily.

Gradually increase the quantity of apple cider vinegar you add per glass of water. You can use up to 2 tablespoons. Continue this remedy until you get the desired results.

Apple cider vinegar can also be used topically in the form of a wrap or spray for treating gout.

Method 3: Hydrate yourself with lemon water

It is often assumed that lemon juice will end up making the body more acidic. On the contrary, it produces an alkaline effect and can be useful in neutralizing uric acid. It aids in promoting the production of digestive juices, thus helping neutralize the acidity in your body. The vitamin C content of lemon juice also plays a major role in reducing uric acid levels.

Furthermore, lemon juice effectively stimulates calcium carbonate production, which is also useful in neutralizing uric acid.

Single-Step Treatment: Drink lemon water once or twice a day

• Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon into a glass of water.
• Mix well and drink the lemon water.

It is best to consume the lemon water on an empty stomach when you wake up in the morning. You may also use this remedy in the evening. Continue this remedy until you get the desired results.

Method 4: Consume celery seed extract supplements

Celery seeds offer a long list of health benefits. They come with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic benefits and can help tackle various ailments, such as gout, arthritis, muscle pain, and joint pain. They stimulate the kidneys and help alkalize the blood, thus flushing out excess uric acid from the body.

Single-Step Treatment: Take celery seed extract tablets after consulting your doctor

• Take celery seed extract tablets after consulting your doctor for the proper dosage.
• Alternatively, you may use 1 tablespoon of celery seed to make tea. Drink the celery seed tea 2 times a day.

Continue this remedy until your symptoms subside.

Method 5: Sip on baking soda water

Baking soda is undoubtedly one of the most commonly used ingredients in household remedies. From cooking and cleaning to health and beauty benefits, this versatile ingredient serves numerous purposes.

Baking soda helps bring down the uric acid level by balancing your acid-alkaline level. It makes the uric acid present in your body more soluble. As a result, it is easily flushed out by the kidneys.

Single-Step Treatment: Mix baking soda and water & drink it several times a day

• Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water.
• Stir it well to form a solution
• You can drink about 4 glasses of baking soda-water every day. Leave a gap of 2 to 4 hours between each glass.

Continue using this remedy for 2 weeks.

Method 6: Consume wheatgrass juice

Although a part of the wheat family, wheatgrass does not contain any wheat gluten. In fact, it is loaded with healing and therapeutic benefits and is full of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and other important nutrients. Moreover, all the nutrients present in wheatgrass are ready for instant absorption into the bloodstream. This ingredient also boasts of antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Wheatgrass can be useful in restoring the alkalinity in the blood. The high levels of phytochemicals, chlorophyll and vitamin C present in it support detoxification of the body, which is important to reduce uric acid.

Single-Step Treatment: Drink wheatgrass juice every day

• Mix 1 teaspoon wheatgrass powder into a glass of water to make a juice.
• Drink the mixture daily.

Continue daily until you get desired results. You may also squeeze the juice from 1 lemon into the mixture for additional benefits.

Method 7: Change your dietary habits

A healthy nutritious diet accelerates the body’s ability to recover from ailments, deficiencies, and imbalance. Diet control is an important part of reducing and maintaining your uric acid level. Here are a few tips you must keep in mind if you have hyperuricemia.

• Foods containing fiber and starchy carbohydrates work well to lower the uric acid level. A few examples are pears, strawberries, apples, green papayas, potatoes, grains, oats, and rice.
• Drink plenty of water and healthy fluids. This will help dilute the uric acid and stimulate the kidneys to flush out the excess through your urine.
• It is best to avoid foods that are high in fat.
• Reduce your intake of processed sugar, such as high fructose corn syrup.
• Turmeric, pineapple, parsley, grapes, and flaxseeds are few items you can include in your daily diet. These will help reduce the pain and stiffness that occurs due to an increased level of uric acid.
• Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds that break down in the form of uric acid. Thus, consuming a diet that is low in purine will also help. This means cutting down on animal proteins (poultry, meats, organ meats, fish). Other foods that are rich in purine are yeast, mushrooms, beans, and asparagus.
• Refined carbohydrates like white bread and cakes should be avoided.
• Make sure your diet is low in protein and rich in complex carbohydrates.
• Low-fat milk, skim milk, and other dairy products promote the functioning of the kidneys by reducing the reabsorption of uric acid. Include skim milk, low-fat yogurt, tofu, and other similar dairy products in your diet.

Tips and precautions to reduce uric acid

• People suffering from high blood pressure should avoid using baking soda for controlling uric acid levels.
• Those over age 60 should limit their intake of the baking soda remedy to 3 glasses per day.
• Limit your intake of apple cider vinegar, as excess consumption of this ingredient, may reduce the potassium level in the body.
• High uric acid may go unnoticed in the early stages. Getting yourself tested periodically will help ensure your uric acid level stays in check.
• Regular exercise and healthy body weight can also help control uric acid levels

Resources:

1. Tausche A-K, Jansen TL, Schröder H-E, Bornstein SR, Aringer M, Müller-Ladner U. Gout—Current Diagnosis and Treatment. Dtsch Arztebl International. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2754667/. Published August 2009.

2. Schumacher HR, Chen LX, Mandell BF, et al. The practical management of gout. MDedge Psychiatry. https://www.mdedge.com/ccjm/article/94995/practical-management-gout. Published September 25, 2018.