Preventing uric acid levels in the body from becoming too high is important for a number of different reasons. High uric acid in the body could mean that you have an underlying medical issue that could be serious, like a thyroid problem, leukemia, or Hodgkins disease. High-levels of uric acid can also cause complications like gout, kidney stones, and even kidney failure. Preventing these complications from developing will also prevent pain, suffering and even large medical bills from accumulating. Your doctor can test your blood to see what your uric acid levels are. You can make changes in your diet if they are too high and get them back to a normal level. The best place to start is by knowing which foods you should avoid.
1.) Beer And Other Alcoholic Beverages
People who have high uric acid levels should always avoid beer and other alcoholic beverages. Beer increases uric acid levels in the body, and it also makes it more difficult for the body to clear the acid out of your system. Wine is a better choice if you are out socializing, but avoiding alcohol altogether is a much wiser choice if your uric acid levels are high.
2.) Red Meat
Red meat is a delicious meat choice that is very commonplace in America. Red meat is especially bad for people who have high levels of uric acid in their body because it is high in purines. Purines are what the body breaks down, and it is then turned into uric acid. The more red meat you eat, the more uric acid your body will produce. It is important to eat red meat sparingly if you have high uric acid levels. If you must indulge, try beef or pork instead of turkey or lamb, and always go with lamb chops instead of any leg meat.
3.) Turkey
Turkey, as well as goose, is higher in purines than any other type of food. Although turkey is a staple food around the holidays, it is important to avoid it at all costs if you have high levels of uric acid. You can try chicken or duck instead of turkey, but they should also be kept to a minimum. Always have the leg meat with wild birds instead of a chicken breast with skin. This is unlike with red meat, where leg meat should be avoided.
4.) Sugary Drinks
Sodas and fruit juices are a popular choice for hydration, but they could be the reason that your levels of uric acid are so high. The sweeteners that are used in these drinks will stimulate the body to produce more uric acid. Drinking sugary drinks also puts people at risk for gaming weight, and people who are obese have a much higher chance of having high-levels of uric acid.
5.) Asparagus
Usually when looking at lists of foods not to eat, vegetables are nowhere to be seen. This is not true for people who have high levels of uric acid. Asparagus should be avoided. They should also stray away from cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms because they are higher in purines than any other vegetable. Eating these vegetables will not cause as many problems as red meat will, so it is okay to indulge in these veggies when you have a craving.