Foods That Cause Uric Acid

Muscular and skeletal joint pain, heart disease and diabetes may all be the result of too much uric acid or purines in the blood stream. Today, many people suffer from these health conditions without even realizing a possible origin. Add to that the fast-paced daily grind of American society, and many people are eating unhealthy foods that may be high in uric acid, sacrificing nutrition for convenience without considering the consequences.

Also, elevated uric acid levels are plaguing many aging Americans with gout, a type of joint pain that is caused by acid building up in the blood stream, resulting in the body attacking its own joints. Keep in mind a few do's and don'ts to keep you on track.

Purines are a natural substance in the body, but are also found in a variety of food as wells as alcoholic drinks. Too much of it can cause a buildup of uric acid in the in the blood. When people consume foods that are high in purines such as red meats, hot dogs and bacon on a regular basis, the chances of uric acid build-up are very high.

The threat of health risks doesn't not mean that you should eliminate all foods high in purines, but you should eat these foods with caution and great moderation. Below is a partial list of the foods that are very high in purines that can lead to elevated uric acid levels:

• Pork • Beef • Fish, usually oily fish is much healthier • Fried foods • Steak • Poultry, remove skin from chicken and duck • Sugars • White and brown rice • Eggplants • Peppers • Tomatoes • Potatoes • Beer and other alcoholic drinks

In order to prevent or manage uric acid build-up, there are several good habits you can develop. First, change your eating and drinking habits. Instead of eating hot dogs, hamburgers and red meats several times a week, try a diet rich in vegetables, including carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and fruits; and pasta and oily fish. Also, vitamin C and D may help eliminate toxins in the body.

Limit your alcohol consumption. Instead drink skim milk, vegetable juices containing carrot, celery, beetroot and cucumber juices and plenty of water (about five glasses a day). Water flushes harmful toxins out of the body that may cause health issues. Two big glasses in the morning time is a good start to cleaning and purifying the digestive tract as well as the uric acid in the veins.

Excise to maintain a healthy weight. If you have gout (joint pain) along with extra weight, you will place unnecessary pressure on your joints. Ten to fifteen minutes of daily exercise can help shed those unwanted pounds and pump fresh blood through the body.

In order to decrease the amount of uric acid affecting the joints, you must maintain health eating and drinking habits. This may not be easy. There will be ups and downs and setbacks; but with a determined mind to get well and have freedom of your joints, you will reap the rewards.

The build up of uric acid in the blood stream can become a lifelong physical problem if ignored or left untreated. Consult your physician if you think that you have a case of high uric acid, who will draw and sampling blood from a vein in the arm to test for elevated levels. In addition to recommending a healthy diet, a doctor may also suggest medication that lowers uric acid levels.