Lower Uric Acid with These Simple Steps
The food that we eat is broken down by body cells, that in turn produce uric acid. Uric acid is filtered out by kidneys and leaves our body in the form of urine. Small amount of uric acid is also present in our stool. If kidneys are not able to filter out uric acid from the body, its level increases in the blood, and as a result, solid crystals are formed within the joints. This leads to a painful condition called Gout. If Gout is not treated, the uric acid crystals build further in the joints and nearby tissues and form a hard and lumpy deposits called Tophi. Increased levels of uric acid in the blood also cause kidney stones or even kidney failure. Normal uric level in men is supposed to be in the range 3.4 to 7 mg/dL where as in women it is supposed to be 2.4-6 mg/dL. The values may differ at different labs. Factors that contribute to high levels of uric acid in the blood include: Diet that is high in purines (purine is the component that is broken down to uric acid), excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, underactive thyroid, metabolic or endocrine conditions like diabetes.