Uric acid naturally occurs as a waste product in your body. The cause of uric acid is the breakdown of a chemical known as purine.

This is always present in the body, it is also found in a variety of foods as well.

Uric acid would normally be carried by the blood and filtered by the kidneys, then is exited as a waste product that you know as urine.

The problem however, is uric acid levels will rise if the kidneys are unable to get rid of it naturally, or if the body is producing or has too much of it. This is a condition known as hyperuricemia.

This excess of uric acid that may be occurring in your body will cause you to experience some uncomfortable and unpleasant symptoms.

The causes of this uric acid build up can be many, however there are many ways to treat the problem and prevent it from reoccurring.

Some of the Causes of Excess Uric Acid are:
•Purines – these are natural substances found in all the body’s cells and also in many foods. The main foods that cause the problem when eaten in large quantities as these are high-purine foods. They are also high-protein foods, these include organ meats like kidney, fish like mackerel, herring, sardines and mussels, and also yeast. Also a diet that is high in animal protein with minimal vegetable content.
•Kidney Problems – Kidney failure and some cancers that affect the blood may also have a detrimental affect on the kidneys.
•Some medications as these can be high in purines, they may also have a detrimental effect on your kidneys.
•Excessive intake of alcohol, soft drink or sports drinks

Excess Uric Acid Symptoms

If you are suffering from uric acid symptoms, the discomfort can be quite significant.

Here is a list of the most common symptoms:

1. Gout

This is caused by uric acid accumulation in the blood, which can lead to the formation of small sharp crystals. These crystals can lead to pain in joints and surrounding tissues, including the feet, ankles, knees and hands. The pain can be sharp and intense.

There are many remedies for gout, and most of them are easy to incorporate into your daily life:
•Increase your Fruit and Vegetables. Foods that are low in purines can help flush out the uric acid. Eat plenty of fruits such as berries, mangoes, apples, pears, kiwi fruit and vegetables especially your dark green vegetables. It is advisable to either avoid or minimize your consumption of mushrooms, asparagus and cauliflower, as they have high levels of purine.
•Yum, Cherries. Cherries have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being an antioxidant. A cup at each meal has been shown to reduce gout.
•Alfalfa. Alfalfa can be taken as a supplement, however it is easy to include with your meals to help reduce the pain of gout.
•Water is the Big One. The more water your drink, uric acid is diluted and also the water has a beneficial effect on your kidneys as well.the more the uric acid is diluted.

2. Kidney Stones

High levels of uric acid can lead to small stone-like deposits in the kidneys. These are then passed down to the bladder, where they cause intense pain that comes and goes. This pain is not relieved until the kidney stones pass through the urethra. OOOOh painful!!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially for you fellows, not good!!!

The best remedies for kidney stones are preventative. These can include:
•Once again I cannot emphasise enough the drinking of water, water and guess what more water. During the day when you are drinking enough water your urine will run clear.
•Eat foods low in salt and animal proteins. The best advice I can give you here is to avoid all processed meats, tinned or packaged meals, your main stream biscuits cakes and keep bread to a minimum.
•Avoid calcium supplements, these will make kidney stones worse as well as your susceptibility to them. Great calcium sources are almonds, yogurt and guess what green vegetables. So that your calcium is absorbed correctly and not stored in your body, you must include foods that are high in vitamin C. These are citrus fruits, berries and kiwi fruit. Vegetables high in vitamin C are Kale, Spinach, Broccoli and Capsicum. Each morning if you have a lemon squeezed in warm water is beneficial for decreasing uric acid build up by alkalizing your body.

3. Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is just what it sounds like: The kidneys no longer function as well when it comes time to eliminate wastes. The result can be several painful and annoying symptoms, including uric acid buildup in the blood.

Remedies for kidney failure focus greatly on what you choose to eat. Avoid foods with salt and high levels of protein, as these both make your kidneys work harder. You should also avoid foods that have high levels of potassium, such as bananas or potatoes. Instead, choose low-potassium foods – these include berries, squash, corn, rice, poultry, fish, sweet potato, pumpkin and non-dairy substitutes.

4. What Uric Acid Crystals do and What you can Do!!!!

Excess Uric Acid symptoms can be found throughout the body This is dependant on where the uric acid crystals have lodged. However most often this has occurred in the joints and especially the feet, this can then lead to localized pain. You will find pain medication to be of no help, in fact it may well add to the problem. To help with the reduction of pain daily baths with a cup of Epsom salts, soak in the bath for 20 minutes, the Epsom salts will support the body’s detoxification, this in turn will then help with the pain. Initially you may well have to do this twice a day.

So to summarize what you can do and really this is the best help you can get because it is the only way that long term you will actually get on top of the problem. Avoid foods high in purines such as red and organ meat such as liver or kidneys: alcohol beverages especially beer, soft drinks, commercial fruit juices, processed meals, sauces and gravies. Keep to a minimum foods such as mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower and legumes.

When to see a Health Care Professional

High levels of uric acid can be the cause or create long term health problems so it is vitally important for our health that we keep up a diet with reduction in foods and drinks that have high levels of purines as mentioned.
•If you are dealing with localized pain that is red and inflamed, especially if it is in a toe or finger, which might be a sign of uric acid buildup
•If you experience bleeding that doesn’t stop after a few minutes
•Rapid heartbeat or new rashes on the skin, especially in conjunction with starting new medications.
•If you are feeling chest pain or chest discomfort, as well as shortness of breath

For further support>>>> for improving your Diet
Helpful Resources:

For Help with Strategies for Optimal Health, Beauty: Taking Care of Yourself from the inside out, get a copy of my EBook Optimal Health the Key to Ageless Aging: https://gumroad.com/l/VBmOF

This is “Great” you are still with me.

“You are Truly Amazing and Committed to improving your Life, I am truly grateful and proud of you”

Connect with Julie:

Julie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieDohertyND

Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie_doherty_nd/

Julie on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JulieDohertyND/

Julie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/julieshealth

Julie on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=U

Empowering You to Optimal Health Julie Doherty N.D

Author's Bio: 

Hi I’m Julie,

Your Health & Lifestyle Coach Specialist
(Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine)

I learnt very early in my life that there was much more to health than meets the eye

To achieve “Optimal Health” is about taking control of every aspect of YOU and YOUR LIFE:

That “Optimal Health” is only possible when we understand the unity of our mind, emotions connections to our physical body then our soul that inner voice that knows what is good and not good for us: Not to aim for Perfection but for Connection.

I love to work with people who dedicated who want to succeed in all areas of their life with the understanding that "Health is the very foundation for this to be possible"

So for over 26 years, I have worked with thousands of people in clinical practice prescribing herbal & homoeopathic remedies: implementing dietary changes so as to accommodate the best nutrition and life balance possible:Group and individual Health & Lifestyle Coaching to achieve the Happiest, Healthiest and Most Successful Life Possible.

My Professional Qualifications include Diplomas in Naturopathic, Herbal: Homoeopathic & Nutritional Medicine: Remedial & Therapeutic Massage Therapy: Body Mind Balancing Cognitive Counselling, Life Coaching & Massage: & Natural Beauty:

1.I love to watch movies that are based on true life stories with all the aspects of Life, love, romance, challenges and best of all happy endings.
2.I am born and bred Australian, South Australian with an English, German and Italian background
3.I didn’t commence my formulative studies until I was 28 years of age
4.I am so totally in Love with my husband of now 42 years
5.My family is the most important aspect of my life
6.I am totally passionate and focused on Health and Aging Well.
7.I love Healthy, Fresh food and Dining out
8.I try to go without drinking wine, but I have to admit that when we go out for dinner or have friends over, I do enjoy the odd glass or two of Savion Blanc
9.I love my early morning walks, just seeing the sun come up and the birds singing is just AWESOME
10.I want to live overseas for three months
11.I am obsessed with self-development books and CD’s
12.I love writing, sharing all the great things about life
13.I love hearing my clients life stories and sharing mine
14.I am living proof that by taking charge of your life will allow you to follow your passions, give you the opportunity of to age with great health and vitality.

Julie Doherty N.D
Accredited Member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society