Your parents must get rid of these 4 habits to maintain uric acid levels

Published on:6 August 2021, 19:00pm IST
High levels of uric acid in the body can cause gout, and other complications. That’s exactly why it is important to help your parents to avoid these common mistakes that can raise their uric acid levels.
Geetika Sachdev
Uric acid
Avoid these mistakes to keep your uric acid levels in control. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
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The food we eat has a huge difference on our health. And while we may try to follow the best diet, there are times when we make certain harmless mistakes that can throw our health off track. This time around, we are shining the spotlight on uric acid, a waste product that results from the absorption of food. For the uninitiated, it is filtered by our kidneys and is eliminated from our body through urine. But what if urine cannot remove it from our bodies? In that case, it turns into solid crystals in the joints, and this condition is also called gout. It’s also important to remember that the levels of uric acid in the blood could go up, if our body produces excess uric acid or can’t excrete it. 

Also, read: Make sure to follow these 10 family care tips to take care of your parents amid rising Covid cases

So, what are some of the reasons that cause high uric acid? Well, if you drink alcohol in large quantities, take diuretic medications, are obese, have hypothyroidism, or consume drugs that suppress immunity, then you could be highly prone to this condition. 

But there are several other reasons too that might seem harmless but can cost you in a big way: 

1. Having a high fat intake

In Indian households, the use of fats like ghee and butter is high. Most people do not even realise it, but it is a staple part of their diets. Well, if you especially belong to the older generation, it is important you refrain from having high amounts of fats. That’s because it could increase your chances of having visceral fat, and that automatically makes you prone to gout. The reason being belly fat produces more inflammatory chemicals than subcutaneous fat. 

uric acid
Help your parents keep tabs on their uric acid levels. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
2. Consuming pulses all the time

Of course, we all know pulses and legumes are helpful to fulfil your protein needs. But what if you eat dal all the time? Well, if that’s you, then it’s important to stop right away. That’s because excess intake of certain foods raises the levels of uric acid. For instance, masoor dal is one such example. 

Also, read: Struggling with high uric acid? These 6 foods can help lower levels naturally

3. Drinking lemon water in large quantities

Lemon water, as we know, has a range of benefits, but what if it is used in large quantities? It can certainly be harmful. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, drinking lemon juice makes your body release more calcium carbonate. These calcium minerals bond to uric acid, and break it down to water and other compounds. If done right, it can help. But you keep reaching out to that glass of lemon water, it’s going to wreak havoc on your levels!

4. Eating certain fruits

We’ve often heard that eating veggies and fruits can be good for health. But what if they increase your uric acid levels? That’s exactly why we request you to refrain from green peas, spinach, cauliflower, French beans, brinjal, mushroom, custard apple and chikoos. 

Geetika Sachdev Geetika Sachdev
