A high uric acid level is called hyperuricemia. Uric acid, which classifies as a waste substance, has built up in the bloodstream. Too much uric acid can induce a form of arthritis known as gout that causes intensely painful flare-ups when the acid crystallizes in the joints, usually in the feet. Too much uric acid, which comes from foods containing purine, also can cause the development of kidney stones, and in some cases, renal failure.
Step 1
Reduce the intake of foods containing high levels of purine, which is part of the DNA of organisms called nucleic acids. Two portions of the DNA, adenine and guanine, classify as purines. Many types of food contain high levels of purine and avoiding them can reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood. Purine levels may increase when eating such foods as gravy; scallops; organ meat such as liver, kidney, heart and brains; wild animal meat such as partridge, duck and goose; as well as fish such as mackerel, anchovies, herring and sardines.
Step 2
Drugs.com advises to avoid foods with lower levels of purine but still pose a risk of raising uric acid levels. These include such vegetables as green peas, cauliflower, asparagus and various kinds of beans and peas that are dried. Chicken and turkey classify as medium-level purine foods, as do shellfish, pork, lamb and beef. Even foods considered healthy such as cereal and bread made from whole grain, oatmeal, bran and wheat germ have medium levels of purine.
Step 3
Eat and drink foods that contain significantly less purine such as milk, cheese and ice cream that are fat-free or low-fat versions. Vegetables such as carrots and beets have less purine, as do most fruits. Rice and gelatin, too, can help you consume less purine. Drugs.com indicates that even foods and drinks considered unhealthy such as cookies, cakes, peanut butter, soda, syrup and pudding may help lower purine levels when taken in moderation. Macaroni and other pastas also may help decrease these levels, but as with all of these foods, may cause weight gain unless used in limited amounts.
Step 4
Take medications to reduce uric acid levels if they already cause gout or other problems. Doctors typically prescribe several medicines to help decrease these levels. Allopurinol, for example, when taken daily helps to fight a buildup of uric acid and prevent attacks of gout. Febuxostat works the same way, as does colchicine. Another medicine, probenecid, aids the removal of uric acid from the body by the kidneys. These types of drugs may induce some side effects such as nausea, drowsiness and diarrhea among others.
