How to Diet to Reduce Uric Acid

The main way to diet to reduce uric acid is to avoid foods that have high levels of purines. Purines are a natural substance found in many foods. Uric acid is formed when purines are broken down by the body. Even though uric acid is an antioxidant and is important for protecting blood vessels, excess purines can become deposited in joints, tendons, kidneys, and other organs causing gout. To diet to reduce uric acid, follow the steps below.

Instructions

1

Lower total daily purine intake to 100 to 150 milligrams. Some foods contain as much as 1000 milligrams of purines. Avoid foods high in purines such as herring, kidneys, liver, anchovies, mackerel, meat extracts, mincemeat, sardines, mussels, brains, gravies, sweetbreads, and yeast.

2

Eat sparingly foods that are moderately high in purine. These include beef, bacon, bluefish, chicken, chicken soup, turkey, veal, venison, and ham. Most vegetables are low in purine, but some, including asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach are moderately high in the substance. These foods contain up to 100 mg for a 3.5 ounce serving. Oats, lima beans and peas also fall into this category.

3

Avoid artificial sweeteners, carbonated drinks, beer, liquor, white-flour pastries and cakes, sugar, brown sugar, nuts, jams and jellies, chocolate, white rice, pasta, tea, salt and vinegar.

4

Maintain a healthy weight. Research suggests that obesity increases purine levels, and that losing weight may help reduce uric acid levels.