High Uric Acid Impacts Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common health condition that can be diagnosed easily using a combination of physical exam, medical history analysis, and x-ray. However, predicting the progression of this medical problem has always been very difficult to do. Nevertheless, recent scientific studies have revealed that there is one particular indicator that can be very useful when it comes to determining the progression of this condition.

Medical research has shown that Osteoarthritis patients who have high levels of uric acid are likely to experience a faster progression of OA. In order to fully understand the correlation between high uric acid and osteoarthritis, it might be beneficial to analyze this compound in depth.


So what is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a chemical substance that is created when the body breaks down compounds known as purines, which are found naturally in human cells as well as in specific types of foods. Some of the foods that contain high amounts of uric acid include dried beans, mackerel, peas, anchovies, trout, and red meat. Some beverages, such as beer and liquor, also contain high amounts of uric acid.

Normally, uric acid is transported through the blood into the kidneys, where it is consequently removed from the body in the form of urine. However, some people may produce very high amounts of uric acid than what their bodies can regulate. This puts them at a higher risk of developing various health problems such as gout and arthritis.  


How to Lower the Level of Uric Acid in the Blood

The levels of uric acid in the blood can be determined through a urine or blood test. In case your doctor finds that you have excess uric acid, they may prescribe certain medications to help you lower it. Furthermore, there are several ways in which you can keep your uric acid level in check. These include:

 Drink Lots of Fluids
Drinking lots of fluids throughout the day allows you to flush out excess uric acid and minimize the risk of health conditions such as kidney stones. 

 Watch Your Diet
As we mentioned earlier, there are various foods that are known to have very high levels of uric acid. These include foods such as red meat, dried beans, and anchovies. Therefore, you need to minimize ( if possible, eliminate them completely) their intake in order to reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood

 Avoid Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic drinks such as beers and spirits typically contain high amounts of purines, which release more uric acid in the body when they are metabolized. If you have been diagnosed with hyperuricemia, therefore, you need to reduce your alcohol intake in order to lower the levels of uric acid in your blood. 


In Conclusion

We still have a lot to learn about the correlation between uric acid and osteoarthritis. However, medical studies so far have revealed that the testing and control of uric acid levels in the blood can actually slow down the progression of OA.

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Location: Floral Park, NY 11001, USA

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