Uric Acid and Kidney Function
Article posted in: Kidney Health, Renal Diet Tips

Editors Note: Here are some ways to watch your uric acid for kidney function. Remember to always speak with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. This information is for educational and informational purposes only.

Uric Acid

What exactly is Uric Acid? Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines found in some of the foods and drinks we consume.

Most uric acid dissolves in the blood, and travels to the kidneys, filtered out in the urine. If your body produces too much uric acid or doesn’t remove enough, you can get sick. When a kidney fails to filter toxins from the body, the uric acid may build up to toxic levels, causing more injury to the kidneys.

Lowering Uric Acid for Kidney Problems

Your healthcare professional will determine any medications or binders to take. Beyond that, you can also watch your uric acid levels by consuming foods low in purines!

Vegetables

Summer squash, radishes, red bell peppers, and cabbage are great choices that are low purine and low potassium.

Fruits

Apples, cranberries, grapes, and strawberries are low in purines and low potassium!

Grains

Choose enriched breads, cereals, rice, noodles, pasta, and potatoes. Avoid or limit oatmeal, wheat bran, and wheat germ.

Avoid High Purine Foods

Animal Proteins

Meats like liver and sweetbreads should be avoided. Red meat also has moderatly high levels of purines. (1)

Alcohol

Alcohol has purines and effects the way the body secretes uric acid. Spirits have have the lowest levels of purines while beer has the highest. (2)

High-Fructose Corn Syrup

When high-fructose syrups are metabolized, purines are released. For this, high-fructose syrup consumption should be watched. (3)

Works Cited

(1) Can the foods you eat help to control gout? (2020, July 02). Retrieved August 28, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524

(2) Lockett, E. (2018). Gout and Alcohol Intake: Is There a Connection? Retrieved August 28, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/gout-and-alcohol

(3) Fructose and Gout: What’s the Link? (2017, March 07). Retrieved August 28, 2020, from http://blog.arthritis.org/gout/fructose-sugar-gout/

Uric Acid and Kidney Function
Article posted in: Kidney Health, Renal Diet Tips

Uric Acid