Uric Acid & Gout

GoutUric acid today has become one of the major reason for causing body and joint pains. Higher concentration of uric acid in blood may form hard crystals in joints leading to pain in knee, finger joints. Such pain should not be neglected by thinking pain due to fatigue. This medical condition is called gout.



Gout is a type of arthritis only, in which smaller joints are more adversely affected. Swelling, tenderness, redness, sharp pain in ankle, knee, feet, wrists or finger and toe joints, is the common character of gout.

Causes of Gout:

Higher concentration of uric acid in blood or hyperuricemia is the most common and major cause of gout. Uric acid is a waste product formed on breakdown of purine, which is naturally present in foods. Uric acid is cleaned out of blood by kidneys and then excreted with urine. But if kidneys clean lesser uric acid or body is producing too much of it, then uric acid starts accumulating in blood leading to gout. Several factors that make a person more susceptible to gout are:

  • Family history of gout
  • Kidney problem
  • Overweight
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Taking diuretic medicines or niacin

Symptoms of Gout

  • Tenderness, swelling and extreme pain in smaller joints, usually of finger or toe.
  • Sharp pain starting all of a sudden and become unbearable within short time.
  • Reddishness of skin around affected joint, appearing infected.
  • Peeling and itching of skin around affected joint.

Natural remedies to control uric acid in blood

  • Apple cider vinegar: Malic acid present in apple cider vinegar helps in breaking down of uric acid. It also restores alkaline-acid balance of body. Add 1 teaspoon or raw apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink twice or thrice a day.
  • Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps in breakdown of uric acid. It can be taken in form of capsule or in foods rich in Vitamin C like lemon and oranges.
  • Cherries and dark berries: eat 30-40 cherries in every 3-4 hours for maximum breakdown of uric acid.
  • High fiber content diet: Fiber rich foods like spinach, green vegetables, oats etc. also helps in reduction of uric acid from blood.
  • Reduce corn syrup: Corn syrup is commonly used as replacement for conventional sugar, mostly in packaged foods and drinks. Corn syrup also leads to production of uric acid in blood. Avoid its intake to reduce uric acid.
  • Bakery products like cakes; pastries should also be avoided, as they also leads to excessive production of uric acid.
  • Beer and alcohol consumption should be reduced in order to control the uric acid concentration in blood.
  • Diuretic and niacin medicine also lead to uric acid formation. Consult your doctor to prescribe medicine that leads to minimum amount of uric acid build up.
  • Avoid using vegetable oil. Food should be prepared in olive oil, as olive oil is essential source of vitamin E, which is essential for controlling uric acid.
  • Ajwain (bishop’s weed) is anti-oxidative in nature, regulates blood uric acid concentration and reduces joint pain.