The secret to aging healthily involves, among other things, eating a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables and limited in alcohol and ultra-processed foods. In addition, the diet must be accompanied by the practice of regular physical exercise that helps to have an agile body. Even if we maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is possible that, especially with age, certain conditions begin to appear that can affect our health. From osteoporosis, osteoarthritis or the appearance of uric acid.
Uric acid is a “chemical that is created when the body breaks down substances called purines,” according to Medline Plus. Purines can be produced by the body itself or can be found in certain foods such as, for example, anchovies or peas, they say from the same portal. The problem begins when the body does not eliminate a sufficient amount of uric acid and, consequently, leads to the appearance of certain diseases.
Frequently, the symptoms of uric acid are determined, as detailed by the specialized pharmacy Farmazara, by pain or discomfort in the joints – for example, the knee or ankles -, the appearance of what are known as “stones” in the kidneys or even due to problems when going to the bathroom to urinate. Gout is another disease associated with uric acid that is caused by the accumulation of crystals of said chemical and can be quite painful if it is not remedied with medication and appropriate treatment.
The treatment to follow will depend on the amount of uric acid you have in your body. Normally, if the uric acid level is high, they usually recommend modifying eating and hydration habits. “To reduce uric acid, it is recommended to follow a diet restricted in purines and with very good hydration,” confirms Aitor Sánchez’s nutritionist in this La Vanguardia office. There are some foods, such as spinach or beans, that recommend avoiding consumption in high quantities. In addition, experts advise limiting or reducing the consumption of all types of alcohol as much as possible.
We advise you that if you have questions about your uric acid levels, how to detect or treat it, go to a professional to perform the relevant tests. In this way, the doctor will be able to issue a diagnosis and give you personalized treatment.
