Uric Acid — diet, hydration and what to avoid

### About this concern

Uric acid is a waste product made when the body breaks down purines — substances found naturally in our cells and in many foods. When uric acid levels rise too high in the blood, it can crystallise in joints (often the big toe, ankle, knee) and cause painful gout attacks. It can also contribute to kidney stones. This is an education page, not medical advice. Please get a blood test and consult a doctor for diagnosis.

### What we know

In India, high uric acid is increasingly common, partly due to richer diets, more alcohol consumption, less water intake in air-conditioned offices, and genetics. Men are more commonly affected than women, especially after age 30. Women's risk rises after menopause. Family history matters. Conditions like obesity, diabetes, high BP, and kidney issues are often linked. A normal range is roughly 3.5-7.2 mg/dL for men and 2.6-6.0 mg/dL for women, but your doctor will interpret your specific report.

### What to watch for

• Sudden severe pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in a joint (very often the big toe), usually starting at night.
• Repeated stiffness in the same joint.
• Recurrent kidney stones or burning urine.
• Sometimes there are no symptoms and high uric acid is found incidentally on a blood test.

Do not self-diagnose joint pain as gout — many other conditions look similar. Get evaluated.

### What you can do safely

Foods generally considered higher-purine for Indians, worth moderating if you have raised uric acid:

• Red meat — mutton, beef.
• Organ meats — liver, kidney, brain.
• Certain seafood — prawns, crab, sardines, anchovies (nethili), mackerel.
• Some dals and lentils in very large quantities — masoor, urad, chana, rajma. You do not need to stop dal entirely; just avoid daily heavy portions.
• Alcohol, especially beer and country liquor. Beer is a known gout trigger.
• Sugary drinks and fruit juices with added sugar — fructose raises uric acid.
• Yeast extracts and certain processed foods.

Helpful habits:

• Drink 2.5-3 litres of water daily. Chennai's heat can dehydrate you quickly, especially if you are in AC all day or out in the sun.
• Include low-fat curd, milk, vegetables, and fruits like cherry, banana, citrus.
• Coffee in moderation appears protective for some people, but check with your doctor.
• Maintain a healthy weight — crash dieting can actually trigger a flare, so go gradual.
• Move daily, but avoid intense exercise during an active flare.

### When to see a doctor

Please consult a doctor if you have sudden severe joint pain, recurring joint swelling, kidney stone symptoms, or a uric acid report that is high. If you are on diuretics, BP tablets, aspirin, or chemotherapy drugs, your levels can be affected and you need medical guidance. Pregnant or lactating women should not self-manage diet for uric acid — please ask your doctor and a dietician.

### What we do NOT recommend over the counter

We do not sell or recommend any product claiming to "dissolve" uric acid or "cure gout". Painkillers without a prescription during a flare can mask the problem and harm your kidneys or stomach. Herbal capsules promising uric acid reduction can interact with your other medication. Please get a blood test, get a diagnosis, and let a qualified doctor decide on medication and diet.