To lower uric acid quickly, prescription medications like colchicine or allopurinol may be used under the guidance of a rheumatologist. It's also important to avoid foods high in purines, limit alcohol consumption, and drink tart cherry juice, which may help reduce uric acid levels.
In addition, drinking at least 2 liters of water per day and increasing the intake of vitamin C-rich foods or herbal teas like horsetail tea can help. Horsetail tea has diuretic properties that support the elimination of uric acid through the urine.
Lowering uric acid levels is important because high levels can build up in the joints and lead to gout, causing symptoms like joint pain, swelling, redness, and limited mobility.
9 ways to lower uric acid
Some options that may help lower uric acid quickly include:
1. Taking uric acid medications
Over-the-counter or prescription medications may help lower uric acid levels quickly and should only be used under medical supervision, especially by a rheumatologist.
The most common medications used for this purpose include:
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Allopurinol
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Colchicine
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Probenecid
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Sulfinpyrazone
These medications work by either reducing uric acid production or increasing its elimination through urine.
2. Using home remedies
Some home remedies, such as Ginkgo biloba tea and horsetail tea, may help lower uric acid due to their diuretic properties, which promote the elimination of uric acid through the urine.
These remedies can be used to support medical treatment and dietary changes but should not replace professional medical guidance.
3. Drinking cherry juice
Cherries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants like anthocyanins, flavonoids, and quercetin, which may help lower uric acid levels and prevent gout flare-ups.
While there's no official recommendation for dosage, drinking one glass of concentrated tart cherry juice per day may provide benefits in reducing uric acid levels.
4. Avoiding foods high in purines
To lower uric acid quickly, it's important to avoid foods high in purines, such as:
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Red meats
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Fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel
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Shellfish like shrimp and mussels
These foods contain purines that are broken down into uric acid in the body. Reducing purine intake can help decrease uric acid levels in the blood.
5. Drinking more water
Drinking plenty of water helps increase the elimination of uric acid through the urine.
Ideally, at least 2 liters (about 8 cups) of water should be consumed daily, whether plain or infused. However, the exact amount may vary depending on individual needs.
6. Avoiding alcohol
Limiting or avoiding alcoholic beverages, especially beer, is important for lowering uric acid quickly, as alcohol is rich in purines.
Alcohol can also lead to dehydration and interfere with the kidneys’ ability to eliminate uric acid, which contributes to increased levels in the blood.
7. Drinking coffee
Some studies suggest that drinking coffee may help reduce uric acid levels, either by increasing its elimination through urine or by inhibiting enzymes involved in purine breakdown.
This association may explain why people who drink coffee tend to have a lower risk of developing gout, a condition caused by high uric acid levels.
However, more research is needed to confirm coffee’s effectiveness in lowering uric acid and reducing gout risk.
8. Avoiding sugary foods
Cutting back on foods high in sugar, such as cakes, candies, sodas, and packaged fruit juices, may also help lower uric acid quickly.
Excess sugar can increase uric acid production and lead to weight gain and metabolic issues, which are linked to higher uric acid levels, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
9. Increasing vitamin C intake
Eating more foods rich in vitamin C can help lower uric acid levels quickly. Vitamin C has strong antioxidant effects and may support uric acid elimination through urine, reducing gout symptoms.
Vitamin C-rich foods include acerola, oranges, strawberries, melon, and cooked broccoli.