Uric acid is a chemical your body makes when it breaks down purines, substances naturally found in your body and the food you eat. Your body usually gets rid of uric acid in your urine. However, if your kidneys aren't able to clear it out or your body is making too much, uric acid may build up in your blood. While there are no proven home remedy concoctions that help lower uric acid levels, you can do a number of things at home to help improve them.
Eat Fewer Purines
Some of the uric acid your body makes comes from the purines in your food. You can lower your levels by significantly limiting your intake of foods high in purine. This includes organ meats such as liver, kidneys and sweetbreads, as well as certain types of seafood such as crab, anchovies and trout.
Additionally, all animal proteins, including red meat, poultry and fish, are a source of purines. Limiting your intake of these foods to one serving a day, where one serving is about 3 ounces, may also help keep uric acid levels down.
Limit High-Fructose Corn Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup is found in a variety of foods, including soda, baked goods and even ketchup and salad dressing. The fructose in high-fructose corn syrup may raise uric acid levels, according to the website Patient, and you should limit your intake of these foods to improve the uric acid levels in your blood. While fruit is also a source of fructose, you should not limit your intake of these healthy foods, the website clarifies.
Get More Vitamin C
A study published in Arthritis Care and Research in 2011 found that high doses of vitamin C reduce blood uric acid levels. While this study focused primarily on vitamin C supplementation, upping your intake of vitamin C-rich foods may also help. Good sources include red and green peppers, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, spinach, oranges, kiwifruit, strawberries and grapefruit. If you're considering adding a vitamin C supplement to your diet to help improve uric acid levels, talk to your health care practitioner first.
Drink More Water
One of the easiest home remedies for reducing high uric acid levels is making sure you drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps keeps the kidneys working properly and may help flush out uric acid. You need at least 8 cups of water a day, and you might need to drink as much as 15 cups depending on your daily activity, age, weight and health needs. Your doctor can also help you determine how much water to drink to flush out uric acid.