Nowadays, high uric acid is no longer an exclusive problem for the elderly, and more and more young people have joined the ranks. So, what exactly is high uric acid? What are the harms?
First of all, we have to understand what uric acid is. Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism, which is mainly decomposed by nucleic acids and other purine compounds decomposed by cell metabolism and purines in food by the action of enzymes. Normally, uric acid production and excretion are in a state of equilibrium. However, when this balance is disrupted, uric acid levels rise, which is what we often call "high uric acid".
The most direct harm of high uric acid is gout. When uric acid levels continue to rise and exceed the excretion capacity of the kidneys, urate will be deposited in joints, soft tissues, kidneys and other parts, triggering acute or chronic inflammatory reactions, resulting in joint redness, swelling, pain, deformation, and even kidney function.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease:High uric acid levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that elevated uric acid levels are closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Kidney damage:Long-term high uric acid status can cause damage to the kidneys, leading to the occurrence of kidney stones, nephritis and other diseases. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure and even require dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Increased risk of diabetes:High uric acid levels are also associated with the occurrence and progression of diabetes. Studies have shown that people with high uric acid have a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes than the normal population.
Since high uric acid has so many harms, how to reduce uric acid levels? Here are three simple and practical ways to do it:
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1. Adjust your diet.
Eat less high-purine foods, such as animal offal, seafood, etc.; Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits and increase your intake of vitamins and fiber; Moderate intake of high-quality protein, such as lean meat, fish, etc. At the same time, it is necessary to control the total caloric intake and avoid obesity.
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2. Increase exercise.
Appropriately increasing aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, etc., can help promote metabolism and improve the body's immunity. Exercise can also help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and further promote the excretion of uric acid.
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3. Drugs**
Medications** may be considered when uric acid levels are too high or cannot be effectively controlled with lifestyle modifications. Commonly used urate-lowering drugs include drugs that inhibit uric acid synthesis and drugs that promote uric acid excretion. However, please use it under the guidance of a doctor and do not buy medicine by yourself.
In conclusion, high uric acid not only affects our quality of life, but can also bring a series of serious health problems. Therefore, we need to start by adjusting our lifestyle and pay attention to changes in uric acid levels. When uric acid is found to be elevated, timely measures should be taken to intervene and **. Remember, health is our most valuable asset!