Uric Acid: What It Means and How to Manage It

Uric acid is a normal waste product from breaking down certain foods and cells. When your body makes too much or your kidneys don’t clear it well, levels rise. High uric acid can lead to gout attacks or kidney stones — and those problems are painful and avoidable for many people.

What raises uric acid and how you’ll notice it

Common triggers are easy to spot: eating a lot of red meat, organ meats, shellfish, or sugary drinks with fructose. Alcohol — especially beer — also raises levels. Being overweight, having high blood pressure, reduced kidney function, and some medicines (like certain diuretics) matter too.

Symptoms to watch for: sudden, intense joint pain (often the big toe), swelling, redness, or heat in a joint. Kidney stones cause sharp back or side pain and blood in the urine. If you get sudden joint pain that wakes you at night, see a doctor.

Simple, practical steps to lower uric acid

1) Get tested. A simple blood test shows your uric acid level in mg/dL. Keep a record so you and your doctor can track changes.

2) Cut the biggest dietary triggers. Reduce red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and sugary sodas. Swap those for lean protein, beans, and whole grains. Vegetables that contain purines are usually fine — they don’t raise gout risk the way meat does.

3) Drink more water. Aim for steady hydration to help kidneys flush uric acid. If you sweat a lot or exercise daily, drink extra.

4) Tame alcohol and sweet drinks. Beer and hard liquor are bigger problems than wine. Replace one drink a day with water or unsweetened tea.

5) Lose weight slowly if needed. Quick drops in weight can temporarily raise uric acid. Aim for steady, sustainable weight loss through small, lasting changes.

6) Consider foods and supplements with evidence. Low-fat dairy often helps lower levels. Vitamin C in moderate doses can reduce uric acid a bit. Cherries and cherry juice have some studies showing fewer gout attacks — useful as a small daily tweak, not a cure.

7) Talk to your doctor about meds if lifestyle changes aren’t enough. Drugs like allopurinol or febuxostat lower production of uric acid. Your doctor will weigh benefits, side effects, and other health issues.

Follow-up matters: recheck your blood level after a few months, and share any new joint pain or kidney symptoms. If a joint looks infected or you have fever with a gout attack, get urgent care — sometimes infections can mimic gout.

Small, steady changes give the best results: test, cut the top triggers, hydrate, adjust weight safely, and stay in touch with your provider. That approach lowers your risk of painful attacks and protects your kidneys over time.