Uric acid is created by natural processes in the body. It’s a byproduct of the breakdown of chemicals in our food and in the cells themselves. In a healthy person, uric acid is created in the liver, goes through the kidneys, and is eliminated in the urine. But for those who have certain health problems, uric acid might build up in the body, where it circulates in the blood. The result is a painful type of arthritis known as “gout.” Preventing gout means learning how to control uric acid, especially if you have other health conditions that might make it tough for your kidneys to process the acid.
How to Reduce Uric Acid with Natural Remedies
1. Beverages
The first line of defense is knowing what to put into your body. The following beverages can help with uric acid treatment.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
This natural cleanser helps remove uric acid from the body. To use it, simply add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink the solution two or three times a day. Don’t drink more than this, as excess vinegar can cause other problems, such as decreasing potassium levels in your body.
- Water
There is nothing like old-fashioned water to help flush toxins from the body. Drink at least eight or ten glasses of water throughout the day, and load up on water-rich fruits and veggies, like watermelon.
- Lemon Juice
The vitamin C in lemon juice can help lower uric acid levels, and it works in the body by producing an alkaline effect, thus neutralizing some acid. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass of water and drink it as the first thing in the morning.
- Add Baking Soda
Blending half a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water and drinking it every day for up to two weeks can help relieve the symptoms of gout. You can have up to four glasses daily, unless you are 60 or older, and unless you suffer from high blood pressure.
- Wheatgrass Juice
Wheatgrass can help balance the alkalinity in your blood, promote detoxification, and provide you with protein. Mix two tablespoons of wheatgrass juice with a squeeze of lemon and drink that each day.
- Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol can actually lead to more uric acid in the blood, as well as reduce how much of it you expel in urine. Because of this, it’s important to limit alcohol consumption to only one glass of wine per day at the most.
2. 
Diet
Your diet can make a big difference in the amount of uric acid. Here’s how to reduce uric acid through diet.
- Reduce Purine Intake
Purines are natural compounds, but when they are metabolized, they turn into uric acid. If you have too much uric acid in your body, reducing purines might help. Try to limit your intake of meats, fish and poultry, as well as yeasts, high fructose corn syrup and beer. Some purine-rich foods that should be avoided completely include organ meats, game meats, meat extracts, anchovies, sardines, fish roe, and other seafood.
- Eat Complex Carbs
Complex carbs, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, are an excellent choice. Avoid simple carbs, such as white bread, candy, cakes, or anything sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.
- Eat Starchy Carbs
Anything starchy contains small amounts of purines, so go for it! Rice, pasta, dark breads, potatoes, oats, barley and the like should be eaten along with fresh veggies and fruits.
- Opt for Low-Fat Dairy
With low purine content and high levels of protein, these foods are great for reducing uric acid. Look for skim milk, low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese, as well as other dairy products that are low-fat.
- Take in More Vitamin C
This has been proven to lower uric acid levels, so ask your doctor about taking a supplement. Five hundred milligrams is a good place to start.
3. Other Ways to Reduce Uric Acid
These other methods for how to reduce uric acid can help you feel better.
- Lower Inflammation
Eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties has been proven to help lower the uric acid concentration. Choose cherries, blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple. Celery seeds can also help with alkalizing the blood and serving as a natural diuretic.
- Stay at a Healthy Weight
The more weight you carry, and the more purines you eat, the more likely you are to have uric acid problems. Losing weight can help with this, and can gradually lower your uric acid levels.
- Watch Your pH
Eat certain foods to balance the pH of your body, including apples, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, lemons, and tart cherry juice. These foods can help keep your body on the alkaline side, and that can help reduce acids, including uric acid.
Want to learn more about foods that can prevent or help eliminate uric acid? This video can help:
How to Reduce Uric Acid with Medical Treatments
1. Allopurinol
This drug is designed to lower the amount of uric acid the body produces, thus making you feel much better in the long run. It is important to drink plenty of water while on this medication, and check with your doctor if you have any underlying medical problems that might interfere.
2. Febuxostat
This drug blocks xanthine oxidase, an enzyme in the body. As a result, the uric acid levels drop. This is a long-term treatment and should only be used if you are already developing symptoms of gout.
3. Uricosuric Agents
These drugs work by prompting your kidneys to work harder in filtering the uric acid from the body. If you are receiving cancer treatment, have kidney disease, are taking aspirin or have problems with your urinary tract, you should not take these medications.