Best Home Remedies For Uric Acid By Dr. Siddharth Gupta

Introduction

What exactly does a high uric acid level mean, and should it be our concern?  Uric acid is a waste product present in the blood. Uric acid is produced when compounds called purines are metabolized^[1]. Under normal conditions, uric acid passes through the kidneys and urine. However, when we eat food high in purine content, uric acid levels increase in the body, leading to the formation of uric acid crystals. This deposition of uric acid crystals in the body is called gout. Let’s read about it in detail.

What Causes Increased Uric Acid?

When we eat food with high purine content, there are chances of increased uric acid levels. Some of the foods that can lead to an increase in uric acid are: 

• Red meat  
• Organ meats like liver^[2]  
• Seafood    
• Food and drinks with a high fructose content^[2]  
• Corn syrup^[2]  
• Alcohol (especially beer)^[2]  
• Non-alcoholic beer

Symptoms of High Uric Acid

The increase in uric acid does not present with specific symptoms unless it has progressed to the occurrence of diseases such as gout and uric acid nephrolithiasis (kidney stones). The symptoms of these diseases may manifest as the following: 

• Gout: It mainly affects the joints. You may notice the following in your joints 
• Warmth^[2]  
• Redness 
• Swelling 
• Mainly affects the big toes^[2] 
• Affects one joint at a time 
• Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) 
• Flank pain 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Blood in the urine (haematuria) 
• Colic pain (pain that starts and stops abruptly) 

The increased uric acid in the blood does not indicate the need for treatment. Most people with high uric acid levels do not have any symptoms and do not require long-term treatment.

Home Remedies for High Uric Acid

Although high uric acid does not indicate the need for treatment, it might require minor changes in lifestyle and food habits. It is also believed that lifestyle is a key contributing factor to the development of increased uric acid and gout. Some of the possible home remedies/modifications are listed below. 

1. Weight management  

Research^[3] shows that uric acid levels correlate with an individual’s body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndromes (heart diseases, diabetes, etc.). Weight management through dietary modifications and exercise might help reduce the uric acid levels in the blood. Furthermore, a gradual weight loss might be more helpful for uric acid levels than drastic changes.

2. Drinking water    

Activities like sunbathing and exercise-induced profuse sweating, which lead to dehydration, might cause an increase in uric acid levels. Thus, dehydration might be a factor leading to a high uric acid level and a gout attack. Therefore, your doctor might suggest that you drink plenty of water. The recommended daily intake of water is six to eight glasses, which might change according to the weather conditions and daily activities^[4].

3. Avoiding purine-rich food  

Food containing purine may or may not lead to an increase in uric acid. A study^[13] conducted from 1988-1994 showed that high consumption of seafood and meat causes a rise in uric acid in the blood. Another study^[5] on 45,000 men over 12 years showed that a moderate intake of vegetables rich in purine, like peas, lentils, asparagus, etc., did not increase uric acid. Therefore, your doctor will recommend a proper diet to decrease high uric acid levels.

4. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages  

Sweetened beverages or soft drinks contain fructose. Fructose is one of the most commonly used sugars. Increased intake of sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, etc., has led to the occurrence of new-age diseases, like diabetes, obesity, etc., including high uric acid (hyperuricemia) and gout. Therefore, avoiding such beverages might help check uric acid levels in the body^[6].

5. Dairy products    

Choi et al. ^[7] conducted an epidemiological study to find that dairy products might have the potential to help decrease uric acid levels. It might also decrease the risk of gout. The mechanism of action is still not clear. However, the activity of milk in lowering the serum uric acid level was noted in comparison to soy. In another study^[8] by Kurajoh et al., they hypothesised that milk might also facilitate the excretion of uric acid by increasing its urinary clearance.

6. Cherries  

Based on anecdotal evidence^[9], cherries have been used for decades for gout treatment. In 1950, Blau noticed that his gout pain subsided after eating some cherries. Thus began the investigation of cherries and their potential for gout. Several studies found that the potential antioxidant (free radical neutralizing) and anti-inflammatory properties of cherry and cherry juice might be helpful in gout. A significant reduction in gout attacks (by 35%) was seen in a study^[10] containing 633 patients. Therefore, cherries might be helpful for gout and uric acid.

7. Vitamin C  

A decrease in the uric acid level, probably due to its increased excretion, was seen as a result of vitamin C supplementation in a study. Another study^[11] containing 46,994 men over 20 years showed a positive correlation between serum uric acid level and vitamin C intake. It was seen that the subjects taking vitamin C had a lower risk of developing gout. This finding might be due to its potential antioxidative properties. Therefore, vitamin C might help lower uric acid levels in the blood.

8. Avoiding stress  

A recent development^[12] showed that there might be a relationship between stress and uric acid. Daily emotional stress might lead to an increased uric acid level in the body. Therefore, it might be suggested to manage stress using various time management methods and seek help when required. 

Though studies show the benefits of the given herb and home remedies in the condition, these are insufficient. There is a need for large-scale human studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these home remedies on human health. Thus, these should only be taken cautiously and never as a substitute for medical treatment.    

When to Consult a Doctor

In the absence of symptoms, high uric acid is not a condition or a disease that is actively looked for by doctors. However, high uric acid may lead to gout or kidney stones. Suppose you have gout symptoms or kidney stones; your doctor might ask for a blood examination. The blood examination may or may not reveal high uric acid.

If you are concerned that the current medication you’re taking might lead to high uric acid, you should talk to your doctor. However, ensure that you do not discontinue, replace, or make any amendments to any ongoing treatment. Kindly consult a doctor.

You must not rely on home remedies alone for the treatment of the condition and should consult a qualified doctor for any advice on the condition if the symptoms do not improve with home remedies.   

Conclusion

A high uric acid level is not a disease or a condition that requires active monitoring or long-term treatment. Most people might not even have any symptoms. However, high uric acid might lead to gout and kidney stones. These might have symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, etc. (in gout) and pain in the flank, vomiting, etc. (kidney stones). However, there are lifestyle modifications or dietary changes like avoiding purine-rich foods, and increasing water intake, including dairy products and cherries in your diet, etc. that might help reduce excess uric acid.    

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References 

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2025). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 1175, Uric Acid. Retrieved April 15, 2025. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Uric-Acid.
2. George C, Leslie SW, Minter DA. Hyperuricemia [Internet]. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan– [updated 2023 Oct 14; cited 2025 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459218/
3. Zhang Y, Chen S, Yuan M, Xu Y, Xu H. Gout and diet: a comprehensive review of mechanisms and management. Nutrients. 2022 Aug 26;14(17):3525. doi: 10.3390/nu14173525. PMID: 36079783; PMCID: PMC9459802. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9459802/
4. Kakutani-Hatayama M, Kadoya M, Okazaki H, Kurajoh M, Shoji T, Koyama H, Tsutsumi Z, Moriwaki Y, Namba M, Yamamoto T. Nonpharmacological management of gout and hyperuricemia: hints for better lifestyle. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2015 Sep 2;11(4):321-9. doi: 10.1177/1559827615601973. PMID: 30202351; PMCID: PMC6125106. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125106/
5. Choi HK, Atkinson K, Karlson EW, Willett W, Curhan G. Purine-rich foods, dairy and protein intake, and the risk of gout in men. N Engl J Med. 2004 Mar 11;350(11):1093-103. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa035700. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa035700
6. Bray GA. Energy and fructose from beverages sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup pose a health risk for some people. Adv Nutr. 2013 Mar 1;4(2):220-5. doi: 10.3945/an.112.002816. PMID: 23493538; PMCID: PMC3649102. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3649102/
7. Kakutani-Hatayama M, Kadoya M, Okazaki H, Kurajoh M, Shoji T, Koyama H, Tsutsumi Z, Moriwaki Y, Namba M, Yamamoto T. Nonpharmacological management of gout and hyperuricemia: hints for better lifestyle. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017 Jul;11(4):321–9. doi: 10.1177/1559827615601973. PMID: 30202351; PMCID: PMC6125106. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125106/
8. Kurajoh M, Ka T, Okuda C, Yamamoto A, Tsutsumi Z, Koyama H, Moriwaki Y, Yamamoto T. Effects of bovine milk ingestion on urinary excretion of oxypurinol and uric acid. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Jun;49(6):366–70. doi: 10.5414/cp201508. PMID: 21612743. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21612743/
9. Chen PE, Liu CY, Chien WH, Chien CW, Tung TH. Effectiveness of cherries in reducing uric acid and gout: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 Dec 4;2019:9896757. doi: 10.1155/2019/9896757. PMID: 31885677; PMCID: PMC6914931. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6914931/
10. Zhang Y, Neogi T, Chen C, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Choi HK. Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks. Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Dec;64(12):4004–11. doi: 10.1002/art.34677. PMID: 23023818; PMCID: PMC3510330. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3510330/
11. Choi HK, Gao X, Curhan G. Vitamin C intake and the risk of gout in men: a prospective study. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Mar 9;169(5):502–7. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606. PMID: 19273781; PMCID: PMC2767211. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2767211/
12. Johnson RJ, Sautin YY, Oliver WJ, Roncal C, Mu W, Gabriela Sanchez-Lozada L, Rodriguez-Iturbe B, Nakagawa T, Benner SA. Lessons from comparative physiology: could uric acid represent a physiologic alarm signal gone awry in western society? J Comp Physiol B. 2009 Jan;179(1):67–76. doi: 10.1007/s00360-008-0291-7. Epub 2008 Jul 23. PMID: 18649082; PMCID: PMC2684327. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2684327/
13. Rho YH, Zhu Y, Choi HK. The epidemiology of uric acid and fructose. Semin Nephrol. 2011 Sep;31(5):410–9. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2011.08.004. PMID: 22000647; PMCID: PMC3197219. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3197219/

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

92

8