Managing High Uric Acid, Naturally, for a Healthier Life. Levels over 5.5 increase risk of heart attack and death.
High uric acid is more than an indicator of gout. It has classically only been associated with gout, a severe, inflammatory joint condition that often manifests initially in the big toe. However, recent research has linked high uric acid levels with many other chronic health conditions.
Elevations of Uric Acid over 5.5 mg/dl are associated with dramatic increases in cardiac disease & mortality. The risk is far greater than the risk associated with elevated cholesterol, yet most patients never have their uric acid level tested, and fewer still receive treatment to lower it to safe levels!
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Over 66 million people in the United States have high uric acid levels, even though most do not know it. It can go undetected because many people do not have symptoms until it is well advanced and presents as an acute gout attack.
A significant problem with modern health care is that most primary care physicians do not screen patients for uric acid levels, even those that are at high risk.
What is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a breakdown product from purines, a protein component, as well as component of DNA. There are foods that contain higher amounts of purines than others. Furthermore, our body will raise uric acid after ingestion of fructose (corn syrup), sugar, or from alcohol consumption.
Once purines metabolize to toxic uric acid, the body needs to eliminate uric acid from the body largely through urine and to a lesser extent, through feces. Elevation of Uric Acid will damage the kidneys, damage the lining of the arteries & arterioles resulting in disease in the kidneys themselves and to other end organs such as the heart.
Certain health conditions or genetics can make elevations in uric acid more likely to occur, but the best management practice for high uric acid is a functional medicine approach.
The Functional Medicine Difference.
Functional medicine doctors have a unique approach to health care. The number one pillar of functional medicine is a prevention-based approach.
We want to create the best conditions for your health to prevent chronic diseases so you can enjoy a long, healthy, high-quality life.
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A functional medicine doctor also takes a comprehensive approach to patent care, focusing on the root causes of conditions instead of just treating the symptoms.
What can be done?
Allopurinol is a prescription medication that has been used for many decades to treat gout. The approach that is taken at Stages of Life Medical Institute (SOLMI) is to start with 100 mg taken twice daily. Repeat blood work in 90 days, adjust the dosage to achieve a level between 5.3 and 5.5. If the level is lower, all the better.
Uloric is another prescription medication used to treat elevations in uric acid (hyperuricemia). The dosage there is 40 mg, daily.\
Alternatively, we use an over the counter preparation called "Uric Acid Balance" in patients that prefer to use 'all natural approaches,' and it works very well. The dosage is 3 capsules every morning.
Combining intelligent choices in diet and life-style, achieving a safe level of Uric Acid is easy and delivers lifelong dividends.
In short, elevations of Uric Acid over 5.5 mg/dl will result in atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and joint disease.
David S. Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM
copyright 2023 Stages of Life Medical Institute
