Osteoarthritis risk increases with uric acid levels in joints. The researchers found the amount of uric acid found in-between one’s joints could shed light on the likelihood of developing severe osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease and there is currently no mode of treatment to slow down its progression.
Senior author of the study Virginia Byers Kraus said, “Finding a way to treat the degenerating joints of people with osteoarthritis would be a tremendous breakthrough. This research is a step towards identifying uric acid as a risk factor for osteoarthritis.”
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The researchers looked at 159 people who had knee osteoarthritis but no history of gout. The researchers found that the severity of osteoarthritis in their knees was strongly associated with the amount of uric acid in the knee.
“In a non-gout population, this provides some of the very first evidence that uric acid level is a potential cause of inflammatory events and joint degeneration in osteoarthritis,” Kraus added.
“So the next question would be, if you are able to lower uric acid levels in an osteoarthritis sufferer, could you actually slow down the progression of their osteoarthritis and bring about a meaningful change in the course of their disease. This is presumably a marker that is also a mediator of the disease process, not just a marker of the amount of disease you have.” Kraus continued.
Kraus is excited because she suggests this form of osteoarthritis is easily treatable. “We’ve always thought of uric acid as the agent for gout, but it may be a much more general agent,” she explained.
“Duke [University] has great strengths in gout disease and osteoarthritis, so we think it’s the perfect situation for pursuing evaluations of the interface between the two, trying to determine whether uric acid should be lowered to help prevent the onset or progression of osteoarthritis,” she concluded.
Tips to lower uric acid levels in joints
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Higher than normal levels of uric acid can result in a condition called gout where the uric acid forms crystals in small joints. Elevated uric acid levels can also contribute to kidney stones and kidney failure, so it’s important to keep these in check.
Here are some tips to lower your uric acid levels in the bloodstream and joints in order to prevent health complications.
- Consume apple cider vinegar
- Drink lemon juice
- Eat cherries and dark berries
- Drink glasses of baking soda and water
- Increase your intake of olive oil
- Ensure you are drinking plenty of water
- Consume a low-purine diet
- Consume high-fiber foods
- Drink skim milk and low-fat yogurt as opposed to full-fat dairy products
- Drink wheatgrass juice
- Control blood pressure and weight
- Address kidney problems on time
- Minimize alcohol
- Manage anemia
By following these tips, you can have greater success at reducing your uric acid levels.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
