When you have chronic kidney disease, preserving what little kidney function remains is of critical importance. A recent study by Tokyo Takanawa hospital’s Dr. Kenjiro Kimura followed a group of elderly CKD patients who were split into two groups, one which was prescribed febuxostat, the key ingredient in prescription uric acid reducers like Uloric, with the other group being issued a placebo.
Those on the uric acid reducer experienced a significant reduction in eGFR decline as well as a decreased rate of developing conditions like gouty arthritis. This research only serves to re-iterate the great need of intensive uric acid monitoring and control. Although prescriptions may be necessary if a person’s uric acid levels are excessively high, there are also various natural treatments you can use to keep those levels in check.
Some of these include:
- Cherries and Cherry Extracts
- Quercetin
- Celery Seed Extract
- Citric Acid (experts recommend warm water with lime juice)
Of course, the other vital aspect of controlling your uric acid levels involves limiting exposure to foods which contain substantial amounts of uric acid as well.
Luckily, these are many of the same foods you should already be avoiding if you have kidney disease due to their high protein content, primarily foods in the meat and seafood categories, and of course, you should also be limiting your alcohol intake.
Additionally, you should be getting your uric acid levels checked periodically by your doctor if you aren’t already. And for more information about how to successfully manage CKD with diet be sure to check out our shop page and our backlog of informative videos and articles.
