Diabetes, Obesity, Heart Disease & Uric Acid Caused by Fructose?

What causes high URIC ACID in the body? This is my question today. Many of our chronic diseases are associated with high uric acid levels. According to Dr. David Perlmutter, elevated Uric Acid is a common thread linking our rising chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, gout, insulin resistance, Non fatty liver disease, and Alzheimer’s. 

“It’s time we put uric acid where it belongs, to measure it and follow it over time, as we do with blood pressure, and blood sugar.” Dr. David Perlmutter 

Uric acid is a crystalline compound found in kidney stones. We are told that uric acid is a produced when the body breaks down purine. So, if that is true, should we avoid consumption of purines? Purines are said to be found in organ meats, red meats, and fatty fish. Then if we reduce purines, we can control uric acid naturally, and restore health. Right? Sadly, uric acid turns out to be difficult to control, and its source in the body might not be so simple. Where is the missing link in our medical understanding?

Can Uric Acid Levels Predict Future Cardiovascular Disease? 
Surprisingly, Yes! A simple $2-blood test for uric acid can more-or-less predict whether you are at risk of developing heart failure in the future, according to new research from the Stanford University School of Medicine. “Our study shows that high levels of uric acid significantly increase your risk of developing heart failure later in life,” said Eswar Krishnan, MD, assistant professor of immunology. 

New Discoveries Reveal FRUCTOSE Drives Uric Acid!
Recently, scientists and doctors have stepped forward with additional research which shows dietary purines may not be the main problem. It’s OK to reduce consumption of high-purine foods. But there’s more to the story. 

Research now suggests that FRUCTOSE consumption is the biggest indicator of uric acid. Studies also show that high meat and seafood can increase uric acid levels somewhat. And they tell us that dairy consumption can help to reduce uric acid. However, eating purine-rich vegetables has no effect on uric acid levels. Great news! This means, vegetables are back on the menu!

We tend to assume that dietary purines causes uric acid. However, it turns out only a small percentage of uric acid in the body comes from dietary purines such as organ meats. The vast majority of uric acid is produced right inside our own body’s cells, NOT from the purines we eat. So, NOW WE KNOW WHAT IS DRIVING URIC ACID! HOORAY!

“Fructose sugar and all sugars that we eat are metabolized into purines, and this is the main driver of uric acid in the body.” Dr. David Perlmutter

What is Fructose?
Fructose is that delicious natural sweetness in fruits and vegetables. Fructose is half 50% of table sugar. So, anything that contains table sugar is high in fructose. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was introduced in the 1970’s, and production has increased rapidly. HFCS is used in many prepared foods worldwide as it’s the cheapest and most delicious sweetener available.

Where is Fructose Hidden?
Foods with extremely high fructose levels are soft drinks, sauces, condiments, and processed foods, consumption of which has skyrocketed in the last few decades. Is it any wonder that metabolic diseases are increasing worldwide?

“Fructose is a far bigger culprit than purines.” Dr. Perlmutter

To combat uric acid, Dr. Perlmutter says first and foremost, we must reduce our consumption of fructose. Not necessarily fruit — but hidden fructose in condiments, fruit juices, beverages of all kinds, soft drinks, etc. Beyond that, he suggests nutritional supplements demonstrated in peer-reviewed science to be help lower Uric Acid. These few supplements can produce a dramatic drop in uric acid in just a few weeks.

Dr. Robert Lustig, American pediatric endocrinologist says:

  • “Uric acid can be used as an indirect measure of fructose levels.”

  • “The more sugar you consume, the higher your uric acid level goes.”

  • “As fructose consumption increases, uric acid levels go up, blood pressure rises, and the risk of stroke is increased”

In his latest book, Drop Acid: The Surprising New Science of Uric Acid – The Key to Losing Weight, Controlling Blood Sugar, and Achieving Extraordinary Health, Dr. David Perlmutter says that even small uric acid elevations can have dangerous long-term consequences if left unchecked. People will do themselves a world of good by dropping acid — uric acid, that is.

The metabolism of fructose leads to the production of uric acid. And this is why fructose is such a powerful health threat.

Where do we find Fructose?

Fructose is 50% of table sugar. Fructose is added now via high fructose corn syrup to more than 60% of all packaged foods at the grocery store. Because we like sweet flavor.

Fructose is the most widely used sweetener in the world. Fructose is added to more that 60% of our grocery store foods. So, there’s plenty of opportunity these days to consume fructose sugar.

It’s not simply a problem of PURINES.
The Big Problem is HIDDEN FRUCTOSE.”
Dr. Perlmutter. 

The 6-Step Solution to Reduce Uric Acid

  1. Dramatically reduce sweets, processed carbohydrates, fruits, fruit juices, and all sugars in processed foods.
  2. Follow an Alkaline Diet, and take ½ teaspoon baking soda 1-2 times daily in a bit of water.
  3. Reduce alcohol, especially beer.
  4. Measure your Uric Acid at home, using any test kit, such as EASYTOUCH GCU BLOOD URIC ACID TEST STRIP, 25 STRIPS/BOX available worldwide.
  5. Limit consumption of meat, high purine animal foods, like organ meats and scallops.
  6. Take these Five Key Supplements for Reducing Uric Acid according to Dr. Perlmutter:
    1. Luteolin:                                         100 mg/day
    2. Quercetin:                                      500 mg/day
    3. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 1,000 mg/day
    4. Vitamin C:                                     500 mg/day
    5. Chlorella                                        1,200 mg/day

What Can I Eat to Reduce Uric Acid?

  • Whole, Fresh, Unprocessed Foods
  • Low-Sugar Fruits: apples, oranges, lemons, limes, berries
  • Vegetables: broccoli, kale, potatoes, zucchini, carrots, garlic, onions, Brussels sprouts
  • Nuts: almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, cashews
  • Seeds: chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
  • Legumes: beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts
  • Whole grains: oats, millet, quinoa, couscous, farro, buckwheat, barley
  • Dairy products: milk, yogurt, cheese, kefir, grass-fed butter
  • Eggs: egg yolks and whites
  • Herbs and spices: cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, ginger, coriander, oregano, basil
  • Unsweetened Beverages: water, tea, coffee

Avoid Foods that Increase Uric Acid

  • Sugars: high-fructose corn syrup, agave syrup, honey, palm sugar, brown sugar, white sugar
  • Refined carbohydrates: cake, cookies, crackers, white bread, pasta
  • Condiments: Sweet & Sour Sauce, Ketchup, Peanut Sauce, Dips
  • Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, fruit juice, sports drinks, sweet tea
  • Alcohol: beer, wine, liquor
  • Organ meats: kidneys, tripe, liver, sweetbread, tongue
  • Seafood: anchovies, trout, haddock, herring, sardines, tuna, mackerel
  • Red meat: beef, lamb, pork
  • Processed meat: ham, hot dogs, salami, bologna, jerky

Sources of Fructose are Everywhere!

  1. Sugar (50% Fructose, Glucose is the other 50%)
  2. Fructose
  3. High-fructose corn syrup
  4. Honey
  5. Brown sugar
  6. Palm or coconut sugar
  7. Agave syrup
  8. Confectioner’s sugar
  9. Maple syrup
  10. Molasses
  11. Sorghum sweetener
  12. Brown rice syrup
  13. Candy
  14. M&M’s
  15. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  16. Vitamin Gummies
  17. Fruit juice, esp Grape juice
  18. Colas, all soft drinks
  19. Cake, cupcakes, desserts
  20. Condiments and dips
  21. Salad Dressings
  22. Soft Drink
  23. Apple Juice
  24. Sprite
  25. Dried fruit
  26. Ginger Ale
  27. Coconut water
  28. Cookies
  29. Acai berry drink
  30. Cherry or cranberry drink
  31. Any Tea sweetened
  32. Chips
  33. Apples
  34. Grapes
  35. Strawberry juice
  36. Pomegranate juice
  37. Dried Cranberries
  38. Tartar sauce
  39. Teriyaki Sauce
  40. Ketchup
  41. Raisins
  42. Sweet corn
  43. Pears
  44. Peach
  45. Bananas
  46. Mangos
  47. Dates
  48. Ice cream toppings
  49. Jams & Jellies
  50. Sweet wines
  51. Grapefruit juice
  52. Canned Tomato Puree
  53. Lime or Lemon Drinks
  54. Energy drinks
  55. Orange juice
  56. Figs
  57. Barbecue Sauce
  58. Papaya
  59. Mayonnaise
  60. Melon
  61. Red Bull Drink
  62. Dates
  63. Chocolates
  64. Sweet pickles
  65. Breakfast cereals
  66. Frozen foods
  67. Boxed dinners


Many Scientific Studies Indicate Danger of Fructose

“Excessive fructose consumption is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. Both conditions are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Uric acid synthesis is linked biochemically to fructose metabolism, thus the widespread consumption of this monosaccharide has been related to steady increasing levels of serum uric acid during the past few decades. Recent evidence has suggested that uric acid may act as a cardiorenal toxin. In this regard, experimental studies have suggested that the primary noxious effect of uric acid occurs inside the cell and is likely the stimulation of oxidative stress. More studies to disclose the harmful mechanisms associated with increasing intracellular uric acid levels after a fructose load are warranted.”

Which Fruits are Low in Fructose Sugar?

 

Control Body pH and Manage STRESS to Reduce Uric Acid

To alkalinize the body and reduce uric acid, we can eat according to the pH diet. We can also take Baking Soda to alkalinize the body quickly, reducing the risk of high uric acid. Sodium bicarbonate can prevent the formation of uric acid kidney stones and can help dissolve existing uric acid stones. Sodium bicarbonate makes the urine less acidic, so crystal formation less likely. Crystals develop when urine concentrations of minerals and other dissolved substances get so high that the minerals can no longer remain dissolved.

STRESS can also cause body acidity. It’s all connected. So when we reduce our stress responses, we are automatically controlling uric acid. 

Dr. S. K. Hariachar, a nephrologist who oversees the Renal Hypertension Unit in Tampa, Florida stated, upon seeing the research on bicarbonate and kidney disease, “I am glad to see confirmation of what we have known for so long. I have been treating my kidney and gout patients with bicarbonate for many years in attempts to delay the need for dialysis, and now we finally have a legitimate study to back us up. Not only that, we have the added information that some people already on dialysis can reverse their condition with the use of sodium bicarbonate.”

“Studies conducted at the University of Bari in Italy clearly demonstrated that a hallmark of all tumors, regardless of their origin or background, is their acidic environment. In fact, tumor progression increased with an acidic pH.”

What Foods Are High in Purines?

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