Stealthy Dangers of High Uric Acid

Lurking below the radar of the average annual blood test are the insidious health concerns of high uric acid levels – which now affects 21 percent of all Americans. (1)

Most doctor’s only check uric acid levels when a patient comes in complaining of swollen, painful joints most commonly in the area of the big toe from a build-up of uric acid. Uric acid can also build up in the foot, wrist, fingers, elbows and knees.

In recent years, the average uric acid levels have risen sharping. The impact of rising uric acid levels has been linked to heart and arterial health, optimal circulation to and from the brain, blood sugar concerns, obesity, kidney health and early mortality. (1,2,3)

High uric acid levels have also been associated with an array of symptoms commonly seen in those with blood sugar concerns, such as: (3)

• Abdominal obesity
• High triglycerides
• Low HDLs
• Blood pressure concerns
• Blood sugar concerns

Interestingly, a diet high in processed foods has been linked to high uric acid levels (4), and a processed food diet has been linked to a 141 percent increase in the above 5 parameters. (5)

The rise of uric acid levels goes mostly unnoticed. I highly recommend it to be a requested part of your annual blood work.

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Why Your Uric Acid Levels Matter

The Magic of Triphala for Uric Acid

Triphala is an Ayurvedic formulation most known for supporting healthy bowel movements. It is a combination of three fruits:

1. Amalaki – Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica officinalis
2. Bibhitaki – Terminalia belerica
3. Haritaki – Terminalia chebula

In double-blind placebo studies, standardized aqueous extracts of two out of three of these fruits have been shown to positively affect uric acid levels. In one study, bibhitaki and haritaki were evaluated on their uric acid-lowering potential. A 500mg dose of haritaki extract vs. a 500mg dose of bibhitaki extract positively affected serum uric acid levels by 16.02% vs. 27.59% respectively. (6)

The new accepted target for healthy uric acid levels has been lowered down from 7 to below 6mg/dL.

In the same study, 88.8% of the group that took 500mg of bibhitaki extract and 22.2% of the group that took 500mg of haritaki extract attained uric acid levels below 6 mg/dL. (6)

A standardized aqueous extract of amalaki has also shown to support healthy uric acid levels in animal models. In one study, amalaki extract supplementation reduced platelet counts, serum creatinine, serum uric acid levels, blood urea nitrogen, and the free radical Xanthine oxidase enzyme level, along with significant improvements in histological (cellular) structure of the kidneys. (7)

Triphala has been used for thousands of years to support healthy intestinal function – which we know is intimately linked to healthy liver and kidney function. Consider triphala as support for optimal health in these areas.