How I Fitness as a Hyperuricemia Sufferer
It seems that fitness and low uric acid are hard to coexist, but I’ve taken these measures to help me avoid spiking my uric acid levels while exercising.
Fitness can cause a rise in lactic acid in the blood, and this can impede the excretion of uric acid. Additionally, fitness leads to more sweating, but uric acid is not expelled through sweat — it is eliminated through urine.
So, does this mean we shouldn’t fitness at all? As someone trying to lose weight, relying solely on aerobic exercise to burn fat without building muscle and boosting metabolism is just treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Metabolism is key for long-term fat loss, and too much aerobic exercise can actually consume muscle and damage metabolism.
So, how should one fitness then? Here are my experiences as a hyperuricemia sufferer — I’m not a medical professional, so take this as anecdotal:
First, drink lots of water. Especially in large, single servings, as this can trigger a diuretic response and allow for better uric acid elimination through urine.
Second, avoid protein powder — get protein from whole food sources like eggs and milk instead. In addition to avoiding seafood and sugary drinks, steer clear of protein powder to keep purine intake low. Be mindful that too many carbs can also raise uric acid and cholesterol levels.
Third, do some aerobic exercise after your strength training. The aerobic work can help metabolize the byproducts of anaerobic exercise that can elevate uric acid.
I hope all hyperuricemia-afflicted would-be muscle monsters can achieve their fitness dreams with these tips!
