Uric Acid Supplements in Malaysia: The Best Comparison

Uric acid is a by-product of the normal function of the liver and is excreted in the urine. Uric acid levels are known to increase with age, and they can also be affected by lifestyle or certain medical conditions.

Uric acid reduction supplements are a popular and affordable way to reduce the risk of gout. However, there is no single best uric acid supplement for everyone. This article compares and shares the information on the most common uric acid supplements available in Malaysia's market.

Table of content:

1. What is uric acid, and what does it do?

2. What causes uric acid to become dangerous?

3. Uric acid level: What is normal?

4. Ways to reduce uric acid naturally without drugs

5. Uric acid supplements in Malaysia: The comparison!

6. Alkalizing salt

7. Celery

8. Tart cherry

9. Terminalia bellerica (Ayuric®)

10. Conclusion

What Is Uric Acid, and What Does It Do?

Uric acid is a byproduct of the chemical breakdown of purines, which are found in many foods. It is produced when the body metabolizes protein. Uric acid is eliminated from the body through the kidneys and urine.

Uric acid is a natural antioxidant and helps to protect cells from damage. It also helps to break down and remove toxins from the body.

What Causes Uric Acid to Become Dangerous?

When there is too much uric acid in the blood, it can build up and form crystals in the body. High uric acid concentration can lead to uric acid crystals forming in the joints, causing gout.

A high level of the uric acid crystal in long term can also be dangerous for the heart and kidneys. It can cause kidney stones and lead to chronic kidney disease. Uric acid can also make plaque deposits in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Uric Acid Levels: What Is Normal?

Normal uric acid levels are different for men and women.

Gender	​Male	Female
Uric acid range	​4.0-8.5 mg/dL or 0.24-0.51 mmol/L	2.7-7.3 mg/dL or 0.16-0.43 mmol/L

Ways To Reduce Uric Acid Naturally Without Drugs

Lifestyle modification

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Exercise regularly

• Lose weight if you're overweight

• Limit your intake of high-purine foods

• Avoid alcohol

Taking a supplement to manage uric acid levels

Uric Acid Supplements in Malaysia: The Comparison!

There are several different types of uric acid supplements available in Malaysia. Here are some comparisons of popular uric acid supplements in the market:

1. Alkalizing salt

Alkalizing salt can help to reduce uric acid levels by alkalizing the body. This means that it helps to balance pH levels and makes the body less acidic.

​Pros:	​Cons:
In powder form. User friendly for those doesn't like to swallow tablets.	High dosage: 1 to 2 sachets, 3-4 times daily
Nice taste.	​According to the prescribing information, may not be suitable for kidney and heart problem patients to take long term.
	​With high sodium content, users are advised to take with low sodium diet during taking the course of alkalizing salt treatment.

Current alkalizing salt products available in Malaysia's market:

• Ural effervescent granules

• Clearogout

2. Celery

Celery is a diuretic that can help to lower uric acid levels in the blood. Diuretics work by increasing the amount of water and sodium that are expelled from the body through urination. This helps to reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood.

​Pros:	​Cons:
​By removing excess uric acid through the urine through its diuretic effects. Some gout patients can get fast gout relief.	Since celery is a natural diuretic. Therefore people with kidney problems should monitor their celery intake, as excessive consumption might put extra strain on their kidneys.
​May be beneficial for high blood pressure patients. Celery contains a phytochemical called phthalides. It relaxes the tissues of the artery walls to increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure.	Some people are allergic to celery. Allergic reactions can range from skin rashes to anaphylaxis.
	May feel disturbing by frequent toilet visits.

Current celery supplements available in Malaysia's market:

• Natural Factor celery seed extract

• Bio-life celery seed extract

• Blackmore celery

• Vitahealth celery plus

3. Tart Cherry

Tart cherries are a natural source of anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants. In addition to their antioxidant properties, anthocyanins have been shown to help reduce inflammation in gout.

​Pros:	Cons:
Available in liquid, powder and capsule form.	The inconsistent result on the effectiveness of tart cherries in reducing the uric acid level in gout patients. This can be due to it helping reduce the inflammation and not really reducing serum uric acid levels.
Some studies show tart cherry aid in better sleep.

Current tart cherry supplements available in Malaysia's market:

• Lakewood pure tart cherry juice

• Gouch tart cherry plus extract powder & bromelain sachet

• Solaray, Tart Cherry Fruit Extract

4. Terminalia bellerica (Ayuric®)

Terminalia bellerica is a commonly used Ayurvedic herb in India and is one of the components of a very popular product on the market, called Triphala.

Though you may have never heard of Triphala, It’s a staple in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India that has been used as a healing remedy for over 1,000 years. Some common usage include: heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and premature ageing

Ayuric® is the trade name of a tannin-rich extract, derived from the edible fruit of the Terminalia bellerica tree, it is thought to inhibit xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of uric acid.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial recently confirmed Terminalia bellerica extract's dose-dependent action in lowering uric acid levels in the blood.

The study showed that 500 mg Terminalia bellerica extract, taken twice daily, reduced uric acid by a mean of 27.59% in volunteers with elevated levels.

This reduction in uric acid levels allowed 88.8% of those in the extract-treated study arm to achieve the desired uric acid serum levels...with no negative side effects.

Pros:	Cons:
Undergo human clinical study proved its effectiveness in reducing uric acid levels.	​It may take 2-3 months to reach the optimal result.
The study does a comparison with febuxostat, a common uric acid lowering medicine used for gout patients.
Identified mechanism of action, its potent tannins appear to inhibit an enzyme (xanthine oxidase) involved in the synthesis of uric acid.
​An ayurvedic herb that has been used for over 1000 years with a good safety profile.

Current Terminalia bellerica (Ayuric®) supplement available in Malaysia's market:

• The PrimAGE CrystaGuard

Conclusion

It is evident that there are many different brands and types of uric acid supplements available in Malaysia. It can be difficult to decide which one to choose. By providing some research and your personal reading of the reviews, it is possible for you to find the right supplement for you.

Related read:

1. Is Gout and Osteoarthritis Interrelated?

2. CrystaGuard - triple herbs combo (Ayuric®, Boswellia & Turmeric)

3. 6 Strange Gout Facts You Probably Didn't Know

Medical Disclaimer

The contents of this article are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

6 Strange Gout Facts You Probably Didn't Know

A gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and swelling in the joints. The condition is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Although gout is not a common condition, gout does affect million of the population worldwide. Here are 6 strange facts about gout that you may not know:

1. Gout is More Common in Men:

Gout is more common in men than women. This is likely because the protective effects of estrogen are absent in men. Estrogen appears to decrease uric acid levels and protect the joints from inflammation. Additionally, men are more likely to have high blood pressure and obesity, both of which are risk factors for gout.

2. Eating Red Meat Isn't The Only Thing That Causes Gout:

Foods that are high in purines, like red meat, can increase the risk of gout, but they are not the only cause. Other factors that can increase your risk include obesity, drinking alcohol, and having a family history of gout.

3. Gout Can Affect Anyone at Any Age:

Gout can also occur in young people who have not yet reached adulthood. In fact, gout is becoming increasingly common in young people. This may be due to the trend towards eating more high-purine foods, such as red meat and seafood.

4. Gout Can Cause Serious Health Problems If It's Not Treated:

If you have gout, it's important to get it treated. Left untreated, gout can cause serious health problems. These health problems may include:

-Kidney stones

-Joint damage

-Heart disease

-High blood pressure

5. Some People With Gout Experience No Symptoms At All:

Gout is a type of arthritis that results when uric acid levels in the blood become too high. For many people, gout causes severe pain and swelling in the joints. But for some people, gout can cause no symptoms at all. In fact, up to 50 per cent of people with gout may not experience any symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic gout. However, this doesn't mean that this group of people will not have other health conditions due to constant high uric acid levels.

6. Gout Does Not Only Occur In Big Toe:

Many people believe that gout is most commonly found in the big toe area. It can also affect other joints, including the ankle, knee, and elbow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, here are five strange facts about gout you may not have known. Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints. It can cause severe pain, inflammation, and swelling. Some people may be more at risk for developing gout than others. There are some things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting gout, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. To manage body uric acid levels for long-term health benefits, you can take supplements like CrystaGuard.

Related read:

1. Is uric acid causing your knee pain?

2. How can a triple herb supplement maintain healthy uric acid levels?

3. Uric Acid Supplements in Malaysia: The Best Comparison

Is Gout and Osteoarthritis Interrelated?

You might think you have osteoarthritis (OA) if your knee is swollen and stiff, but it could also be gout. Both illnesses have a lot in common, just like many near relatives. You might be unsure which one is causing your symptoms because they typically occur jointly together.

OA is a degenerative condition that causes the cartilage that cushions bones to break down over time. It affects joints such as the knees, hips, fingers, lower back, and neck, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Uric acid crystals form in the joints of people who have gout. Gout most commonly affects the big toe joint, however, it can also affect the ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. Gout patients with high uric acid levels may affect other body organs as well.

Knowing which problem you have, or whether you have both gout and osteoarthritis—can assist your doctor in fine-tuning your treatment.

Gout and OA are frequently coexist

People with uric acid deposits in their joints are more likely to get OA in those same joints, according to a study by Duke University Medical Center. Gout patients are also more likely to develop severe OA. According to researchers, uric acid crystals may induce an inflammatory response that causes OA joint degeneration.

On the other hand, those with osteoarthritis can be triggered to acquire gout also. One explanation is that OA causes joint deterioration, which produces an environment that favours the formation of uric acid deposits.

The same inflammatory processes that damage joints could underlie both OA and gout. And the two conditions share a few common risk factors—including obesity. Extra weight both increases the production of uric acid and puts more strain on joints.

How to know whether I have gout or OA?

Despite the fact that gout and OA can affect the same joints at the same time, there are techniques for your doctor to distinguish between the two. Gout is characterised by bouts of pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in a single joint, most commonly the big toe. While OA is more chronic, waxing and waning in nature, it does not begin as abruptly as gout.

If your symptoms don't reveal the source of your joint pain, your doctor can conduct tests to discover if you have excessive uric acid levels in the affected joint.

Treating Gout and OA

Other than relying on medication such as pain killers, treatment for gout and OA relies heavily on lifestyle changes. Restricting high purine foods and weight loss can avoid high uric acid levels and relieve strain on the painful joints.

It is critical for gout patients to keep their uric acid levels under control at all times. Although OA was often thought to be an untreatable disease of passive degeneration, the efficacy of urate-lowering medications or supplements used to treat hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis may be useful in the preventive treatment of OA. Find out the comparison of uric acid supplements available in Malaysia.

Related read:

1. CrystaGuard triple helps formulation maintain healthy uric acid level.

2. Excessive uric acid is linked to kidney damage.

3. Men over 40 with low libido can be due to low testosterone.