Around us, there are always people who have an almost demanding pursuit of health, and they work hard in the gym day after day. They are often the benchmark of health in our eyes, but the appearance of health does not necessarily mean that the inside is disease-free and pain-free.
At the age of 38, as a senior fitness instructor, his body was shaped to be as strong as an ancient Greek sculpture, however, his physical examination report - uric acid value was as high as 860μmol/L, far exceeding the upper limit of normal value, and he was finally admitted to the hospital due to kidney failure. This incident has made people start to re-examine the scenes behind those seemingly healthy lives.
1. A 38-year-old fitness trainer unexpectedly had high uric acid
38 years old is a golden age for a man, with the stability of a mature man and the vitality of youth. As a fitness trainer, he is accompanied by dumbbells and treadmills every day, and a healthy diet and regular schedule seem to have become a part of his life.
However, life is what it is, and sometimes it will give you a surprise blow that tells you that even the hardest armor has unknown cracks.
On the day of the physical examination, the uric acid value of 860μmol/L was like a hammer and smashed on his heart. He wondered, was his daily sweat and strict diet in vain? He began to wonder if he had done something wrong.
Protein powder every night, the occasional carbonated drink to satisfy cravings, and those seemingly healthy juices, these little things that seem innocuous to him, are the culprits that cause high uric acid?
2. Medical interpretation of hyperuricemia
Uric acid, a substance produced by metabolizing purines in the body, may be just an item in the annual physical examination report for most people. But when it exceeds the limit, it can trigger a chain reaction.
Medically, the uric acid value of normal men is set at 149~416μmol/L, once it exceeds this range, it means the risk of hyperuricemia.
Hyperuricemia does not develop overnight, it is the accumulation of long-term bad lifestyle habits. For example, heavy alcohol consumption and consumption of purine-rich foods (e.g., seafood, animal offal, etc.) can lead to an increase in uric acid levels.
Even some seemingly harmless foods, such as spinach and soy products, are also representatives of higher purine content. Not to mention, carbonated drinks and fruit juices with high sugar content, although they win people's love in taste, can unknowingly become invisible killers of health.
For fitness people, a high-protein diet is almost an integral part of their daily routine, and protein powder has become a powerful tool for them to gain muscle.
However, high-protein foods bring "fuel" to the muscles while also putting a burden on the kidneys. The kidneys need to dispose of this excess nitrogen waste, which can lead to damage to kidney function in the long term.
3. The dangerous association between lifestyle habits and uric acid value
Experts point out that the intake of purines in the diet is an important factor affecting blood uric acid levels. Uric acid is produced after purines are metabolized in the body, and frequent intake of high-purine foods can lead to the accumulation of uric acid, which in turn increases the risk of hyperuricemia and gout.
For example, seafood, meat, especially red meat, and organ meats, as well as some plant-based foods such as spinach and mushrooms, are all foods that are high in purines.
In addition to diet, other aspects of lifestyle are also closely related to uric acid levels. Lack of exercise slows metabolism and decreases uric acid excretion;
Excessive alcohol consumption, especially beer and spirits, can directly lead to an increase in uric acid levels. In addition, lifestyle habits such as staying up late for a long time and being stressed can also adversely affect uric acid levels.
For fitness people, a high-protein diet is the norm, but excessive protein intake will increase the burden on the kidneys and affect uric acid excretion.
The misuse of supplements such as protein powders, especially without professional guidance, can lead to abnormally high levels of uric acid. Therefore, a reasonable diet and a scientific exercise plan are essential to maintain a normal uric acid value.
4. Doctor's warning: three major contraindications before going to bed
Doctors often remind patients that bedtime habits have a profound impact on health. For people with high uric acid levels, the three major contraindications before bed are especially noteworthy.
First of all, it is not advisable to consume high-protein foods before bedtime. Having an overly rich dinner, especially foods high in protein, will increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys at night and affect the normal excretion of uric acid. Second, avoid carbonated drinks and high-fructose drinks before bedtime.
The sugars and additives in these drinks not only cause blood sugar fluctuations, but may also increase uric acid production. Finally, you should not hold your urine before bedtime. Holding urine increases the pressure on the urinary system, which is not conducive to the excretion of uric acid, and may lead to impaired kidney function in the long term.
Doctors emphasize that good bedtime habits are essential for maintaining good health. Relaxing music, a good book, or even a glass of warm water are better options.
The period before bed should be a time to relax and prepare for a good night's sleep, not a time to add a burden to the body.
5. The hidden connection between lack of sleep and uric acid value
In the stillness of the night, many people choose to fill it with work and play, ignoring the importance of sleep to the body. Studies have shown that there is a non-negligible link between sleep deprivation and elevated uric acid levels.
Long-term lack of sleep will lead to the body's metabolic rhythm disorder, which in turn affects the normal metabolism of purines, so that uric acid cannot be effectively excreted from the body, and accumulates in the blood to form hyperuricemia.
Sleep deprivation can also cause metabolic syndrome, a range of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including elevated uric acid levels.
Patients with metabolic syndrome often have symptoms such as increased waist circumference, increased blood pressure, and increased blood sugar levels, which may be caused by chronic inflammatory response and endocrine disorders.
Therefore, ensuring adequate and high-quality sleep can not only reduce uric acid levels, but also effectively prevent the occurrence of related metabolic diseases.
summary
Uric acid, a metabolite that flows quietly in our body, is directly related to our health. And the seemingly insignificant little things in life can be a key factor in affecting uric acid levels.
A healthy life requires us to manage it carefully, and every reasonable dietary choice, every night of high-quality sleep, and every moderate exercise are all deep love and care for the body. Let's make a healthy lifestyle a habit from now on, for the health of ourselves and our families, and stay away from hyperuricemia.