What is Uric Acid
It's very likely that you've heard of uric acid but do you know exactly what it is and what problems it can cause? This chemical is produced in our bodies when we digest purine, a substance found in certain foods and drinks. Excessive levels of uric acid have a negative impact on our health and therefore, we need to control and reduce our intake of these foods if we eat too many. To answer any questions you may have, at OneHowTo we answer your question: what is uric acid?
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What is uric acid?
Uric acid forms almost non-soluble solid whitish crystals made out of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen, which when accumulated produces kidney stones and other conditions such as gout.
It is a substance produced by the human body to break down the substance called purine. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood and travels to the kidneys, where it is excreted through urine. This chemical in itself is not a problem, but when the body produces too much uric acid or can't remove enough of it, this is when it can have negative consequences.
Excess uric acid
High levels of uric acid in the blood is called hyperuricaemia and is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints, producing inflammation in these areas. This is what is known as gout and it causes strong attacks of pain to those who suffer from it. Therefore we must keep our levels of uric acid within the recommended range to avoid these negative side effects that come as a result of high uric acid. Check here to find out what are normal levels of uric acid.
Under normal conditions, a third of the uric acid inside our bodies comes from food and the other two thirds from our internal metabolism process. So excess uric acid may be due to poor nutrition (eating too many foods rich in purine), or due to your body producing too much or having difficulty removing it. People who are prone to having high uric acid should know what foods are good for lowering uric acid.
People who are prone to high uric acid
In general, people who are most likely to have high levels of uric acid are:
- Male
- Have a family history of gout
- Regularly consume alcohol
Likewise, these factors can greatly increase uric acid:
- Caffeine consumption
- Stress
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- Obesity, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol
If you are not sure if you have uric acid you can take a look at the symptoms of uric acid.
Treating uric acid
To control the levels of uric acid it is necessary to undergo blood tests to determine whether your levels are high. If so, the doctor will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment, which will most likely involve changes in your eating habits and a prescription to regulate this chemical. Thus, we recommend reading our articles:
- How to lower uric acid
- What foods are good for lowering uric acid
- Vegetables that are good for lowering uric acid
- Fruits to lower uric acid
- Natural remedies to reduce uric acid levels
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to What is Uric Acid, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
