Simple Teaching: Uric Acid

What is Uric Acid?

Before you start taking actions to lower uric acid levels naturally, it's important to understand what uric acid is, where it comes from, why high levels can lead to gout, and why you need to reduce high uric acid levels in the blood.

So, first things first: What is uric acid?

• Uric acid is a by-product of the chemical breakdown of compounds called purines that exist in our bodies' cells and in our food. Purines are very important to us because they provide energy and protein, among other important components. During those processes, uric acid is produced in the bloodstream.
• Uric acid is good for us because it acts as an antioxidant and helps look after the internal linings of our blood vessels. It's our kidneys' job to process the uric acid produced and excrete waste out of our bodies through our urine, or also a little through our stools.

Foods that contain high levels of purine

What Causes High Uric Acid in Blood?

While the kidneys usually maintain uric acid at healthy levels, there are times when they are unable to do this. In turn, what results is that excess uric acid is retained in, and circulates in, the blood.

Two of the main causes for high uric acid levels in blood are:

• The kidneys aren't working to their full potential. They are unable to process and expel sufficient uric acid quickly enough, or
• There is too much uric acid being produced by the metabolizing purines for healthy kidneys to process.

Reduced Kidney Function

Whatever is the case, the result is high uric acid in the blood.

What is the Result of High Uric Acid Levels in the Body?

• Hyperuricemia: High uric acid levels in the blood is a condition known as hyperuricemia. Over time, this can lead to the production of uric acid crystals. Technically speaking, these are crystals of monosodium urate, which can settle in the joints, tendons and surrounding tissue.

• The body reacts defensively. The crystals are needle-like in shape and are looked upon as foreign objects by the body's natural defenses. In turn, the body's natural anti-inflammatory processes working against these crystals are what actually cause gout symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, inflammation, stiffness, and very great pain.

Uric acid crystals observed under microscope

These are the symptoms of a gout attack. In other words, high uric acid can lead to gout, which is why it's important to decrease uric acid levels in the body.

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