Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines in foods. It is produced from xanthine by the enzyme xanthine oxidase and is the highest concentration of antioxidants in human blood. In animals it is further broken down into allantoin but in humans and primates, the urate oxidase gene is non-functional, so it remains as uric acid.
The reason for this development in primates and humans may be because it acts as a powerful antioxidant and can help to fight disease and reduce the oxidative stress caused by high-altitude hypoxia thus giving early primates and humans an advantage over other mammals.
Over production of uric acid in a high protein diet, however, can cause damage and gout is one common outcome. High levels of uric acid in the blood, also called hyperuricaemia, can result from either increased production of uric acid in the body or decreased excretion of it through the kidneys and can lead to other problems such as like arthritis, gout, bladder and kidney stones and kidney failure.
Recent studies have also associated high blood uric acid levels with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Causes of a high uric acid level in the blood include diuretic medications (water retention relievers) and drinking too much alcohol.
Low levels of uric acid are implicated in individuals that develop multiple sclerosis and individuals with hyperuricemia (gout) rarely develop multiple sclerosis.
Natural sources of uric acid are high-purine foods.
Highest natural sources of high-purine foods in alphabetical order
- Alcohol especially distilled liquors and beer including non-alcoholic beers
- Anchovies
- Beef
- Herring
- Lamb
- Mussels
- Offal meat (kidney, liver and sweetbreads)
- Sardines
- Trout
- Tuna
- Venison
- Yeast extracts found in some processed foods like frozen dinners and gravies
NOTE: Processed foods and drinks with added high-fructose corn syrup and other added sugars can increase uric acid levels.
Moderately high natural sources of purines in alphabetical order
- Asparagus
- Cauliflower
- Chicken
- Crab
- Ham
- Lobster
- Mushrooms
- Oats
- Oysters
- Pork
- Rabbit
- Shrimp
- Spinach
- Wheat bran
How to flush out excess uric acid
Plain water helps kidneys flush out excess uric acid, lowering the chances of crystal buildup in the joints. Unsweetened drinks and decaffeinated herbal teas can also help.
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