Uric Acid and Hyperuricemia
A Silent Threat to Your Health
Uric acid is a natural substance our bodies produce as part of normal metabolism. It's formed when the body breaks down a substance called purine, which is found in certain foods and produced by our cells. Uric acid is then processed by the kidneys and excreted in our urine.
Our body uses uric acid as an antioxidant, which helps neutralize harmful chemicals called free radicals that can damage our cells. This is a vital role because it helps protect our cells from oxidative stress and keeps them healthy. That's the good news.
The bad news is that too much uric acid in the blood can lead to hyperuricemia, which may cause problems like gout, a painful form of arthritis caused by urate crystal deposits in the joints. These crystals trigger inflammation, leading to red, swollen, and extremely tender joints.
But gout may be the canary in the coal mine.
Elevated uric acid levels have also been implicated in cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown a link between hyperuricemia and an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. It appears that uric acid's role as a pro-oxidant can contribute to oxidative stress, damaging blood vessels and promoting atherosclerosis.
Additionally, hyperuricemia has been associated with chronic kidney disease, insulin resistance and diabetes. High uric acid levels may lead to kidney stones and reduce kidney function, leading to complications in the long run.
The levels considered worrisome for hyperuricemia in clinical studies were:
For males: Serum uric acid (SUA) levels of 8.5 mg/dL or higher.
For females: Serum uric acid (SUA) levels of 7.5 mg/dL or higher.
Having SUA levels at or above these thresholds was associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality in both males and females. (People with higher levels died sooner.)
Causes of Hyperuricemia
Understanding the causes of elevated uric acid levels can help individuals take proactive steps to manage their health. Several factors contribute to hyperuricemia, including:
Diet: Consuming a diet rich in purine-containing foods such as red meat, organ meats, seafood, and certain vegetables like asparagus and mushrooms can increase uric acid production.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese can contribute to hyperuricemia, as excess body weight is linked to increased uric acid levels.
Dehydration: Insufficient fluid intake can reduce the kidneys' ability to excrete uric acid, leading to its accumulation.
Alcohol and Sugary Beverages: Consumption of alcohol and sugary beverages has been associated with elevated uric acid levels.
Genetics: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to produce higher uric acid levels, making them more susceptible to hyperuricemia.
Optimal Uric Acid Levels
Keeping uric acid levels within the recommended range is essential to maintain a healthy balance. While the optimal level may vary slightly depending on the laboratory reference ranges, generally, it is advised to keep serum uric acid levels below 6.0 mg/dL for men and below 5.7 mg/dL for women. These ranges help minimize the risk of gout and other related health issues.
Managing Uric Acid Levels
Thankfully, there are several lifestyle changes that individuals can adopt to manage their uric acid levels:
Dietary Modifications: Limiting the intake of purine-rich foods and incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy can help maintain healthy uric acid levels.
Healthier Foods for People with High Uric Acid Levels
Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce uric acid production and minimize the risk of hyperuricemia.
Hydration: Staying well-hydrated can help dilute uric acid levels and promote its excretion from the body.
Limit Alcohol and Sugary Beverages: Reducing alcohol and sugary drink consumption can also aid in managing uric acid levels.
Medication and Supplementation: In some cases, healthcare professionals may prescribe medications to lower uric acid levels for individuals with recurrent gout or severe hyperuricemia. A daily quercetin supplement (500 mg) taken over four weeks was shown to reduce uric acid concentrations by approximately 8%. If you want to avoid pills, you can get the same amount of quercetin by eating 3.5 ounces (100 mg) of red onion daily.
The next time you visit a doctor, ask to have your uric acid levels checked. It's essential to understand the dangers of higher uric acid levels and, if you have a problem, adopt a proactive approach to manage them.
Reference Links:
Uric Acid and Cognitive Function in Older Individuals
Claudio Tana, Andrea Ticinesi, Beatrice Prati, Antonio Nouvenne and Tiziana Meschi
Nutrients, Published online 2018 Jul 27. doi: 10.3390/nu10080975
The Influence of Serum Uric Acid on the Brain and Cognitive Dysfunction
Natasa R. Mijailovic, Katarina Vesic, and Milica M. Borovcanin
frontiers in Psychiatry, Published 2022; 13: 828476. Published online 2022 Apr 22. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.828476
Differential relationship of uric acid to mortality and clinical biomarkers of aging according to grip strength in older adults: a cohort study
Sin-Mei Guo, Yen-Tze Liu, Sin-Ru He, Ming-Shiang Wu, Wei-Ting Tseng, Ray-Chin Wu and I-Chien Wu
Impact Journals: AGING, Published 2021 Apr 15; 13(7): 10555–10583. Published online 2021 Apr 4. doi: 10.18632/aging.202820
Hyperuricemia is associated with all-cause mortality among males and females: Findings from a study on Japanese community-dwelling individuals
Asuka Kikuchi, Ryuichi Kawamoto, Daisuke Ninomiya, and Teru Kumagia
Metabolism Open, 2022 Jun; 14: 100186. Published online 2022 Apr 29. doi: 10.1016/j.metop.2022.100186
Association between serum uric acid levels and mortality: a nationwide community-based cohort study
Tsuneo Konta, Kazunobu Ichikawa, Ryo Kawasaki, Shouichi Fujimoto, Kunitoshi Iseki, Toshiki Moriyama, Kunihiro Yamagata, Kazuhiko Tsuruya, Ichiei Narita, Masahide Kondo, Yugo Shibagaki, Masato Kasahara, Koichi Asahi & Tsuyoshi Watanabe
Scientific Reports, Published 08 April 2020
Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Risk
Daniel I. Feig, M.D., Ph.D., Duk-Hee Kang, M.D., and Richard J. Johnson, M.D.
The New England Journal of Medicine - Review Article | Medical Progress, Published October 23, 2008 N Engl J Med 2008; 359:1811-1821 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra0800885
Quercetin lowers plasma uric acid in pre-hyperuricaemic males: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial
Yuanlu Shi and Gary Williamson
Cambridge University Press, Published 20 January 2016
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8/5/2023
