What Exactly is Uric Acid?

Uric Acid is produced when our bodies metabolically breakdown a substance called purine that is found in certain foods.

 

Uric Acid is then carried to the liver and into the blood. Most of the uric acid will pass through our kidneys and will then leave the body as urine.

Uric acid often only becomes a problem when our bodies are producing too much or our kidneys are not eliminating uric acid quickly enough.

An excess of uric acid or hyperuricemia can accumulate in the tissues which could then form crystals in certain joints. This may cause high uric acid levels in our blood.

Elevated levels of uric acid in our bodies can lead to certain symptoms such as kidney stones, gout, arthritis, stiff joints and muscle pain. Factors that can cause elevated levels of uric acid are alcohol, genetics, purine rich foods, obesity, renal insufficiency, chemotherapy and certain cancers.

Lowering our bodies uric acid levels can help to prevent the painful systems of hyperuricemia.