Do you know what uric acid is? If you’ve ever suffered from gout or other joint pain, chances are you have. Uric acid is the waste product of purines – found in our body cells and in some foods we eat – but when its level is too high, it can become problematic for your health. The high level of uric acid causes a whole host of problems, including pain and inflammation. It is therefore important to understand all the factors that contribute to an increase in its rate. In this article, we will discuss 7 things that help explain why a person may have excessive amounts of uric acid in their system. Read on to find out more!
Diet :
An unhealthy or high purine diet can contribute to high uric acid levels. Purine is a type of natural chemical compound found in certain foods, including red meats, organ meats, and shellfish. Excessive consumption of these purine-rich foods can increase the amount of uric acid in the body, leading to higher than normal levels. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption has also been associated with higher levels of uric acid in the blood because it increases the rate of metabolism of proteins that contain purines.
Obesity:
Being overweight or obese can also contribute to elevated uric acid levels. This is because fat cells produce an enzyme called leptin that helps regulate the metabolism of purine-containing proteins and has been linked to higher levels of uric acid in the blood. Additionally, being overweight increases the risk of kidney stones and gout due to increased inflammation and decreased excretion by the kidneys, which exacerbates high uric acid levels.
Medications :
Certain medications used for certain illnesses, such as beta-blockers and anti-tuberculosis drugs, can increase the amount of uric acid produced by your body or reduce the rate at which it is eliminated from your system. This results in higher concentrations in the bloodstream over time. Additionally, some diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide can reduce renal excretion, which can lead to high blood uric acid levels, although they are usually prescribed to manage hypertension.
Genetics:
Certain genetic factors have also been linked to high uric acid levels, such as variations in genes associated with glucose metabolism and how efficiently purines are broken down into other compounds by your body instead of being left behind. untreated. Which leads to high levels in your bloodstream over time. Additionally, certain inherited disorders involving certain enzymes can cause excessive production rates, thus contributing to high levels in your system.
The stress :
Elevated amounts of stress have been associated with upregulation of inflammatory activities and cortisol which then has downstream effects on glucose intolerance and purine metabolism resulting in elevated uric acid production at the over time, both acutely during periods of stress and chronically if long-lasting episodes continue without appropriate coping mechanisms or relaxation techniques being regularly implemented as part of the mode of life to help mitigate these negative effects on the general physiological state.
Renal failure :
Kidney failure can lead to high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream due to improper waste excretion. When the kidneys are unable to effectively filter and eliminate uric acid through the urine, the excess is reabsorbed into the body and causes uric acid levels to rise. This phenomenon is often seen in people with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, who have a reduced ability to filter waste.
Age:
With age, the kidneys become less and less efficient at filtering excessive levels of uric acid from the bloodstream. This means that older people tend to have more uric acid buildup in their bodies than younger people. It is therefore important for older people to be aware of the risk factors associated with high uric acid levels, as well as the steps they can take to manage these risks.
