High Uric Acid Levels in Blood: Causes

and Remedies
by PETER BRANNEY Last Updated: Aug 14, 2017

Uric acid is a chemical produced in the body during the final step of purine
metabolism. Uric acid is toxic and it is normally extracted from the blood by
the kidneys, which then deliver it for excretion in urine. If the body produces
excessive amounts of uric acid or is unable to remove it, health complications
can occur. A high concentration of uric acid in the blood is known as
hyperuricemia, which can lead to kidney stones and gout.

Genetics
Several genetic mutations have been discovered in the genes encoding the
proteins responsible for excreting uric acid through the kidneys. The majority
of these mutations are present in genes of the solute carrier family, such as
SLC2A9 and SLC17A1. These mutations are associated with a number of
metabolic diseases, but patients will normally suffer similar consequences,
such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and gout.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart

disease and diabetes. Hyperuricemia is a common finding in patients with
metabolic syndrome. Although the reasons for this link are unclear, a
correlation between the two conditions has been known for some time. The
global increase in metabolic syndrome, as well as associated heart disease
and diabetes, has lead to an increase in the incidence of hyperuricemia.

Diet

Because uric acid is a product of purine metabolism, a purine-rich diet

increases your risk of developing hyperuricemia. Purines are particularly
abundant in meat and meat products, especially offal. Examples of purine-rich
foods include sweetbreads, liver, beef kidneys, game meats, anchovies,
sardines, mackerel, and scallops. Consumption of excess amounts of alcohol
and salt are also known to contribute to hyperuricemia.

Remedies for High Uric Acid

There are a variety of drugs that can be used to help hyperuricemia patients.
People with gout are often given drugs to help with the pain, such as
nonsteroidal anit-inflammtory drugs. Drugs that help to clear excess uric acid
from the blood include xanthine oxidase inhibitors and uricosuric medications.
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors block the production of uric acid through the
inhibition of purine metabolism, whereas uricosuric drugs target the kidneys,
increasing the excretion of uric acid from the blood.