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Summary
Understanding uric acid levels is crucial for maintaining optimal cardiometabolic health. Elevated uric acid is linked to numerous health issues, including high blood pressure, obesity, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Michele Couri discusses how diet, medications, and lifestyle choices impact uric acid levels and emphasizes the importance of regular testing. Learn more about managing your uric acid and improving your overall well-being by scheduling an appointment at the Couri Center.
Ten Facts You Need to Know About Uric Acid By Dr. Michele A. Couri, FACOG, ABIHM
- Understanding Uric Acid and Cardiometabolic Health
Uric acid is a compound found in the blood that can give us insight into our cardiometabolic health. You may have heard of uric acid as it pertains to a painful condition called gout, but it is much more indicative of our health than most people are aware of. - Health Risks of Elevated Uric Acid
Elevated uric acid has been associated with elevated blood pressure, obesity, insulin resistance, elevated blood glucose, gut inflammation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease, and increased risk of dementia. Elevated uric acid disrupts insulin function, promotes fat storage, and increases inflammation. - Dietary Sources of Uric Acid
Sources of uric acid can be found in our diet through fructose (think high fructose corn syrup), alcohol (especially beer), and purines from organ meats and certain types of seafood. - Fructose and Uric Acid Levels
Most of the elevated cases of uric acid that we see today are secondary to the excessive intake of fructose in the forms of high fructose corn syrup, which is ubiquitous in ultra-processed foods and in sugary beverages such as soda and juices. Fructose is metabolized directly into uric acid in our bodies. - Medications and Uric Acid
Medications that can raise uric acid include aspirin, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors (acid blockers), beta-blockers, niacin, levodopa, theophylline, and xylitol (a sugar alcohol that is commonly used in “health foods”). - Optimal Uric Acid Levels
Optimal levels of uric acid are <5.5 mg/dL. For every point elevation of uric acid above 7.0 mg/dL, there is an 8-13% increased risk of all-cause mortality. - Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Risk
Numerous studies have shown a relationship between elevated uric acid and increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease mortality. - Uric Acid and Nitric Oxide Function
Uric acid compromises the function of nitric oxide in our bodies, and compromised nitric oxide can cause elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance, and in men, erectile dysfunction. - Dietary Recommendations to Lower Uric Acid
Eating a colorful, plant-rich, fiber-rich diet that incorporates healthy sources of animal protein and minimizes ultra-processed food and minimizes the intake of fructose (except what is found in fruit) is helpful to lower uric acid levels. - Supplements to Lower Uric Acid
Supplements that can help lower uric acid include quercetin (500 mg per day), Vitamin C (500-1,000 mg per day), luteolin (100 mg per day), and DHA.
How Do I Get My Uric Acid Levels Checked?
Having your uric acid level checked is a simple blood test. We have added a uric acid level to many of our lab panels here at the Couri Center, or it can be drawn as a stand-alone test. In my opinion, knowing your uric acid level is another important piece of information that can be used to optimize your health and longevity. Schedule an appointment with your provider online or call 309-692-6838 to learn more. We’re here to help.
To Your Health,
Dr. Couri
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS CURRENT AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OR LAST REVIEW, BUT MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, AND THE INFORMATION MAY BECOME OUTDATED OVER TIME.
Sources Used:
Li, B. et al. Association of Serum Uric Acid with All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2023 Feb 1;46(2):425-433. doi: 10.2337/dc22-1339.
Crawley, WT, et al. U-shaped association of uric acid to overall-cause mortality and its impact on clinical management of hyperuricemia. Redox Biol. 2022 May;51:102271. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102271. Epub 2022 Feb 17.
The Untold Story of Uric Acid: Solving the Puzzle of Obesity, Diabetes, and Chronic Disease with Dr. David Perlmutter. The Doctor’s Farmacy Podcast. February 16, 2022.