Although it is still debatable we have some clues to deal with this sneaky acid mainly hidden in junk foods, alcohol, and sugary drinks
What is Hyperuricemia and Why Does It Matter?
Hyperuricemia means we have elevated uric acid in the body and it needs to addressed with lifestyle or medication. You need to discuss this with your doctors. In this story I only introduce it at a high level to give you an idea.
In this short post, I will introduce you to uric acid because this sneaky acid something as small as a molecule could make or break our health. Uric acid is a tiny waste product that forms when our bodies break down purines , natural compounds in food some food.
Sounds innocent enough, right?
But here’s the thing: when uric acid levels get out of hand, the effects on both our physical and mental health can be far from mild. I know because it was an issue for me long time ago and the effects were not fun at all.
Let me start with the pain of gout. Imagine a night when you’re suddenly jolted awake by a sharp, throbbing pain in your big toe — welcome to gout, a form of arthritis brought on by excess uric acid.
What’s happening is that uric acid has crystallized in your joints, and it’s as painful as it sounds. Many people aren’t aware that something as invisible as uric acid could be responsible for such intense pain, but trust me, it’s more common than you’d think.
Excess uric acid doesn’t just settle in the joints; it can also lead to kidney stones. And from what I’ve heard, that pain is next-level. These “stones” form when high uric acid levels crystallize in the kidneys, causing some seriously unwelcome symptoms and potentially complicating kidney function.
And here’s a shocker — uric acid has a dark side when it comes to your heart health. High levels can correlate with hypertension and other heart issues. It’s like that unwelcome guest who doesn’t just stay for dinner but starts rearranging the furniture too.
But it’s not just physical. It has mental health ties. What about the impact on your mind? This part is newer, and we’re still learning, but recent studies are connecting high uric acid with mood and mental health.
I mention this nuanced part because elevated levels have been linked to increased anxiety and even depressive symptoms. Some scientists even suggest that uric acid might play a role in cognitive performance over time — definitely something to keep an eye on.
Managing uric acid doesn’t require a PhD. For starters, being mindful of purine-rich foods can make a real difference. For example, when I stopped drinking alcohol and soda drinks, lowered the junk food, and reduced red meat a bit, my gout disappeared. I still eat enough meat to keep my muscle mass.
From what I learned in the health science literature, staying hydrated and keeping active can also help keep uric acid in check, so the body can keep things balanced.
Treating high uric acid levels involves a mix of lifestyle changes and, when necessary, medication. Doctors may prescribe medications such as allopurinol or febuxostat to lower production, or probenecid to enhance elimination.
Regular monitoring is essential for those prone to gout or kidney stones, helping to maintain healthy uric acid levels and prevent complications. A neurologist doctor Dr. David Perlmutter talks a lot about. You may check out his YouTube videos.
If you want to deep dive uric acid, Dr Mehmet Yildiz (Main) wrote an exceptionally well-crafted story with comprehensive literature review that might give you valuable insights and practical tips. I link the story here as a reference as it was the best article I read on this topic so far.
Emerging Concerns of Elevated Uric Acid on Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Impotence, & Dementia
Hyperuricemia is increasing globally and affecting millions of Americans. Why does the body create excessive uric acid…medium.com
His insightful story about hyperuricemia (Elevated Uric Acid) has implications and impact on obesity, diabetes, heart disease, impotence, and even dementia.
Thank you for reading my story. I wish you a healthy life.
As a disclaimer, my stories, of course, never include health or professional advice.
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly.
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