Uricemia is a value detectable through a simple blood sample that determines the uric acid content in the blood. What is uric
acid Uric acid is a substance that is produced by our body following the metabolism of some nitrogenous bases – such as purines – and amino acids. More than half of the uric acid (65-75%) is excreted in the urine; about 25-35% – secreted by the intestine – is expelled through the faeces. High uric acid occurs in conditions where the body cannot adequately excrete uric acid. In the blood, it circulates in the form of a monovalent sodium salt (urate).
- Normal uric acid values
​​Women: 1.9 – 7.5 mg / dl
Men: 2.5 8 mg / dl
Drugs affecting blood values
​​Thiazide diuretics could give values ​​higher than normal, while aspirin can alter the results depending on the dosage: high doses lower the values; low doses raise them. The consequences of high uricaemia
Purines, in addition to being integrated with the diet, are synthesized by the intestine and liver. If there is an excess of these substances it is possible that they are secreted in abundance or that there are problems with elimination. In the case of high uric acid (hyperuricemia), uric acid builds up in the connective tissues and joints causing gout. The reason why the joints are very painful to move is that uric acid crystals form in the synovial fluid. While in the kidney uric acid could form the much feared kidney stones. Why uric acid is dangerous
Uric acid is not an easily soluble substance: this is one of the reasons why over time it tends and forms these micro-crystals in non-vascularized tissues. Uric acid crystals are more likely to form in the presence of systemic acidosis, urinary acidosis, and cold. Other risk factors are diabetes, excess protein, prolonged fasting and kidney failure. Serious diseases related to excess uric acid (high uric acid)
If the urea in the blood is high, it can also be compared with that in the urine (hyperuricosuria). If urine levels are also elevated there could be a risk of muscular dystrophy or tumors. But it can also be a consequence of chemotherapy treatment. High urea and inflammation
As always, the balance of the human body travels on a very fine thread of balance. Recent research has in fact discovered that the presence of uric acid in the body has the precise antioxidant function against hydroxyl and peroxynitrite radicals, two substances associated with inflammation. On the other hand, the presence of continued high uricemia can have the opposite effect: it triggers vascular inflammation that can lead to hypertension and insulin resistance. It’s always the protein’s fault
Absolutely not. Some studies have shown that commonly used substances such as fructose can spike uric acid levels by increasing the state of metabolic syndrome. Similar ways to increase urate concentrations are the intake of sorbitol, sucrose, lactate and methylxanthines “After absorption, sorbitol is converted into fructose by the liver, and thus can increase the production of uric acid.” Therefore it is best to avoid tea, coffee or other nerve drinks or beer – associated with an increase in uric acid. Changing the diet is useful
According to an important study conducted in 2012 [4] an almost insignificant amount of urates is integrated through the diet. These are produced to a greater extent by the liver and to a more limited extent by the intestine. However, “a diet rich in purines would be responsible for a minimal increase of 1 to 2 mg / dL of UA [uric acid]”. People with high uricaemia are generally advised not to “ingest large amounts of foods rich in purines (for example, veal, bacon, kid, mutton, turkey, pork, duck, goose, etc.), and believes that a high intake of meat and seafood is linked to an increase in UA [uric acid], but the same relationship is not valid for total protein intake. ‘ Foods to reduce in case of high uricemia
It is necessary to minimize – totally eliminating could be counterproductive – animal fats, offal, fish such as herring, sardines, anchovies, crustaceans and seafood. Cheeses – mainly aged ones – and meat, especially sausages and poultry. Vegetables include legumes, cabbage, peas, cauliflower and beans. Drinks: carbonated ones, beer and strong spirits.
[1] Intern Med. 2006; 45 (9): 605-14. Epub 2006 Jun 1. Relationship between serum uric acid concentration, metabolic syndrome and carotid atherosclerosis. Kawamoto R1, Tomita H, Oka Y, Ohtsuka N.
[2] Circulation. 2006 Dec 5;114(23):2508-16. Epub 2006 Nov 27. High-dose allopurinol improves endothelial function by profoundly reducing vascular oxidative stress and not by lowering uric acid. George J, Carr E, Davies J, Belch JJ, Struthers A.
[3] Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2007 Jul;17(6):409-14. Uric acid and oxidative stress: relative impact on cardiovascular risk
Strazzullo P, Puig JG.
[4] Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2012; 4: 12. Published online 2012 Apr 4. doi: 10.1186/1758-5996-4-12 PMCID: PMC3359272 High plasma uric acid concentration: causes and consequences Erick Prado de Oliveira and Roberto Carlos Burin
[5] Review The management of gout. Emmerson BT N Engl J Med. 1996 Feb 15; 334(7):445-51.
[6] Review Milestones in the treatment of gout. Yu T, Yu TF Am J Med. 1974 May; 56(5):676-85.
[7] Intake of purine-rich foods, protein, and dairy products and relationship to serum levels of uric acid: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Choi HK, Liu S, Curhan G Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jan; 52(1):283-9.
[8] Semin Nephrol. 2011 Sep;31(5):426-32. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2011.08.006. Uric acid and fructose: potential biological mechanisms. Lanaspa MA1, Tapia E, Soto V, Sautin Y, Sanchez-Lozada LG.
[9] Hyperuricemia The presence of elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. PubMed Health Glossary
