Uric acid refers to the chemical created when the body breaks down purines, which is a compound found in various foods. Too much purine can lead to high uric acid, also known as hyperuricemia. This causes damage to various parts and organs of the body.

This article examines the causes and symptoms of high uric acid. Here you will also learn which foods you should avoid or eat if you have gout.

High Uric Acid Levels: Causes
A high level of uric acid is the result of the body producing too much uric acid, not eliminating enough uric acid, or a combination of both.
Causes of high uric acid levels in the blood include:

– Diuretics (medicines for fluid retention)
– Excessive alcohol consumption
– Excessive consumption of soft drinks or eating too much food that contains fructose, a type of sugar
– Genetic factors, also known as hereditary traits
– High blood pressure
– Immunosuppressive medications
– Kidney problems
– Leukemia
– Metabolic syndrome
– Niacin, also called vitamin B-3
– Obesity
– Polycythemia vera (a type of blood disorder)
– Psoriasis
– A diet high in purines, such as liver, game meats, anchovies, and sardines
– Tumor lysis syndrome — a rapid release of cells into the blood caused by certain types of cancer or by chemotherapy used to treat these cancers.
– People who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer.
High Uric Acid Levels: Symptoms
Symptoms associated with high uric acid levels that cause gout include:

– Joint pain or swelling
– Discoloration or sheen on the skin around the joints
– Joints that are warm to the touch

Symptoms of kidney stones that are caused by uric acid include:

– Pain on both sides of the back Frequent urination
– Urine that appears cloudy, has blood in it, or has an unusual odor
– Nausea or vomiting Cases of low uric acid are less common than those of high uric acid.

Symptoms of low uric acid include frequent urination, which leads to dehydration.

Foods to Avoid and Foods to Eat if You Have Gout
What is gout? Gout is an inflammatory disease that mainly affects the joints and occurs when the level of uric acid in the blood is higher than normal. It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood, which occurs due to excessive production or deficient elimination of uric acid.
Gout is characterized by pain, heat, redness and swelling in the joints, mainly in the lower limbs, and can affect adult men and women after menopause. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling and redness, and the disease can be triggered by factors such as alcohol intake, a diet rich in purines and physical trauma.

If you have gout, it is important to pay attention to your diet to control the levels of uric acid in your blood. To prevent gout attacks and complications, here are some foods to avoid and others that you can safely eat:

Foods and drinks that trigger gout symptoms and attacks

Foods and drinks that trigger gout symptoms and attacks cause significant harm to your health and should be avoided. Some of these foods and drinks include: Red meat and offal:

– Eating more red meat (such as beef) and organ meats (such as liver, kidneys, and tongue) may increase your risk of gout attacks.
– Cold-water fish and seafood: Certain types of fish contain more purines, and should be limited in a gout diet. Among them are tuna, trout, sardines, anchovies and herring. Seafood such as shrimp, oysters, crab, and lobster are also high in purines.
– Yeast extract: Some bread spreads, such as Marmite and Vegemite, contain yeast extract, which is high in purines.