What is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is an antioxidant. Its antioxidant property enables the body to protect itself against free-radical molecules that are associated with several diseases such as cancers.

Uric acid is generated in the body as a result of breakdown of purine in the liver.

When uric acid level in the blood is high, it has side effects. Uric acid eventually crystallizes, especially at low temprature. Uric acid crytals make their way to the joints, such as the big toe, ankle, and knees, causing gout. Other diseases associated with high blood uric acid include kidney stones, diabetic acidosis, acute alcoholism and leukemia.

Causes of High Serum Uric Acid

Uric acid accumulates in tissues and the blood when one consumes foods high in purines. Foods high in purines include meat and meat products and some vegeterian food stuffs, even though with lower levels. Other factors associated with high blood uric acid levels include starvation and consumption of foods high in fructose, fat and protein.

Foods and Uric Acid Content

In the following table is a list of food stuffs and estimates of their uric acid content. The uric acid content is calculated based on the purine content of the foods. Foods high in uric acid content are listed at the top of the table while foods with low uric acid content are at the bottom.

Fruits and vegetables have generally reduced level of uric acid. Meat products, especially internal organs are known to have, generally, higher levels of uric acid.

More on gout and diet:

Gout causes, diagnosis, symptoms, and cure High or low purine foods list
Food high/low in uric acid
Uric acid reducing foods
Gout Causes: Food High in Purines and Uric Acid, and Alcohol
Low purine diet cookbooks and gout related books

References:

Clifford, Andrew J. and Story, David L. 1976. Levels of Purines in Foods and Their Metabolic Effects in Rats. J. Nutr. 106: 435-442.