What Causes Gout: Is It Uric Acid?There are a number of causes of Gout ranging from genetics, gender and age to the kind of food you eat. But the real mechanism is that an excess of uric acid in the blood causes gout. Breakdown of purines causes uric acid. So is it purine that ultimately leads to gout? Let us understand what causes gout?
Purines are natural substances found in all foods and our body cells. Purines are part of the chemical structure of genes of plants, animals and human beings. Some foods particularly high protein foods contain concentrated amounts of purines. For example organ meats like kidney, fishes like sardines, mackerel, herring and mussels. When cells die and get recycled, the purines get broken down forming uric acid. It is very normal and healthy process. Continuous supply of uric acid in the blood is very important because it serves as an antioxidant and helps prevent damage to blood vessel linings. However increased uric acid levels in the blood are counterproductive and lead to gout. Kidneys are responsible for maintaining balanced blood levels of uric acid. Any kidney problems can cause excessive accumulation of uric acid in various parts of the body. Even excessive breakdown of cells can also build up uric acid in the blood. The excess can be caused by either an over-production of uric acid by the body or the under-elimination of uric acid by the kidneys. Also, the ingestion of foods high in purines can raise uric acid levels in the blood and precipitate gout attacks in some people.
What causes gout attacks?Excess uric acid in the blood is a risk factor for the gout. Following are the most commonly known triggers for the Gout flare: Find out more about symptoms, prevention methods and home remedies for gout in the other related articles:
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What Causes Gout?
What Causes Gout?
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Home Remedies What Causes Gout?
What Causes Gout?