What is uric acid in the human body?

Uric acid is a waste product created during the normal breakdown of purines, naturally occurring substances found in foods such as liver, mushrooms, anchovies, mackerel and dried beans according to the NIAMS. Uric acid is normally cleaned out of the blood by the kidneys, and passes out of the body along with urine. read more

The problems start when the body produces too much uric acid or it does not eliminate it sufficiently when hyperuricemia occurs, this is characterised by the depositing of crystals of uric acid in the form of needles within the joints. read more

Uric acid is formed when the body breaks down purines, which is a substance in the human tissue and certain foods that we eat. Usually, uric acid dissolves in the blood and moves through the kidneys where it is then passing out of the body via urine. read more

A uric acid blood test, also known as a serum uric acid measurement, determines how much uric acid is present in your blood. The test can help determine how well your body produces and removes uric acid. Uric acid is a chemical produced when your body breaks down foods that contain organic compounds called purines. read more