We've often heard of high uric acid levels whenever someone gets a blood test done. But what exactly is uric acid, and what are the implications of having high levels of it in your bloodstream?

To start with, it is a body waste product and should ideally be completely eliminated via your urine output. A waste product, Created when body breaks down chemicals called purines, Kidney filters it out from blood; passes out of body through urine.

HOW EXCESS LEADS TO DISEASES;

- Excess uric acid stays in the body
- Causes hyperuricemia - formation of uric acid crystals
- ⁠Crystals settle in joints, causing gout
- Crystals settle in kidneys & form stones
- If left untreated, there's higher risk of type 2 diabetes & heart diseases

TREATMENT;
- Medication
- Weight control
- Diet & water intake

It's best to make the uric acid check part of your annual body check-up.