What Causes High Uric Acid Levels in Men?

May 19, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Aihua
Introduction
Elevated uric acid levels are primarily associated with unhealthy dietary habits. Specifically, frequent consumption of high-purine foods—such as animal offal, seafood, and meat—in daily meals can disrupt normal purine metabolism, leading to excessive accumulation of uric acid in the body and persistently elevated serum uric acid levels. Kidney disease can also cause hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia is a common condition. Compared with women, men are significantly more likely to develop hyperuricemia—particularly middle-aged men over 30 years of age, who constitute a well-recognized high-risk group. So, what causes elevated uric acid levels in men?

What Causes Elevated Uric Acid Levels in Men?

Elevated uric acid levels are primarily associated with unhealthy dietary habits. Specifically, frequent consumption of high-purine foods—such as organ meats, seafood, and red meat—can disrupt normal purine metabolism, leading to excessive accumulation of uric acid in the body and persistently elevated serum uric acid levels. Kidney disease can also cause hyperuricemia, including conditions such as nephrotic syndrome and acute or chronic glomerulonephritis. These disorders impair normal uric acid excretion, resulting in excessive uric acid buildup and consequently elevated serum uric acid levels.

Additionally, external environmental factors may contribute to hyperuricemia—for instance, changes in weather. Clinically, as ambient temperature rises, uric acid solubility in the human body increases. Conversely, at lower temperatures, uric acid tends to precipitate out of solution as crystals, thereby affecting its concentration in the bloodstream and potentially elevating measured uric acid levels.

To prevent hyperuricemia, gout, and related complications, it is essential to adopt and maintain healthy dietary and lifestyle habits. This includes avoiding long-term alcohol consumption and smoking, and limiting intake of high-purine foods—especially seafood and organ meats. We hope this information proves helpful! Wishing you good health and a joyful life!