Ireland is seeing a nationwide increase in uric acid levels among its population and this development is problematic because as we now know, higher uric acid levels have been linked to a wide array of illnesses such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and strokes. The University of Limerick’s Graduate Entry Medical School found that within their health system, a substantial one out of every four people had elevated uric acid levels. 

This trend toward elevated uric acid levels has been observed in age groups ranging from youths to senior citizens, with a marked increase of 21% between the years 2006 and 2014. Study researchers have posited that the spike in uric acid is likely due to lifestyle factors and that by leading less sedentary lives and cutting out sugary beverages and more fattening foods, people at risk of kidney disease can stabilize their levels before it’s too late.

Uric acid production, when it’s excessive, is typically a signal from your body telling you that something’s off. It is a waste product that is produced when the body consumes foods with purines in them, and breaks those purines down. These purines are commonly found in alcoholic beverages, meats and seafood, all of which play a role in a typical Irish diet rich in stews, beers and dishes like fish and chips. Keeping mindful of what you put into your body can keep you aware of what your body’s breaking down and what that can lead to makes all the difference between good health and a path to kidney disease.

Be sure to check out our video below about what uric acid is and what role it plays in kidney disease.