While normal uric acid levels are a natural antioxidant, in excess, uric acid can trigger oxidative stress and contribute to cardio-metabolic problems.
A growing body of clinical evidence is showing a connection between gout and cardio-metabolic problems, such as hypertension and the early onset of type 2 diabetes, however, elevated uric acid can cause cardiovascular complication in the absent of painful gout joints.
In a clinical report published in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, researcher reported that among 78 volunteers between the ages of 18-65, saliva uric acid was elevated in patients with cardio-metabolic syndrome which is a combination of risk factors including abdominal obesity, hypertension, and high levels of triglycerides, which puts us at risk for heart disease and diabetes.
Elevated uric acid also reduces nitric oxide, a natural cardio-protective and neuro-protective factor, resulting in less blood flow to vital organs and likely causes systemic inflammation. It is now believed that elevated uric acid levels cause hypertension by inhibiting nitric oxide in your blood vessels, and it is High Fructose Corn syrup that results in the elevates uric acid. In fact, uric acid produced from fructose metabolism. So, by eliminating excess fructose from your diet, you effectively reduce uric acid that contributes to high blood pressure.
Persistent elevated uric acid is a well-known risk factor for atherosclerotic events like heart attack and stroke. Other clinical studies published in Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology independently confirmed that elevated uric acid is tied to an increase in cardio-metabolic risk as well as increase in abdominal obesity, which in turn, fat contributes to the rise in uric acid.
The ability to monitor cardio-metabolic risk using a self-check saliva-based test could help overcome barriers to regular screening and may improve adherence to dietary and behavioral treatment programs.