What High Levels of Uric Acid on Blood Tests Can Mean

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If you remember several newsletters back, I talked about optimal and normal levels of lab tests. I did not touch on uric acid, so that’ll be the focus for today.

What is uric acid? 

Uric acid is produced as an end product of purine, nucleic acid, and nucleotide metabolism–basically, the levels represent the end product of protein utilization. Most uric acid is excreted in the urine, but the rest is excreted in the stool.

Your body normally produces purines, but it is also found in some foods and drinks such as liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas, and beer.

Normal values 

Most of the uric acid dissolves in the blood and goes to the kidneys where it is included in the urine to be excreted. But, if your body produces too much uric acid or is unable to remove enough of it, illness occurs.

Normal values range from 2.2 to 7.7 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), but there may be small variations among different laboratories, so it’s best to discuss your results with your healthcare provider.

Optimal values 

Optimal ranges are different than conventional lab ranges (which are broader and referring to “not a disease state” rather than healthy/optimal).

In other words, when you have an abnormal test result based on conventional lab ranges, it may mean you already have a disease. So the conventional ranges just tell you that you haven’t gotten to a disease state yet…even though you may be well on your way! However, the optimal values reflect the healthy (optimal), fully functional state of your body.

In males, the optimal range is 3.5-5.9mg/dl and females 3-5.5mg/dl.

What high levels of uric acid can mean 

Too much uric acid in the blood is called hyperuricemia. While this marker is usually used to measure gout, kidney failure and leukemia, it’s very useful for recognizing imbalances in inflammation and metabolism such as:

  • chronic inflammatory states including the vascular system
  • developing atherosclerosis
  • oxidative stress and free radical activity
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • renal insufficiency or renal disease
  • circulatory disorders such as hypertension and Raynaud’s
  • leaky gut syndrome
  • thyroid hypofunction
  • Diabetes
  • liver and gallbladder dysfunction

Stress and alcoholism can also raise uric acid levels. Eating lots of purine rich foods form organ meats and dark meat can sometimes raise uric acid levels though isn’t a concern for everyone.

Doing a blood test that includes uric acid levels is one of the ways to check if you have inflammation or metabolic imbalances.

What to do if you have high levels of uric acid 

If you have high levels, consider diet and lifestyle factors that could account for that and then choose next steps accordingly–for example, if you have other risk factors for heart disease, it would be wise to get a carotid artery ultrasound and a calcium score test to look at blood flow and potential restrictions to circulation. If you have a high level of stress or eat an unhealthy diet, then those can certainly cause elevated levels. Ultimately, addressing the causes rather than the symptoms is essential.
Drinking plenty of filtered water, eating a clean diet rich in quality protein sources and vegetables, getting 7-8 hrs of sleep each night, moving your body daily, managing stress throughout the day, and optimizing your gut health are some ways to do this.

I will be offering a free online class on Stress and Digestion March 7th. You can sign up here and that will provide you with some great information and next steps for supporting your health.

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!
~Rebecca

P.S.
Know someone who could use my help?
Send them the link to apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

What is Histamine Intolerance?

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Ever heard of histamine intolerance?

This condition is relatively new and difficult to diagnose. In fact, some people only hear about it when the symptoms show up!

Before that happens to you or anyone you love, I hope today’s newsletter will help you stay your healthiest.

First on all, what is histamine?

You are probably familiar with histamine in the context of allergens or allergy triggers, but histamine is quite important.

Histamine is a crucial part of the immune system’s defense system. If you encounter allergy triggers such as pollen, pet dander, or dust, your immune system sees them as a threat and causes the release of histamine. This release starts a chain reaction to defend you from the perceived threat.

This release of histamine causes all known allergic reactions, like runny nose, itchy eyes, and hives. However, you can still have histamine intolerance even when you don’t have allergies.

Histamine is found in almost all tissues of your body, including your stomach mucosa lining, brain cells, mast cells (type of white blood cells in connective tissues), and basophils (also a type of white blood cells).

So other than causing allergic reactions, here are other roles of histamine in your body:

  • Helps in muscle contraction
  • Excites the brain
  • Dilates blood vessels
  • Signals the sensory nervous system (vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell, and balance)

Since histamine is involved in sensory system signaling, that explains how having motion sickness or nausea can result from over-activation of histamine receptors. That is why there are over-the-counter antihistamine drugs for nausea and vomiting as well as motion sickness. They work to keep your inner ear from fully sensing motion.

Now, what is histamine intolerance?

Histamine intolerance occurs when there is an abnormally high amount of histamine in your body. Usually your body is good at regulating histamine levels.
When you produce histamine or eat foods with histamine, your intestinal cells produce and  release an enzyme that break down histamine. This enzyme is called Diamine Oxidase or DAO and it is responsible for metabolizing histamine. Histamine intolerance occurs when there is a dysfunction in the regulation of histamine because there isn’t enough DAO being produced to sufficiently bring histamine levels down and your body gets overloaded with histamine.

So how does this happen?
One explanation is that the DAO enzyme may weaken, slow down, or be genetically varied due to:

  • Excessive alcohol intake
  • Overuse of NSAIDS
  • Leaky gut (excessive permeability in the gut mucosa)
  • Bacterial imbalance or SIBO (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: certain types of bacteria produce excessive histamine

Among the common symptoms of histamine intolerance are headaches, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sudden low blood pressure, hives, eczema, swelling, runny nose, nasal congestion and irritation, sneezing, shortness of breath, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.

Histamine intolerance can be treated with DAO supplementation, antihistamines, and a low-histamine diet. Vitamin C can also play a helpful role as it helps DAO production.

As with any symptoms, it’s best to get to the root cause rather than just treating the symptom. Diet and lifestyle modification is at the root of almost any symptom and is an excellent place to begin for achieving any health goals. You may want to discuss this with a professional health provider so that you can receive thorough guidance.

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!
~Rebecca

P.S.
Know someone who could use my help?
Send them the link to apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Health Benefits of Phytoplankton

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Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in watery environments. 

There are different types of phytoplankton, but the most common type is the single-celled plant. Just like land plants, phytoplankton contains chlorophyll that converts sunlight into chemical energy in the form of photosynthesis. It uses carbon dioxide in the process and gives out oxygen as a byproduct. It is actually believed that it is responsible for producing more than half of the Earth’s oxygen production.

Phytoplankton is the foundation of the aquatic food web since they feed everything in the ocean from microscopic organisms to huge whales. Small fish–which are food for larger marine animals that are also eaten by larger marine animals–graze upon phytoplanktons.

But aside from all these interesting facts, did you know that phytoplankton is a superfood?

Yes! This marine plant is loaded with essential fatty acids, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, omega antioxidants, and trace minerals. It can even directly affect our genes and brain cells!

Let’s explore more of the benefits of phytoplanktons to human health. 

1. Improves mood

Omega-3 fatty acids and the minerals in phytoplankton aid brain tissue health to support significantly improvement in mental health, memory, and mood.

In a pilot study conducted at the University of Utah, subjects who regularly took phytoplankton supplements notably improved in their depression symptoms.

2. Detoxifies

The role of phytoplankton in the ocean is to oxygenate and detoxify, and it also does so in your body. It is, in fact, the best bioavailable source of SOD or superoxide dismutase. It contains seven times more active SOD than any other source.

SOD is a detoxifying enzyme that is essential in combating oxidative damage and inflammation and is proven effective in detoxifying heavy metals.

3. Boosts the liver and immune system

Phytoplankton contains L-arginine which increases blood flow to the liver and improves fatty liver disease. It also strengthens the immune system because of alanine, beta-Carotene, bioflavonoids, and vitamin E.

4. Regenerates cells

What’s really amazing about phytoplankton is that their teeny-tiny size is the exact opposite of the number of nutrients they contain and their impact on human health. It’s tremendous!

And since its composition is the same as the human plasma or the fluid surrounding our cells, phytoplankton has exactly what your cells need. It has this unique ability to strengthen the cell membrane and also induce cell regeneration and create healthy new cells.

5. Keeps the heart healthy

Omega-3 fatty acids are important in keeping your heart healthy. Types of Omega-3 are EPA and DHA, and they improve cardiovascular function. Among their benefits are reducing inflammation, preventing clot formation, lowering triglyceride levels, and keeping the heartbeat regular. Phytoplankton is rich in Omega-3s so supplementing with it is one way to decrease your risk of coronary disease.

There are plenty of brands of marine phytoplankton supplements that are now available in the market. The one that I take is Ocean’s Alive. Super high quality (you don’t want toxins in there!).

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!
~Rebecca

P.S.
Know someone who could use my help?
Send them the link to apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).