AMA #62: Protein’s impact on appetite and weight management, and uric acid's link to disease and how to manage levels
Peter Attia
Aug 12, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Manage uric acid spikes from intense anaerobic exercise
Heavy anaerobic exercise can cause a temporary spike in uric acid due to muscle ATP depletion, but this is not considered a pathological issue as the body seems to adapt.
Lower uric acid to reduce blood pressure
The link between high uric acid and high blood pressure is causal, as demonstrated by Mendelian randomization studies, meaning lowering uric acid can directly lower blood pressure.
Monitor uric acid levels post-menopause for health insights
Uric acid levels in women tend to be stable until menopause, after which they increase sharply, suggesting a protective role for estrogen.
Recognize obesity as a cause of high uric acid levels
Mendelian randomization studies suggest that having higher levels of body fat causally leads to high uric acid levels, rather than the other way around.
Limit beer consumption to manage uric acid levels
Beer is particularly high in the purines that create uric acid because it contains a lot of yeast, which has its own genetic material.
Beware ketosis: it can trigger gout through increased uric acid
Being in a state of ketosis from diet or fasting can dramatically increase uric acid and trigger gout because ketones compete with uric acid for excretion in the kidneys.
Use allopurinol to manage uric acid during prolonged fasts
To counteract the rise in uric acid during prolonged fasts, the host takes a medication like allopurinol.
More from
Peter Attia
A new frontier in neurosurgery: restoring brain function with brain-computer interfaces, advancing glioblastoma care, and new hope for devastating brain diseases | Edward Chang, M.D.
Lower back pain: causes, treatment, and prevention of lower back injuries and pain | Stuart McGill, Ph.D. (#287 rebroadcast)
Understanding anxiety: defining, assessing, and treating health anxiety, OCD, and the spectrum of anxiety disorders | Josh Spitalnick, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.
AMA #74: Sugar and sugar substitutes: weight control, metabolic effects, and health trade-offs
How to change your habits: why they form and how to build or break them | Charles Duhigg, M.B.A
You also might be interested in
Food & Supplements for Brain Health & Cognitive Performance | Huberman Lab Essentials
I Read 500 Studies: 10 Things I Learned about your Health
Low-Carb Vs. High-Carb Battle — What's BETTER For Your Health & Metabolism: Fats or Sugar? with Dr. Eric Westman and Jay Feldman
Brain Expert: 'If You Have Brain Fog, Fatigue or Burnout — It Might Be Your Eyes!' | Bryce Appelbaum
The Most Underrated Exercise for Overall Health & Performance