Uric acid Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines Foods with high content of purines include liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas, and beer. Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels to the kidneys. From there, it passes out in urine Uric acid is a heterocyclic compound of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen with the formula C5H4N4O3. It forms, ions and salts known as urates and acid urates, such as ammonium acid urate What causes high uric acid levels in the body? Causes. Most of the time, a high uric acid level occurs when your kidneys don't eliminate uric acid efficiently. Things that may cause this slow-down in the removal of uric acid include rich foods, being overweight, having diabetes, taking certain diuretics (sometimes called water pills) and drinking too much alcohol. Uric Acid Metabolism in the Body Metabolism and ...