Gout may occur when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urea is synthesized in the body of many organisms as part of the urea cycle, either from the oxidation of amino acids or from ammonia. Uric acid is a substance resulting from the breakdown of purines, which are part of all human tissue and are found in many foods. Uric acid dissolves in the blood pass through the kidneys and is then eliminated in the urine. The buildup of this substance in the body may lead to problems, including kidney stones and gout. Urea and uric acid are often interchanged but they are not the same thing. Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism that is formed inside the liver. Because urea contains ammonia, which is toxic to the body it must be quickly filtered from the blood by the kidneys and extracted in the urine you release. Uric crystals form and accumulate in body areas where blood flow is too slow to remove them. The knuckles, elbows, knees, and toes are common places of accumulation. If found between the joints, the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed. Then a nerve ending may become irritated, and extreme pain may result. If the crystals remain in the kidneys, partial or complete kidney damage may occur. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Avoid meats such as liver, kidney, and sweetbreads, which have high purine levels and contribute to high blood levels of uric acid. Selected seafood. For optimum results: Avoid the following types of seafood, which are higher in purines than others: anchovies, herring, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, haddock, mackerel, and tuna. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.