consumption by converting ethanol → acetaldehyde → acetate decreasing the amount of NAD+ available. NAD+ is needed for the Krebs Cycle to produce energy via oxidative phosphorylation. With impairment of the Krebs Cycle, this leads the ATP reservoir to become low, activating the Purine Nucleotide Cycle. Excess IMP (inosine monophosphate) is converted into uric acid. IMP → Inosine → Hypoxanthine → Xanthine → Uric Acid Scurvy (Vitamin C Deficiency) Vitamin C acts as a reducing agent, donating electrons in various enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions. It is a cofactor for at least eight enzymatic reactions involved in key bodily processes including the production of collagen, preventing harmful genetic mutations, protecting white blood cells and the production of carnitine, vital for energy. Carnitine plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism. As scurvy reduces the production of carnitine, the ability of the body to utilize fats for energy is impaired, leading to a low ATP reservoir. When ATP reservoirs are low, ATP is produced via the Purine Nucleotide Cycle. Excess IMP (inosine monophosphate) is converted into uric acid. IMP → Inosine → Hypoxanthine → Xanthine → Uric Acid Low uric acid Low uric acid (hypouricemia) can have numerous causes. Low dietary zinc intakes cause lower uric acid levels. This effect can be even more pronounced in women taking oral contraceptive medication. Sevelamer, a drug indicated for prevention of hyperphosphataemia in people with chronic kidney failure, can significantly reduce serum uric acid. Multiple sclerosis Meta-analysis of 10 case-control studies found that the serum uric acid levels of patients with multiple sclerosis were significantly lower compared to those of healthy controls, possibly indicating a diagnostic biomarker for multiple sclerosis. Normalizing low uric acid Correcting low or deficient zinc levels can help elevate serum uric acid. See also Theacrine or 1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid, a purine alkaloid found in some teas Uracil – purine nucleobase named by Robert Behrend who was attempting to synthesize derivatives of uric acid Metabolic Myopathies Purine Nucleotide Cycle References External links Uric acid blood test – MedlinePlus Nitrogen cycle Organic acids Triketones