Written by
Louise W Lu, PhD, MPH, BMLS
Written/Reviewed by
Alexandra V Goldberg, Registered Dietitian
In recent years, issues like “high uric acid” and “joint discomfort” are no longer problems limited to older adults. Many office workers, people who sit for long periods, and even those who seem to have a fairly healthy diet often experience:
- Stiffness in the feet when getting out of bed and less flexible movement
- Occasional mild soreness in the toes or knees
- Health check results showing elevated uric acid levels
As these problems become increasingly common, a natural plant-derived ingredient has started to gain attention — Celery Seed Extract. Many people notice after taking it for a while:
“Wow, my joints feel lighter, the swelling has reduced, and my uric acid levels seem more stable.”
So what makes celery seed effective in helping lower uric acid? Is it truly a “natural uric acid-lowering remedy”?
In fact, it’s not magic at all — it works by supporting the body’s own uric acid elimination system, making it easier for uric acid to be excreted and helping the joints feel less tight and less inflamed.
But before understanding how celery seed works, we need to clarify one key question:
Where does uric acid come from, and why does it accumulate in the body?
Where Does Uric Acid Come From? It All Starts with “Purines”
To answer the question “Why does uric acid keep building up in the body?”, we first need to understand a key player—purines.
Purines are not protein, and they are not amino acids. They are basic building blocks found in DNA, RNA, and energy molecules (such as ATP). Your body produces purines every day, and you also get some from food. When purines are broken down, the end product is uric acid. This is a normal part of metabolism.
Where Do Purines Come From?
① Endogenous Purines: Made by Your Body (80–90%)
This means that even if you completely avoid seafood and beer, your body still naturally produces a large amount of purines every day, for example:
- Breakdown of old cells
- Metabolic waste after muscle activity
- Normal by-products of energy production
These purines will eventually be converted into uric acid—this is a perfectly normal metabolic process.
② Exogenous Purines: From Food Only (10–20%)
These are the “high-purine foods” people often talk about, such as:
- Seafood, red meat, organ meats
- Concentrated meat broth, hot pot soup base
- Beer (a double hit: purines + alcohol can both raise uric acid)
Although this portion is not large, the biggest issue is: exogenous purines can cause uric acid to rise rapidly in a short time—the classic “one meal, three days of pain.”
③ Converting Purines to Uric Acid Is Normal—The Problem Is “Too Much” or “Not Clearing It Out”
Uric acid isn’t automatically a bad thing. In small amounts, it may even have antioxidant effects. But when purines break down too quickly, or when the body’s ability to excrete uric acid declines, uric acid can accumulate and trigger a range of discomfort.
High uric acid ≠ you “ate something wrong”; more often, it’s that metabolism is running too hard, or the body can’t clear it efficiently.
Why Does Uric Acid Build Up in the Body? And Why Does It Cause Joint Pain?
Since uric acid is simply the end product of purine breakdown, why does it accumulate in some people? The key issue is usually not “producing too much,” but rather— the body is not eliminating it efficiently.
① Most High Uric Acid Comes from “Poor Excretion,” Not “Eating Too Much”
Around 90% of high uric acid cases are due to excretion problems. In other words, the kidneys are supposed to remove uric acid, but for various reasons, the ability to do so decreases, such as:
- High stress and poor sleep affecting kidney function
- Sedentary lifestyle and slowed metabolism reducing uric acid clearance
- The kidney tubules reabsorbing too much uric acid
- Insufficient water intake leading to too little urine volume
Uric acid is like household waste—if the garbage truck doesn’t come or the road is blocked, it simply piles up.
② When Uric Acid Gets Too High, It Forms Tiny Crystals in the Joints
When uric acid levels in the blood become too high, it gradually forms tiny particles called monosodium urate crystals. These crystals are very hard and irregularly shaped—almost like “tiny shards of glass.”
When these crystals accumulate in the joint spaces, they irritate joint tissues and trigger clear discomfort.
③ Why Does It Sometimes Feel Like Being “Stabbed with Needles”?
When uric acid crystals settle in a joint, the body treats them as “foreign invaders,” triggering the immune system and causing an inflammatory response. This releases inflammatory molecules such as IL-1β. The result:
- Redness, heat, swelling, and intense joint pain
- Pain often worsens at night (temperature shifts can stimulate the crystals)
- Difficulty moving or even waking up suddenly from sharp pain
In other words: it’s not the uric acid itself causing pain — it’s the inflammation triggered by those tiny uric acid crystals in the joint.
④ Unstable Uric Acid Levels Can Also Trigger Recurring Discomfort
Some people do not have extremely high uric acid, but frequent fluctuations can still cause crystals to form and irritate the joints. This is why even without a classic gout attack, people may still experience:
- Aching across the top of the foot
- Tightness in the toes
- Occasional stiffness in the knees
How Does Celery Seed Help Lower Uric Acid — And How Should You Take It?
Since the root causes of uric acid buildup are poor excretion and sharp urate crystals forming inside the joints, the ideal approach is to support the body’s natural ability to remove uric acid while reducing inflammation at the same time.
This is exactly why Celery Seed Extract has become increasingly popular. It doesn’t “force uric acid down” like medication — instead, it helps your body naturally clear the excess. Many people choose standardized products such as Healthlife Celery Seed Extract for convenient and consistent daily support.
The benefits of celery seed come from multiple mechanisms working together, not a single action.
① Promotes Uric Acid Excretion — Addressing the Root of Uric Acid Buildup
One of the key active compounds in celery seed, 3-n-butylphthalide, helps:
- Reduce the reabsorption of uric acid in the kidney tubules
- Support uric acid transporters (URAT1, GLUT9)
- Promote uric acid removal through urine
In simple terms: it helps uric acid “get out,” preventing further buildup.
② Anti-inflammatory Effects — Less “Sharp” Joint Discomfort
Celery seed is rich in natural flavonoids and polyphenols that help:
- Reduce inflammation triggered by urate crystals in the joints
- Inhibit inflammatory molecules such as IL-1β linked to gout
- Ease redness, heat, swelling, and joint pain
That’s why many people report: “My joints feel less tight and much more comfortable.”
③ Gentle Natural Diuretic — Helping Uric Acid Leave Faster
The volatile oils in celery seed have a mild diuretic effect:
- Increasing urine output
- Reducing the time uric acid stays in the body
- Relieving swelling and heaviness
④ Antioxidant Support — Less “Overproduction” of Uric Acid
When you are under chronic stress, sleep poorly, or have irregular eating habits, your body produces more free radicals. Because uric acid itself is an antioxidant, your body may create more of it to compensate.
The antioxidants in celery seed help:
- Reduce oxidative stress
- Slow the breakdown of purines into uric acid
- Stabilize uric acid levels and reduce spikes
Celery seed works through “multi-point regulation”: supporting uric acid excretion, reducing inflammation, increasing urine flow, and lowering oxidative stress — all at once.
How Should You Take Celery Seed? Ideal Dosage, Timing, and Who It’s For
① Recommended Dosage
A general guideline for adults:
- 100–150 mg of standardized celery seed extract daily
- Can be taken once or divided into two doses with meals
Taking it with food helps with absorption and protects sensitive stomachs.
② Best Time to Take It
- After lunch — helps regulate afternoon and evening uric acid fluctuations
- After dinner — reduces overnight uric acid elevation
It is not recommended on an empty stomach, as the volatile oils may cause digestive discomfort.
③ Who Benefits the Most?
- People with mild to moderate high uric acid
- People with recurring joint tightness or stiffness
- Those prone to swelling or heaviness in the feet and legs
- Individuals under stress, poor sleep, or unstable metabolism
- People with a family history of gout or elevated uric acid
④ Who Should Avoid It?
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
- Those taking anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication
- People with severe kidney impairment
- Anyone allergic to celery or other Apiaceae plants
If you fall into the suitable category, celery seed can be a gentle, science-supported natural option for uric acid support.
The goal isn’t just “taking celery seed,” but helping your body restore its natural uric acid-handling ability.
Pairing celery seed with lifestyle habits — hydration, movement, nutrition, and better sleep — can make the results even more noticeable and help stabilise uric acid long-term.
