Hi Bob
ach it's a good 8 years since I was really into the gout/uric acid article-trawling, but there is research out there, especially on uric acid levels - thanks for that info Rainer, sounds about right to me but there was a good bit more besides...
I can't immediately tell you what was the exact calibre or nature of the research I found then- and I'm sure there's been more since.
My little lad is only 4 weeks old and I'm really tired....sorry to sound so vague but I know I won't have the time to get back into this any time soon!
Interestingly enough I found out that pregnancy, sunshine exposure, interferons, low-dose aspirin, and I think vitamin D all increased your uric acid levels - can't recall now but vitamin d/calcium metabolism was tied into uric acid levels too. And blood sugar.
I know I shouldn't throw a comment in if I can't back it up.....couldn't help myself
but maybe someone else with a bit of time can do a bit of delving. In the end I stopped searching for it because it was far more complex than I could deal with. I like the hygeine hypothesis and helminths too!