List of Purines
An organic compound, purines are defined as heterocyclic in that they are composed of at least two different elements. Purines function as neurotransmitters and excesses or deficiencies in purines can cause a variety of health problems. Found in everything from the basic building blocks of living organisms, DNA, to everyday items like coffee, chocolate and fish, purines are some of the most abundant compounds on earth.
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Adenine and Guanine
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Adenine and guanine are two of the four main nucleobases that make up DNA. Adenine compliments thymine, while guanine compliments cytosine to form the two base pairs in the strand. Both adenine and guanine are also found in RNA and are used to build and store the information that make up every living thing. Guanine may be extracted in a crystalline form and, due to its iridescent nature, is often used in cosmetics to create a pearl-like shine. Adenine is the main component of adenine tri-phosphate, a chemical produced by the body to aid in the conversion of energy.
Uric Acid
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Uric acid is formed when the body breaks down the purines found in everyday foods like liver, beans and some fish. In humans and birds, uric acid is the final step in purine metabolism and it is normally dissolved in the blood and passed from the body as urine. Uric acid may crystallize into kidney stones or, as in the case of gout, crystallize in the joints to cause a painful arthritis. Both high and low levels of uric acid in the body can cause a number of ailments, among them multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
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Caffeine
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One of the most recognized purine, caffeine is a stimulant found in kola nuts, coffee beans and tea leaves, subsequently making its way into drinks like coffee, tea and soft drinks. Powdered caffeine is also found in a prescription and nonprescription drugs. Like other stimulants, caffeine is thought to be addictive and is said to be the world's most consumed psychoactive substance. It directly effects the central nervous system to keep people alert.
Theobromine
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Another commonly found, though lesser known purine is theobromine. Like caffeine, theobromine is also a very strong stimulant. Theobromine, not caffeine, is the stimulant found in chocolate though most confuse the two due to their similar chemical makeup and effects. Unlike caffeine, theobromine does not affect the central nervous system. Very small amounts of Theorbromine are found in kola nuts and guarana berries. Theobromine is also an additive in cough syrups as it has been shown to relax the bronchial muscles as well as the vagus nerve which runs from the lungs to the brain. The effects of theobromine on dogs can be fatal, as they have great trouble breaking it down --- thus the old warning that one should never feed a dog chocolate.
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