Tartaric (Males Under Age 13)

Tartaric Acid is measured to be above the normal range.

Widely distributed in fruits, tartaric acid is particularly high in grapes, raisins, and in wine. It may also be found in some soft drinks and baked goods (as "cream of tartar"). Therefore, the elevation of tartaric acid may be due to recent ingestion of higher than usual amounts of some of these foods. In chemical structure, tartaric acid is very similar to malic acid; thus, elevated blood or tissue levels may interfere with malic acid's role in the "malate shuttle", which carries reducing equivalents (protons) into the mitochondria. Aside from dietary sources, elevated urine tartrate can be the result of (intestinal) yeast overgrowth. A stool analysis with microbiology is suggested if dietary sources are ruled out.

Possible causes:

- Ingestion of tartaric acid-containing foods

- Joint inflammation leading to release of hyaluronic acid

- High tartaric acid can be due to yeast or fungal issues

- May result from a lack of B12.

Treatment considerations:

- Rule out tartaric acid-containing foods (fruits, especially grapes, raisins or wine; also as “cream of tartar” in some soft drinks & baked goods)

- Address any joint inflammation

Other possible causes:

High tartaric is associated with aspergillus mold. Arabinose is linked to candida. Probiotics may be helpful in improving diversity of the microbiome which can help against overgrowth of fungus. However, it typically requires more than just probiotics to reduce or eliminate overgrowth of fungal species in the digestive system for many people. For example, the use of antimicrobial botanicals and/or prescription antifungals like Nystatin may be necessary. 

Breakdown product of hyaluronic acid; also found in some foods.