If you’ve ever known someone who suffered from gout, you’ve probably heard horror stories of sudden severe pain in the big toe or crystal formation on the ears along with painful and inflamed joints. Gout can appear anywhere in the body and usually lasts 3-12 days. It is estimated that between 2 and 5 million people suffer from gout, a condition that in most cases can be managed and prevented naturally. Gout accounts for about 5% of all types of arthritis and is most common in men over the age of 40. Once relieved, it can take months or even years to return, with each subsequent time potentially getting worse. Simple lifestyle and diet changes and other natural remedies can help gout sufferers and help prevent gout.
Gout is an arthritic type characterized by pain and inflammation in the joints. It is caused when the level of uric acid in the blood rises and is called hyperuricemia. Gout is primarily caused by an increased dietary intake of purine-rich foods such as red meat and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Studies show that 75% of gout sufferers experience sudden redness, swelling and sudden big toe pain caused when uric acid crystallizes in your joints. The body then causes tissue inflammation to protect the joint, ultimately resulting in excruciating pain for many people. When uric acid levels rise in the body, other health conditions can develop, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney stones, heart disease, and diabetes.
The most effective natural way to get rid of gout is to change your diet. This includes lowering blood sugar, which can significantly lower levels of inflammation in the body. Studies suggest that simply lowering blood sugar can reduce the risk of gout by up to 85%. Recent research has shown that men who drink 1 to 2 sugary drinks per day are 85% more likely to develop gout than men who drank 1 sugary drink per month. The best way to lower sugar is to eliminate HFCS from your diet, which includes all soft drinks and sugary drinks. Replace it with 10-12 glasses of water a day and feel free to add a little lemon juice. By increasing fluid intake and water consumption, this will help flush out the uric acid in the body. Add in more exercise as it can increase blood flow and once again harness the body’s natural circulatory talents by stabilizing insulin levels. Research has also shown that exercise boosts the immune system and blood circulation and can reduce risk factors for diabetes.
Sorry folks, but alcohol can contribute to gout and avoiding red wine and alcohol is essential. Although red wine has many health benefits, this is one instance where it is best to avoid consumption. Alcohol causes dehydration and can increase insulin and uric acid levels in people with gout, which can contribute to the onset of diabetes and gout.
Two fantastic ways to counteract and prevent gout is to increase your intake of Persian cherry juice or “tart cherries” and consume celery seed. These cherries contain powerful phytochemicals called anthocyanins and bioflavanoids that help prevent arthritis and gout and are available at most health food stores. Persian cherry juice is very pure, contains up to 50-60 cherries per ounce, and contains less sugar. Celery seeds help remove toxins and uric acid crystals from the body and are exceptionally anti-inflammatory. Celery seeds also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. You can find both at your local health food store. If one were so inclined, strawberries, a variety of other berries, and nutmeg have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties useful in gout.
Many conventional drugs and over-the-counter NSAIDs have been shown to help people with gout. The only caveat is that many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause a variety of side effects, including gastrointestinal issues and bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, rashes, dizziness, weight gain, fatigue, breathing problems, kidney and liver problems, among many others . Because gout can last a lifetime, many people choose natural ways for prevention and relief rather than consuming gout medication throughout their lives.
Gout can be a painful and debilitating condition, and there are 5 great ways to prevent and relieve these symptoms. These include 1) exercising more, 2) avoiding high fructose corn syrup, fructose, sodas, sugary drinks, desserts, breads and other sugary foods, 3) avoiding foods high in purines such as red meat, sardines, anchovies and yeast diet, 4) reducing alcohol consumption of beer, red wine, and other alcoholic beverages, 5) increasing intake of tart cherries, strawberries, Persian cherry juice, other berries, and celery seeds, and 6) increasing water intake for urinary acid flushing. By making healthier choices throughout your life, many of these adverse health conditions can be avoided. As the famous saying goes: “Prevention is better than cure.”
Thanks to Dr. Chad Laurence
