Natural remedies for gout can prove very helpful both in dealing with the pain that this condition brings as well as alleviating the problem itself. Gout is a form of arthritis which is caused when there is too much uric acid present in the blood, tissues and urine.
Excess uric acid which has accumulated in the blood and tissues crystallizes, which is where the problems begin. When it crystallizes it forms the shape of a needle, and jabs its way into the joints, obviously leading to a lot of pain and discomfort. Uric acid seems to prefer the joint of the big toe, but can also attack the mid foot, ankle, knee, wrist, or fingers.
Acute pain is usually the first symptom, followed by inflammation, redness, swelling, feeling hot and very sensitive to touch. Repeated attacks over a long period of time can eventually lead to joint damage.
Uric acid is actually a very powerful antioxidant, almost as beneficial as vitamin C, so it is not a bad substance, but only when found in excess does it become a problem for the body.
Approximately 70% of people who suffer from gout produce too much uric acid, and 30% have difficulty eliminating it from the body, while about 25% have a family history of these problems. Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood can also indicate poor kidney function.
Uric acid is a by-product of certain foods, so this condition is closely related to diet. Obesity and improper diet greatly increase the risk of developing gout. The risk is far greater with the consumption of too much rich food or alcohol.
It most often affects men between the ages of forty and fifty. This condition can be inherited or brought on by crash dieting, drinking, certain medications, overeating, stress, surgery, or injury to a joint.
Proper diagnosis of gout can be difficult, as several other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and certain infections can imitate the symptoms. The surest way to get a firm diagnosis of this condition is to have a physician insert a needle into the joint and withdraw some of the fluid, then check it under a microscope to look for the tell-tale needle shaped crystalls formed from the uric acid.
The application of these natural remedies for gout should prove to be beneficial in helping you to alleviate the problems with this painful condition.
When an attack of gout strikes, eat only raw fruits and vegetables for two weeks. Juices are best. Frozen or fresh cherry juice is best. Also drink celery juice diluted with distilled water. Blueberries, cherries, and strawberries neutralize uric acid and have antioxidant properties, so eat lots of them. Also include grains, seeds, and nuts in your diet.
Always maintain a diet low in purines. Purines are compounds which contribute to the formation of uric acid. Purine rich foods to avoid include anchovies, mackeral, shellfish, asparagus, consomme, herring, meat gravies and broths, mushrooms, mussels, sardines, peanuts, baker's and brewer's yeast, mincemeat, and sweetbreads. Thyme and thyroid extracts can also cause a problem if taken for extended periods of time.
Foods to include in your diet: rice, millet, starchy vegetables, corn, cornbread, fruit, cheese, eggs, nuts, and milk.
Consume plenty of good quality water, as higher fluid intakes promote the excretion of uric acid.
Eat no meat of any kind, as all meat contains high levels of uric acid.
Consume no alcohol. Alcohol both increases the production of uric acid and reduces its elimination.
Do not eat any fried foods, roasted nuts, or any other foods which contain or are cooked in oil which has been subjected to heat.
Avoid rich foods such as cakes and pies. Also avoid foods containing white flour and sugar.
Avoid the amino acid glycine, as it can be converted to uric acid more rapidly in people who suffer from gout.
Also limit your consumption of caffeine, cauliflower, dried beans, lentils, fish, eggs, oatmeal, peas, poultry, spinach, and yeast products.
If you are overweight, lose the excess pounds and you should lower your blood uric acid level. However, avoid very restrictive diets (crash diets). Abruptly cutting back on foods or fasting for more than 3 days may actually increase uric acid levels.
One helpful homeopathic natural remedy for gout consists of a combination of belladonna for severe pain, arnica for less intense pain, and rhus toxicodendron for joint pain and itching. Take 3X -12X strength and take one dose of each three times daily.
Also avoid taking high doses of niacin (over 50mg daily).
Very few women develop gout. Most of those who do are in there seventies when estrogen levels are low.
Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is helpful for flareups of gout. This oily liquid is applied topically and is very effective at reducing swelling and reducing pain. Use only DMSO from a healthfood store, as the commercial-grade stuff found at a hardware store is not suitable for healing purposes. Any contaminants either on the skin or in the product can be carried into the tissues by the action of the DMSO, so it must be used carefully.
Some people can have high levels of uric acid and have no symptoms of gout.
Deficiencies of certain nutrients can cause an attack. These include pantothenic acid (vit B5), vitamin A, and vitamin E.
People who have candida infections, or have taken antibiotics on and off for extended periods of time often have elevated levels of uric acid.
Because of the cellular destruction associated with chemotherapy in cancer treatment, uric acid is often released in extreme amounts, resulting in gouty arthritis.
We hope that you find these natural remedies for gout to be both helpful and informative.
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific condition, nor is it intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.
Sources
Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing". Garden City, NY.: Avery Publishing Group, 2006
Ritchason, Jack, ND. "The Little Herb Encyclopedia". Pleasant Grove, UT.: Woodland Health Books, 1995
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