Bananas and Gout
Posted by ben in Gout Foods on May 19, 2010
Diets are like most things, taken in moderation in a balanced diet is the way to go.
Manage your Arthritis
Posted by gary in Manage your Arthritis on May 18, 2010
A few fact about Arthritis
Arthritis is an insidious disease that starts and continues at a slow rate of progress over many years developing into something that can only be described in general terms as pain, stiffness and often inflammation (heat and swelling) in one or more joints (Gout- Crystal arthritis) or muscles of the body.
There are more than 100 forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two common forms of this condition.
There are many techniques that can help you to manage your condition. These include medication, physiotherapy, exercise and self-education.
Symptoms of arthritis
Arthritis can affect a person at any age. Arthritis is more common in middle-aged and older people.
The symptoms may include:
- Persistent joint pain made worse by movement
- Inflammation that shows up as joint swelling, stiffness, redness and/or warmth
- Loss of flexibility or range of motion in a joint
- Loss of strength in the muscles supporting a joint
- Joint deformity
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Crepitus – the cracking noise arthritic joints make with movement.
Sometimes these symptoms are called ‘rheumatism’. Rheumatism isn’t a disorder in itself, but the word is often used to describe any sort of joint or muscle pain.
The workings of the joint
A joint like the knee or elbow is the meeting point between bones that allows movement. The workings of a joint include:
- Muscle – muscle tissue contracts and relaxes, usually in opposite working pairs, to move a joint.
- Tendon – a tough cord that anchors muscle to the bone.
- Ligament – tough cords, like bunches of rubber bands, that bind the bones of the joint together.
- Cartilage – smooth material found between the bones to stop them from grating against each other. Cartilage also acts as a shock absorber.
- Joint capsule – thick tissue that surrounds the ends of the bone of the joint.
- Synovial membrane – a membrane that lines the inside of the joint capsule. This membrane produces lubricating fluid to keep the joint moving smoothly and provide the cartilage with nutrients.
- Bursa – a pouch of lubricating fluid that reduces the friction between moving joint structures such as tendons and bones.
Eight categories of arthritis
Eight categories of arthritis and associated conditions have been identified. These categories are:
- Inflammatory – for example, rheumatoid arthritis. The membrane of the joint becomes inflamed. Other parts of the body can also be affected.
- Attachment arthritis – for example, ankylosing spondylitis. The ligament or tendon attached to the bone becomes inflamed, commonly in the heels and lower back.
- Crystal arthritis – for example, gout. Deposits of microscopic crystals of sodium urate are found in the joint, usually in the big toe.
- Joint infection – for example, staphylococcus. Bacteria infect the fluid inside the joint. This is commonly found in the hip, shoulder and knee.
- Cartilage degeneration – for example, osteoarthritis. The cartilage of the joint breaks down. This is commonly found in the knees, neck, lower back, hips and fingers.
- Muscle inflammation – for example, polymyalgia rheumatica. Muscle tissue becomes inflamed.
- Local conditions – for example, tendinitis. A local injury causes pain, such as tennis elbow.
- General conditions – for example, fibromyalgia. A condition characterised by non-specific muscle pain and sleep disturbance.
The importance of a correct diagnosis
As there are so many different types of arthritis, it is important that you seek a diagnosis if you suspect you have the condition. Treatment, especially medication, can differ greatly between different forms of arthritis. A correct diagnosis can ensure you get the most appropriate care.To know exactly what you are suffering from is the most important step you can take towards a better quality of life
Speak to your local doctor about your symptoms. They will take your history, examine your joints and may order an x-ray. If appropriate, your doctor will refer you to a specialist, often a rheumatologist, for diagnosis and specialised management of your condition.
Managing arthritis
Experiences of living with arthritis can be different from person to person. For each individual, symptoms can vary from day to day. Treatment and management options vary with the type of arthritis, its severity and the parts of the body that are affected.
Some tools you can use to help you manage arthritis include:
- Exercise – physical activity is the key to maintaining muscle strength and joint flexibility and managing your pain.
- Medication – different types of arthritis are treated by different medications which aim to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Aids and equipment – walking aids and specially designed cutlery, kitchen equipment and garden tools reduce joint strain and save physical energy. An occupational therapist can give you advice on aids.
- Education programs – self-management education programs can help people with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic (ongoing) conditions to build their skills and confidence to live with the condition. Arthritis Victoria can provide more information on these courses.
- Support and self-help groups – dealing with a chronic condition can be isolating. Being able to speak with o
thers who understand your condition can be a great relief. Support and self-help groups exist are around for people with all different forms of arthritis.
Exercise keeps joints mobile
Physical activity plays a major role in managing pain and keeping joints mobile and flexible. It also offers many other health benefits including weight control. A person with arthritis can choose from many different types of exercise.
A physiotherapist can help design an individual program for you.
Some physical activity options include:
- Warm water exercises
- Tai chi
- Strength training.
It is important to balance rest and exercise to avoid injury and fatigue.
Medication types
Arthritis medications aim to reduce pain and inflammation. Different types of arthritis are treated by different medications. These include:
- Paracetamol – for pain management, particularly for osteoarthritis.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – may be prescribed for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs aim to reduce inflammation and assist with pain management.
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – for inflammatory forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid and attachment arthritis. These medications reduce inflammation and slow the progress of joint damage.
It is important to discuss any medication or treatment for arthritis with your doctor or rheumatologist so they can monitor your treatment. They will take into account the illness being treated, any other health issues and identifiable risk factors.
Supportive therapies
A variety of approaches to treatment can be helpful. These may be used in conjunction with medical management and, for some people, management by medical specialists known as rheumatologists.
Health professions and therapies that may be able to help you in managing your arthritis include:
- Exercise physiology
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Chiropractics
- Acupuncture
- Osteopathy.
A note about Cox-2 inhibitors (coxibs)
Drugs described as Cox-2 inhibitors, also known as coxibs, are a newer group of NSAIDs. In 2005 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia advised doctors to take care when prescribing Cox-2 inhibitor drugs.
The medications in this group that may have been, or currently are, prescribed for people with arthritis are known by these brand names:
- Celebrex (celecoxib) – one study of Celebrex has suggested patients taking high doses of the drug (800mg per day) may have a higher risk of heart disease. However, two other studies have found no increased risk of heart disease. In Australia, the recommended and most commonly prescribed dosage of Celebrex is 200mg per day.
- Mobic (meloxicam) – the TGA recommends patients avoid taking more than 15mg of Mobic daily.
- Prexige (lumiracoxib) – the TGA withdrew registration for Prexige in August 2007, after reports of serious liver damage in some people taking this medication. All patients taking Prexige were advised to stop taking this medication and see their doctors for an assessment of their liver function.
- Vioxx (rofecoxib) – this was withdrawn from sale in Australia in 2004, after research demonstrated a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
As with all medicines your own reaction to any particular dosage and type should be monitored very closely.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Rheumatologist
Things to remember
- Arthritis is a general term that describes problems of the joints and muscles.
- There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis.
- In most forms of arthritis, it is important to keep active to prevent joints from becoming stiffer and prevent muscles from wasting.
Gout Overview
Posted by gary in Gout Overview on May 7, 2010
What is gout?
Gout is a common type of arthritis and has the unique distinction of being one of the most frequently recorded medical conditions throughout history. It is sometimes considered a ‘rich man’s’ disease because it is often associated with the intake of too much rich food and alcohol.
Uric acid
Gout occurs when there are abnormally elevated levels of uric acid in the blood and tissues. Uric acid is the end product of the metabolism of chemicals called purines that are found in many foods. Purines are also found naturally in the body. Normally, the body disposes of excess uric acid via the urine, but in people with gout uric acid accumulates in the body.
This can be due to reduced excretion of uric acid by the kidneys or to overproduction of uric acid by the body. This accumulation of uric acid may also cause kidney stones.
Gout attack
When uric acid accumulates in the blood and tissues it can crystallise out into a joint, forming a multitude of tiny, jagged, needle-shaped crystals. This triggers an intense inflammatory response that causes a painful arthritis attack called a gout attack.
This type of attack commonly strikes the big toe, but other joints can be affected, including the instep, ankle, knee, wrist, elbow and fingers. Acute pain is generally the first symptom and then the affected joint becomes inflamed (almost infected-looking): red, swollen, hot and extremely sensitive to the touch.
Hyperuricaemia
Some people may have high levels of uric acid in the blood (this is called hyperuricaemia), but have no arthritis pain. This sometimes happens to close relatives of gout sufferers. Many people with high levels of uric acid do not develop gout, while sometimes people with repeated gout attacks have normal or low levels of uric acid.
Who is at risk of developing gouty arthritis?
Gout is roughly 9 times more common in men than women and is most common in middle-aged men. It is strongly associated with being overweight and having high blood pressure. Gout can also occur in women, more commonly after menopause.
Maori and Pacific Islander peoples tend to have high uric acid levels and are predisposed to gout. In Australia, the type of individual most commonly affected by gout is an overweight man who drinks large amounts of alcohol, is a regular meat-eater and who may have high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Risk factors for developing gout
Uric acid is a by-product of the breakdown of certain foods in the body, and gout was once considered to be closely related to diet. It is now understood that inheriting it is the most common reason for gout to occur.
Certain medications, such as some types of diuretics, can also cause gout. Aspirin and niacin can also raise uric acid levels. Also, certain diseases can lead to an excessive production of uric acid in the body, including some leukaemias, lymphomas and some haemoglobin disorders.
Some studies have indicated an increased prevalence of abnormally low thyroid hormone levels (called hypothyroidism) in people with gout.
Aggravating factors
There are a number of conditions that can cause acute attacks of gout. These include:
dehydration;
injury to a joint;
excessive intake of purine-containing foods;
sudden starvation;
heavy alcohol intake; and
recent surgery (this may be related to changes in the body fluid balance because of fasting before surgery).
What are the symptoms of gout?
The most common site for gout attacks is the base of the big toe, but gout may affect ankles, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows. Symptoms of an attack include:
sudden, intense pain in a joint;
swelling, inflammation and a feeling that the joint is very hot;
reddish discolouration;
marked tenderness (this tenderness can be so intense that even a blanket touching the skin can be unbearable); and
chills or fever, in some cases.
A gout attack usually strikes unexpectedly, but usually subsides in a few days with treatment. However, some people experience pain for several weeks. Gout attacks often re-occur and without the correct management, attacks may become more frequent.
You should contact your doctor if severe pain in a joint recurs or lasts more than a few days, especially if the pain is accompanied by chills or fever.
Tests for gout
Blood tests can be done to measure the amount of uric acid in the blood, although this may not be conclusive of gout.
Also, your doctor can insert a needle into the affected joint, remove some fluid from the area and examine this fluid for the uric acid crystals characteristic of gout. This can also exclude other problems (such as infection) being the cause of the painful swollen joint.
Prevention of gout
Preventing acute gout attacks is equally as important as treating the gout. Prevention of gout generally involves: maintaining adequate fluid intake to promote the excretion of uric acid; weight reduction, if necessary. This can be achieved by reducing dietary fat and calorie intake, which should be combined with a regular aerobic exercise programme. However, crash diets should be avoided as this can lead to an increase in uric acid levels through lowered uric acid excretion; dietary changes to reduce uric acid levels in the blood. You should avoid purine-rich foods such as shellfish, organ meats (liver, brains, kidney etc.), and anchovies and sardines. You should also limit the intake of dried beans and peas and yeast products; and reduction or elimination of alcohol consumption. Alcohol can cause uric acid levels to rise and can also have a diuretic effect that can add to dehydration and precipitate gout attacks.
Treatment of an acute attack of gout
Pain relievers, such as paracetamol or other more powerful analgesics, are used to manage the pain.
Anti-inflammatories, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are used to decrease joint inflammation and reduce the pain.
If NSAIDs cannot be given because of an ulcer, colchicine may be used to settle an attack.
Steroids may be given by mouth or injected into the joint to control an attack of gout.
Aspirin must be avoided.
Resting the joint, possibly in a splint, and applying ice packs may help.
Medications to avoid recurrent attacks
Allopurinol is used in long-term prevention of gout and decreases the body’s production of uric acid.
Medications may be used to increase uric acid passed in the urine. These types of medications (uricosuric drugs), for example probenecid, assist in reducing the risk of recurrent attacks of arthritis, kidney stones and kidney disease.
People experiencing gout attacks should, however, avoid medications containing aspirin as these can make gout worse.
Self-help for gout
- Look for further information
- Learning all about gout .
- Try learning all about natural remedies
- When the affected joint is a big toe, a box or cage to keep the bedclothes off the toe may be helpful.
- The continued compliance to a good diet is essential for a more pleasent life style
Management and Treatment of Gout
Posted by gary in Management and Treatment of Gout on April 30, 2010
The first point of call after you suspect that you have had a gout attack is to see your Doctor for his/hers opinion and treatment.
The information that they would be giving in part would include the information below:
This information is only part of the total to help you in understanding what is the best treatment for you as an individual, a treatment that suits your body and life style
Treatment objectives include managing the symptoms of an acute attacks and preventing further attacks via reducing serum uric acid levels.
Options for treatment include application of cold, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and colchicine.
Ice applied for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day decreases pain.
NSAIDS
NSAIDS are the usual first line treatment for gout with no significant difference between agents in effectiveness.
Improvement may be seen within 4 hours. They however are not recommended in those with certain other health problems such as gastrointestinal bleeding, renal failure, or heart failure.
While indomethacin is historically the most commonly used NSAID, due to concerns of side effects and no evidence of greater benefit, an alternative like ibuprofen may be preferred.
For those at risk of gastric irritation from NSAIDs, an additional proton pump inhibitor may be given.
Steroids
Glucocorticoids have been found to be equally effective to NSAIDs and may be used if contraindications exist for NSAIDs.
Intra-articular steroids have also been found to be effective however the risk of concurrent joint infection must be ruled out.
Colchicine
Colchicine is an alternative for those unable to tolerate NSAIDs. Its side effects (primarily gastrointestinal upset) has decreased its usage.
Gastrointestinal upset however depends on the dose and the risk can be decreased by using smaller yet still effective doses.
Colchicine may interact with other commonly prescribed drugs such as atorvastatin and erythromycin among others.
Epidemiology
Gout affects 1% of the Western population at some point in their lifetime and is increasing in prevalence. This increases to 2% in men over the age of 30 and women over the age of 50.
Different populations have different propensities to develop gout. In the United States, gout is twice as prevalent in African American males as it is in European-Americans.
It is high among the peoples of the Pacific Islands, and the Māori of New Zealand, but rare in Australian aborigines despite the latter’s higher mean concentration of serum uric acid
In the United States and Italy, attacks of gout occur more frequently in the spring.
Conclusion
People can react in many ways to all sort of different treatments depending on life styles, diet, and many more propensities to react to different types of gout cures that we as individuals have.The propensities towards any medicene whether it is prescribed or not to react one way or the other is in our make up as individuals make it esential that we evaluate all information and treatments to gives us a way to lead a life style we are looking for and deserve.
Natural Gout Remedies is one way to look at your gout control.
The improvements in todays medicine is such that whatever treatment suits you make sure you have a medical check up by your doctor as required on a regular bases.
Gout and Soft Drinks
Posted by gary in Gout and Soft drink on March 8, 2010
As reported in The British Medical Journal a study of soft drinks, fructose consumption, and the risk of gout in men arrived at the following conclusion;
The studies Participants were made up by 46 393 men with no history of gout at baseline who provided information on intake of soft drinks and fructose through validated food frequency questionnaires.
Results During the 12 years of follow-up 755 confirmed incident cases of gout were reported. Increasing intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks was associated with an increasing risk of gout. Compared with consumption of less than one serving of sugar sweetened soft drinks a month the multivariate relative risk of gout for
5-6 servings a week was 1.29 (a 29% increase)
for one serving a day was 1.45 (a 45% increase)
and for two or more servings a day was 1.85 (a 85% increase)
Diet soft drinks were not associated with risk of gout
Other major contributors to fructose intake such as total fruit juice or fructose rich fruits (apples and oranges) were also associated with a higher risk of gout
Conclusions Prospective data suggest that consumption of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout in men. Furthermore, fructose rich fruits and fruit juices may also increase the risk. Diet soft drinks were not associated with the risk of gout.
I believe that in the last 20 years the consumption of sugar has increased in the U.S.from 26 pounds to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year.
Prior to the turn of this century (1887-1890), the average consumption was only 5 lbs. per person per year.
Today the average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering the “hidden” highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, to name a few.
To make your gout diet work you need to look at the ingreadients in your gout recipes, those hidden ingredients that you might not be aware of that could be effecting your gout cure.
Gout History Starts in the Year 2,600 BC
Posted by gary in Gout History on March 1, 2010
The first written description of gout dates from 2,600 BC, when Egyptians noted gouty arthritis of the big toe. Around 400 BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates also commented on gout. Writing ca. 30 AD, Aulus Cornelius Celsus appeared to recognize many of the features of gout, including its link with a urinary solute, late onset in women, linkage with alcohol, and perhaps even prevention by dairy products:
“Again thick urine, the sediment from which is white, indicates that pain and disease are to be apprehended in the region of joints or viscera. … Joint troubles in the hands and feet are very frequent and persistent, such as occur in cases of podagra and cheiragra. These seldom attack eunuchs or boys before coition with a woman, or women except those in whom the menses have become suppressed. Upon the commencement of pain, blood should be let; for when this is carried out at once in the first stages it ensures health, often for a year, sometimes for always. Some also, when they have washed themselves out by drinking asses’ milk, evade this disease in perpetuity; some have obtained lifelong security by refraining from wine, mead and venery for a whole year; indeed this course should be adopted especially after the primary attack, even although it has subsided.
Around 200 AD, the Roman gladiatorial surgeon Galen described gout as a discharge of the four humors of the body in unbalanced amounts into the joints. The word “gout” was initially used by Randolphus of Bocking, around 1200 AD. It is derived from the Latin word “gutta”, meaning “a drop” (of liquid).
The first written description of gout dates from 2,600 BC, when Egyptians noted gouty arthritis of the big toe.
The Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek described the microscopic appearance of urate crystals in 1679.
In 1848 English physician Alfred Baring Garrod realised that excess uric acid in the blood was the cause of gout.
Dr. Thomas Sydenham’s 1683 description of an acute gout attack (translated from the Latin in 1850) is still referenced today. Dr. Sydeham was himself a gout sufferer.
The Tyrannosaurus rex specimen known as “Sue” appears to have suffered from gout.
Historical treatments for gout include gin and numerous medications that have since been found to be not effective. Sodium bicarbonate is a traditional remedy,thought to work by raising blood pH (lowering blood acidity). However, the added sodium may be inappropriate for some people.
Anton van Leeuwenhoek described the microscopic appearance of uric acid crystals in 1679.
The victim goes to bed and sleeps in good health. About two o’clock in the morning, he is awakened by a severe pain in the great toe; more rarely in the heel, ankle or instep. This pain is like that of a dislocation, and yet the parts feel as if cold water were poured over them. Then follows chills and shiver and a little fever. The pain which at first moderate becomes more intense. After a time this comes to full height, accommodating itself to the bones and ligaments of the tarsus and metatarsus. Now it is a violent stretching and tearing of the ligaments-now it is a gnawing pain and now a pressure and tightening. So exquisite and lively meanwhile is the feeling of the part affected, that it cannot bear the weight of bedclothes nor the jar of a person walking in the room.
Source: Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology
A 1799 cartoon depicting gout.
Today
We are out of the dark ages and into a more enlightened age that allows us to look at history,the history of gout is riddled with indicators of how to prevent gout and by refining this knowledge to our day to day living including gout diets and gout remedies that this modern world has come up with, will all help towards a gout cure
Gout Diet
Posted by gary in Gout Foods, gout diets on February 15, 2010
Traditional gout medicines are expensive so let us look at particular foods that according to a number of studies have no increased risk:
- peas
- beans
- mushrooms
- cauliflower
- spinach
The above foods are high in purines but taken with low fat dairy products decreases the risk of gout.
Food for gout sufferers that are very high in purines includes:
- herring
- hearts
- mussels
- smelt
- sardines
- sweetbreads
- yeast
Food for gout sufferers that are moderately high in purines include:
- anchovies
- mutton
- veal
- bacon
- liver
- turkey
- trout
- haddock
- scallops
- Sweetbreads
- Sardines
- Beef kidneys
- Brains
- Meat extracts
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Scallops
- Gravy
Amounts of purines are found in all meats, fish and poultry. For this reason, limit animal protein in your diet to no more than 5 to 6 ounces of lean meat, poultry or fish a day.
- Avoid alcohol or drink it in moderation. Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of hyperuricemia because it interferes with the removal of uric acid from the body. If you’re having a gout attack, avoid alcohol completely.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids can help remove uric acid from the body. However, limit consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks, which have been linked to an increased risk of gout.
- Excess weight puts more stress on your joints and increases the risk of hyperuricemia and gout. Maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid fasting or rapid-weight-loss diets because they can increase uric acid levels in the blood. Also, avoid low-carbohydrate diets that are high in protein and fat, which can increase hyperuricemia. Lose weight if you’re overweight.
As an individual you should tailor your diet to suit your own needs as a variation to a gout diet with the inclusion of herbal medication homeopathic remedies is how to prevent gout.
The Gout Remedy Report
Posted by gary in Gout History, Gout Remedy, life style on January 28, 2010
In order to help ourselves we need to know the salient fact about gout, this approach is the only way towards a cure your gout
This report has a wholistic approach taking in the History of gout to the life style that you previously had.
Even if you don’t have gout but have a family history this report is a big help in determining whether or not you have gout or perhaps gives you pointers on changing your diet to prevent the onset of gout. Very Helpful
Is Gout Preventable?
Again, the answer is YES!!! He says so in the report and goes on to explain how that can be achieved.
It’s important to know that, if you’ve suffered from gout once, you may suffer from gout again. But the good news is there is ample information in the Gout Remedy Report to help you learn everything you need to know about treating gout, and then preventing it from ever occurring again.
The information in The Gout Remedy Report is life changing
It is an easy to follow step-by-step gout remedy system, with the most comprehensive gout information available, including alternative remedies, treatments, and rock-solid prevention strategies that is available in a number of formats.
The reviews are well worth reading
Check out the options you are given
Check out the extra Bonus Reports, they are Free
All in all I thought the information was quite comprehensive and would be of benefit to most people adding to that is his money back guarantee that extends for twelve months.
That guarantee in its self is a positive indicator of how good the information is, that it is more than capable of moving you to a life style you deserve and need.
To view the report click below
The Gout Remedy Report
Lifestyle
Posted by gary in life style on December 16, 2009
With lifestyle choices increasing the risk of gout, changes to lifestyle may prevent it. Lowering intake of dietary purines from meat and seafood, consuming adequate vitamin C, limiting alcohol and fructose ingestion, and avoiding obesity have all been shown to be effective in preventing gout.
Vitamin C in take of 1,500 mg decreases the risk of gout by 45% compared to 250 milligrams per day
Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid foods that are high in purines and drink plenty of water.
fructose Ingestion
The monosaccharide found in many foods. It is a white solid that dissolves readily in water. Honey, tree fruits, berries, melons, and some root vegetables contain significant amounts of the fructose derivative sucrose (table sugar). Sucrose is a disaccharide derived from the condensation of glucose and fructose.
Crystalline fructose and high-fructose corn syrup are often confused as the same product. Crystalline fructose, which is often produced from a fructose-enriched corn syrup, is indeed the monosaccharide. High-fructose corn syrup, however, is usually a mixture of nearly equal amounts of fructose and glucose.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight.
Ask your doctor about how to lose weight safely.
Fast weight loss can increase uric acid levels in the blood.
Maintain a balanced diet.
Herbal Remedies
Posted by gary in herbal remedes on December 16, 2009
Gout is considered one of our longest-known diseases having been diagnosed over 2,000 years ago, giving herbal remedies long history of gout control.
Herbal remedies for gout have become very popular in recent years. Two of the most asked about herbal remedies for gout are: vitamin C, and cherries to cure gout. The main reasons for the popularity of natural/herbal remedies is that traditional gout medications do have side effects.
Remedies
Alfalfa is a good source of minerals and other nutrients that help reduce serum uric acid.
Bilberry is high in anthocyanosides and flavonoids, which are helpful in overcoming gout.
Black cherry juice Get some natural, concentrated black cherry juice and drink several tablespoons of the concentrate daily. You should expect relief in 48 hours.
Black cohash moderates blood acidity.
Blueberries are high in anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins, which help ease the pain of gout.
Buchu tea helps dissolve and flush out uric acid crystals.
Castor oil packs Soak a piece of white flannel in warm castor oil, wring it out and place over the affected area; cover with plastic wrap and apply a heating pad. Do this for one hour twice daily.
Cherries consuming 225 g (1/2 pound) of fresh or canned cherries per day has been known to be very effective in lowering uric acid levels and preventing attacts of gout. Cherries, hawthorn berries, blueberries and other dark red-blue berries are rich sources of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. These compounds are flavonoid molecules that give these fruits their deep red-blue color.
Devil’s claw reduces uric acid levels and is a natural cleansing agent for toxic impurities. Take 400 mg of the dried extract 3x a day for as long as desired.
DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) is very effective in relieving pain and swelling caused by inflammation. It helps dissolve crystalline deposits.
Garlic Eat several cloves of raw garlic daily. Mince the garlic and add it to black cherry juice for a potent remedy.
Ginger Put 1/3 cup of ground ginger (buy in bulk to keep the cost down) in a bathtub of water and soak for 30 minutes. This will cause you to sweat (a good thing) which will help eliminate the uric acid from your tissues. When you are finished the bath be sure to rinse off thoroughly, as the ginger can cause skin irritation if it dries on your skin.
Grapes are high in alkalines which lessen the acidity of uric acid and aid in its elimination from the body.
Hawthorn is high in anthocyanosides and flavonoids, which are helpful in overcoming gout.
Hydrangea is an anti-inflammatory.
Ice Apply an ice pack for ten minutes, then alternate with a moist hot-towel compress, to soothe and numb the pain.
Mullein Soak mullein leaves in a hot vinegar/water mixture. Pack the leaves on the affected area.
Nettle contains alkaloids which neutralize uric acid.
Parsley acts as a natural diuretic.
Pine-bark and grape-seed extracts act to reduce inflammation, thus easing pain. Take 50 to 100 milligrams of either two to three times daily.
Red clover has traditionally been one of the standard remedies for gout, as well as removing toxins from the body, and treating psoriasis, eczema, and hot flashes. Studies have shown that red clover may thin the blood, so it should not be used by patients who are also taking an anticoagulant medication. While red clover is high in isoflavones, the reason it is helpful in treating gout has not been studied.
Saffron neutralizes uric acid buildup.
Spearmint Make a poultice of spearmint leaves and wrap the affected area.
Strawberries Eating a cup of strawberries with each meal should bring quick relief. They neutralize uric acid.
Yarrow Make a tea by using equal parts of yarrow and stinging nettles; strain, cool and drink several cups a day.
The information about gout diets, gout remedeis/herbal medication such as herbal teas are more benificial when used in combination the right combination.The right diet in combination with exercise.
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