Gout is metabolic disease that develops when uric acid isn’t being removed from the body in the way that it should be. Without a functional metabolic pathway, the acid builds up within a patient’s bloodstream and causes uric acid crystals to develop within bone joints around the body, most notably in the feet. These crystals ultimately lead to the patient developing inflammatory arthritis, chalk-stones, and acute pain.
The condition currently affects roughly 2.5% of the population, and the frequency of cases appears to be increasing over time. Fortunately, if you are suffering from gout, or are worried you may be developing the condition, there are several natural remedies for gout available for you to try.
1. Avoid Protein-Rich Diets
In humans, uric acid is produced when our bodies break down a type of chemical in food called purines. Many different types of food contain some level of purines, but high protein foods typically contain the highest concentrations of them. Meat and fish, such as lamb, beef, game, anchovies, mackerel, mussels, crab, and sardines are all very high in purines and can contribute to the build-up of uric crystals. Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, pancreas, and brain, are extremely high sources of purines and should be avoided in people with gout.
It is beneficial, therefore, to do what you can to cut these foods out of your daily intake. The ideal diet can vary significantly from person to person, but it’s been recommended to account for no more than 15% of your daily calories with these foods.
2. Watch What You Drink
Just as with high protein foods, sugary, carbonated drinks are responsible for a large proportion of the purines (and therefore uric acid) in your diet. Cutting down on the amount of fizzy drinks you have should help you to keep your uric acid levels low and stave off the development of gout.
Similarly, various types of alcohol can increase your blood concentration of uric acid, most notably beers and stouts. Spirits and wine are considered much less likely to result in gout, and so may be favorable choices for anyone concerned about the condition (although all alcohol carries risks and should be drunk responsibly).
At the same time, uric crystals are more likely to form in your joints when you start to become dehydrated. Drinking more water, particularly if you feel thirsty, is a great way to prevent crystals from building up and triggering arthritis. It’s advised that adults drink roughly 1.2 liters of water each day, although you should increase this level if you’re exercising a lot.
3. Watch Your Weight
Gout has also been linked to carrying too much body fat. Implementing a healthy diet with regular exercise should help you to keep in shape, reducing the chances of developing a number of health concerns, including gout.
4. Try Nutrition Supplements
There is a range of different vitamins and nutrients that can help to minimize the effects of gout. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation, which can help to reduce the symptoms of arthritis. These are particularly effective to take as a supplement.
Another popular choice is vitamin C supplements, which have been shown to reduce the level of uric acid in your blood. Proanthocyanidins and anthocyanidins (which are present at high levels in cherries) are compounds that can both reduce your blood levels of uric acid and minimize inflammation.
Alternative DrMCare provides a comprehensive protocol for helping relieve acute gouty attacks, as well as to help prevent chronic gout.
Final Thoughts
The solutions discussed here are just some of the natural cures for gout currently available. Various foods and practices have been promoted as possible treatments for the condition, many of which seem strange but can be effective (including wrapping cabbage leaves around painful joints!), but it is important to find the solution that works for you.