 Gout is a
condition where uric acid builds up in the joints, causing painful
inflammation, redness and sometimes swelling. It is most commonly
found in the big toe, particularly in men (nine out of ten
sufferers are male), although it is more common in women after
menopause.
It also appears to be hereditary, since 20% of those suffering from
gout have a history of it in the family. Occurrences of gout are
most common at night and can be quite acute. If left alone, the
pain typically lasts anywhere between five and ten days, gradually
subsiding, until it disappears. Effectively, the body slowly
dissipates the build-up of uric acid, but the cause is still there.
Western medicine recommends the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to
combat the pain, and uric-acid lowering drugs for prevention.
Natural Remedies for Gout
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Quercetin
Quercetin is a naturally occurring plant pigment, found in apples,
capers, broccoli and other leafy vegetables. As a preventative for
gout it is highly recommended, not for its antioxidant power, but
in fact for its flavonoid structure, which stops the build-up of
uric acid.
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Devil’s Claw
The herb devil's claw, an extract from the grapple plant, is
sometimes recommended as a pain-relieving treatment for gout, as
well as various forms of arthritis.
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Celery
Medicinal plant authority and botanist, James Duke, PhD, treats his
gout with 4 x 450mg capsules of celery seed extract daily. Despite
the lack of evidence to support its medicinal use, Duke claims that
celery is loaded with anti-inflammatory qualities, and hasn’t had
an attack since he began the treatment.
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Cherries
Cherries are well known as a preventative for gout. Black, sweet
yellow and red sour cherries are all effective, as are tablets of
concentrated cherry juice. In the 1950’s a study revealed that
eating one-half pound of cherries a day prevented the onset of
gout!
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Vitamin C
It has been proven in a number of scientific tests, that 500mg
taken daily of Vitamin C can significantly reduce uric acid levels,
and therefore reduce the onset of gout. Taken in conjunction with
other remedies, this is recommended as a very good natural
preventative.
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Diet
One of the main contributors to uric-acid build up in the body is
diet. Thus avoiding shellfish, preserved fish (mackerel, sardines
and herring), liver, red meat and poultry can considerably help to
reduce outbreaks of gout. Sugar derivatives like sucrose and
fructose, should also be limited.
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