If you have ever known anyone that has suffered gout, you have probably heard horror stories of sudden severe pain in their big toe, or crystal formation on the top of their ears, along with painful and inflamed joints. Gout can occur 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 alleviated and prevented by natural means. Gout accounts for about 5% of all types of Arthritis, and is most common in men over the age of 40. Once alleviated, it may take months or even years to return, with each subsequent time potentially becoming worse. Simple changes in lifestyle and diet, as well as other naturally remedies can help Gout sufferers, as well as contribute to preventing Gout.
Gout is an arthritic type that is characterized by pain and inflammation in joints. It is caused when Uric Acid levels increase in the blood and is called hyperuricemia. Gout is mostly caused by increased dietary intake of purine-rich foods, such as red meat and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Studies show that 75% of Gout sufferers will experience sudden redness, swelling, and sudden pain in their big toe, caused when uric acid crystallizes in your joints. The body then causes tissue inflammation to protect the joint, ultimately leading to excruciating pain for many people. When uric acid levels rise in the body, other health conditions can develop, including elevated cholesterol, hypertension, kidney stones, heart disease, and diabetes.
The most effective natural ways to rid of gout is to modify your diet. This includes lowering blood sugar, which can significantly lower inflammation levels in the body. Studies suggest that by simply lowering blood sugar gout risks can decrease up to 85%. Recent research has indicated that men who drink 1 to 2 sugary drinks per day have an 85% more likelihood of developing gout than those who drank 1 sugary drink per month. The best way to lower sugar is to eliminate HFCS from the diet, which includes all soft drinks and sugary beverages. Replace it with 10-12 glasses of water per day, and feel free to add a little bit of lemon juice to it. By increasing hydration and water consumption, this will help flush uric acid in the body. Add more exercise, as this allows circulation to increase, and again using the body's natural talents of circulation by stabilizing insulin levels. Research has also shown that exercise helps to increase your immune system, blood flow, and can decrease risk factors for diabetes.
Sorry folks, but alcohol can be a contributor to gout, and eliminating red wine and alcohol is imperative. Although red wine has many benefits towards health, this is one instance where it is best to avoid consumption. Alcohol causes dehydration, and for Gout sufferers, it can elevate insulin and uric acid levels, which can contribute to the onset of diabetes and gout.
Two fantastic ways to counteract and prevent Gout is to increase intake of persian cherry juice, or "tart cherries", and to consume celery seed. These cherries contain powerful phytochemicals called anthocyanins and bioflavanoids, which help prevent arthritis and gout, and can be found in most organic food stores. Persian cherry juice is very pure, containing up to 50-60 cherries per ounce, and contains less sugar. Celery seed help clear toxins and uric acid crystals from the body, and is an exceptional anti-inflammatory. Celery seed also helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Both can be found in your local organic food store. If one were so inclined, strawberries, a variety of other berries, and Nutmeg have also shown to have anti-inflammatory properties useful for gout.
Many conventional medications and over the counter NSAIDS have shown to help Gout sufferers. The only caveat is that many prescription and over the counter medications can incur a variety of side effects, including gastrointestinal problems and bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, rashes, dizziness, weight gain, fatigue, breathing issues, kidney and liver problems among many others. Because Gout can continue throughout the duration of one's lifetime, many people choose to take natural routes to prevention and relief, as opposed to consuming drugs for gout throughout their entire lifetime.
Gout can be a painful and debilitating condition, and there are 5 great ways to prevent and relieve these symptoms. This includes 1) increasing exercise, 2) eliminating high fructose corn syrup, fructose, sodas, sugary drinks, desserts, breads, and other sugary foods, 3) eliminating foods rich in purine content such as red meats, sardines, anchovies, and yeast from the 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 seed, and 6) increasing water intake to flush uric acid. By making healthier choices throughout your life, many of these adverse health conditions can be avoided. So goes the famous saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
No comments:
Post a Comment