Gout is a complex form of arthritis and is characterized by sudden and severe attacks of pain, redness, tenderness and swelling the in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe (approximately 50% of cases). Other joints, such as the heels, knees, wrists and fingers, may also be affected. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid crystallizes, and the crystals deposit in joints, causing a lot of pain and inflammation. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly vulnerable to gout after menopause.
Here are the best natural gout treatments that involve diet and lifestyle changes:
Lose weight
Controlling your weight is essential if you have gout. Results from study published in 2010 at Boston University School of Medicine found that obesity is a major risk factor for gout. About half of all gout sufferers are found to be overweight, and this excess weight worsens the situation. It is therefore evident from this study that losing weight, and maintaining a proper body weight, will greatly improve the chances of further gout attacks.
Drink water
Increasing water intake helps to flush uric acid from the system and prevents build up of crystallization of uric acid around the joints. So drink plenty of water, about 8 glasses a day, and stay hydrated. You can add to the water the juice of half lemon into an 8-oz. glass of warm water. Drink it in the morning about 30 minutes before breakfast. The lemon water will help you manage your gout, as lemon juice helps prevent the formation of urate crystals and keeps your blood and urine pH slightly alkaline. Find here more information about 8 health benefits of drinking lemon water.
Foods to avoid
Avoid foods that are rich sourches of uric acid. These include organ meats and seafoods such as sardines and anchovies. It is also advised to eliminate coffee and all other caffeine sources from your diet, reduce sugar consumption and alcohol.
Foods to eat:
1. Pineapple
Although there is a need for further scientific evidence to confirm pineapple’s efficacy, it is believed that bromelain, a compound of digestive enzymes, as well as other compounds, can reduce gout and ease pain. If you cannot get fresh pineapples, also canned pineapples or pineapple juice can help ease your pain by consuming it daily to help reduce inflammation. Pineapple has a range of other health benefits and you can use it as a natural medicine.
2. Grapes
Adding grapes to your diet can lower uric acid in the blood stream and thus helping to prevent gout.
3. Cherries and berries
Cherries, along with strawberries and other berries, are a rich source of antioxidants and help fight inflammation in the body. Tart cherries and strawberries contain two powerful compounds, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids that help to relieve and prevent arthritis and gout in your body. Other berry types are similarly rich in these kinds of antioxidants. You can find more information about the amazing healing properties of berries in my e-book The Healing Berry Guide which will teach you how to transform your health with berries. Recent studies have found that eating about 30 pieces of cherries within 48 hours of a gout attack may cut the risk of recurrence of gout pain significantly. Eat tart cherries in all forms – fresh, or as cherry juice, or in the form of tart cherry extract. Read more about tart cherries for joint inflammation here.
4. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
ACV is packed of nutrients, but the ingredient thought to be most effective in treating and preventing gout is acetic acid. Although ACV tastes acidic, the acetic acid turns alkaline inside the body and creates a pH-balanced environment that gout can’t thrive in. Although further research needs to be done to verify these claims, it is believed that drinking apple cider vinegar can break up uric acid crystals and prevent them from reforming in the joints, helping blood circulation and purification, and reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints, thus allowing for better flexibility of the joints. Take 2-3 tablespoons of undiluted ACV, twice or three times a day. If you cannot manage to consume pure undiluted ACV, mix it in a glass of water.
Here are the best natural gout treatments that involve diet and lifestyle changes:
Lose weight
Controlling your weight is essential if you have gout. Results from study published in 2010 at Boston University School of Medicine found that obesity is a major risk factor for gout. About half of all gout sufferers are found to be overweight, and this excess weight worsens the situation. It is therefore evident from this study that losing weight, and maintaining a proper body weight, will greatly improve the chances of further gout attacks.
Drink water
Increasing water intake helps to flush uric acid from the system and prevents build up of crystallization of uric acid around the joints. So drink plenty of water, about 8 glasses a day, and stay hydrated. You can add to the water the juice of half lemon into an 8-oz. glass of warm water. Drink it in the morning about 30 minutes before breakfast. The lemon water will help you manage your gout, as lemon juice helps prevent the formation of urate crystals and keeps your blood and urine pH slightly alkaline. Find here more information about 8 health benefits of drinking lemon water.
Foods to avoid
Avoid foods that are rich sourches of uric acid. These include organ meats and seafoods such as sardines and anchovies. It is also advised to eliminate coffee and all other caffeine sources from your diet, reduce sugar consumption and alcohol.
Foods to eat:
1. Pineapple
Although there is a need for further scientific evidence to confirm pineapple’s efficacy, it is believed that bromelain, a compound of digestive enzymes, as well as other compounds, can reduce gout and ease pain. If you cannot get fresh pineapples, also canned pineapples or pineapple juice can help ease your pain by consuming it daily to help reduce inflammation. Pineapple has a range of other health benefits and you can use it as a natural medicine.
2. Grapes
Adding grapes to your diet can lower uric acid in the blood stream and thus helping to prevent gout.
3. Cherries and berries
Cherries, along with strawberries and other berries, are a rich source of antioxidants and help fight inflammation in the body. Tart cherries and strawberries contain two powerful compounds, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids that help to relieve and prevent arthritis and gout in your body. Other berry types are similarly rich in these kinds of antioxidants. You can find more information about the amazing healing properties of berries in my e-book The Healing Berry Guide which will teach you how to transform your health with berries. Recent studies have found that eating about 30 pieces of cherries within 48 hours of a gout attack may cut the risk of recurrence of gout pain significantly. Eat tart cherries in all forms – fresh, or as cherry juice, or in the form of tart cherry extract. Read more about tart cherries for joint inflammation here.
4. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
ACV is packed of nutrients, but the ingredient thought to be most effective in treating and preventing gout is acetic acid. Although ACV tastes acidic, the acetic acid turns alkaline inside the body and creates a pH-balanced environment that gout can’t thrive in. Although further research needs to be done to verify these claims, it is believed that drinking apple cider vinegar can break up uric acid crystals and prevent them from reforming in the joints, helping blood circulation and purification, and reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints, thus allowing for better flexibility of the joints. Take 2-3 tablespoons of undiluted ACV, twice or three times a day. If you cannot manage to consume pure undiluted ACV, mix it in a glass of water.
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