Natural Remedies for Gout
Effective natural remedies for gout...Gout is an extremely painful condition - but you don't just have to live with it! Did you know that natural remedies for gout, and changes in diet, can effectively treat and cure your gout...? Find out more .... To most people, gout might seem an old fashioned kind of disease. Most people have a pretty clear picture in their heads of a typical gout sufferer – overweight, red cheeked, rich and over-indulgent! If you are unlucky enough to suffer from gout, you will know that in reality, this isn’t the case! Gout is an incredibly painful condition – and in most cases has little to do with over-indulgence! - Gout is caused by a substance called ’uric acid’.
- Uric acid is normally processed by the kidneys, and leaves the body as urine. When there is too much uric acid in the body, in can accumulate in the joints as crystals of uric acid.
- These crystals are like tiny shards of ground glass - so if you don’t already know, from personal experience, how painful gout can be, you can imagine very well from this description!
Symptoms of Gout
- The joint pain usually comes on suddenly, and at night.
- The joint feels swollen and hot.
- The big toe is the most common part affected by gout, but gout can also affect:
- knees
- elbows
- wrists
- ankles
- ears
- fingers
- Occasionally, gout sufferers may also get fevers or chills.
- ’Attacks’ of gout can last for days, or weeks if untreated.
- Attacks may have a gap of several months or even years in between – eventually they happen more often, until you have gout all the time.
- You should get a firm diagnosis of gout from your doctor. This usually involves a blood or urine test.
- Natural remedies for gout are very effective in treating the disease. Unlike more conventional treatments, natural remedies for gout treat the causes of the disease – and don’t just try to blank out the symptoms.
Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.
Conventional Remedies for Gout
- Conventional gout remedies can be very effective - but do tend to have quite nasty side effects:
- stomach pain
- indigestion
- stomach ulcers and bleeding
- nausea
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- skin rashes
- nightmares
- cataracts
- Drugs often need to be taken long term to prevent future attacks. Taking chemicals and drugs long term is, understandably, something that lots of people prefer to avoid if at all possible.
- Natural remedies for gout are definitely a safer bet for long term use – and can be just as effective in controlling your gout.
Causes of Gout
- Most people with gout are actually genetically pre-disposed to develop it.
- There are lifestyle factors at work though, even amongst the people genetically more likely to develop gout, so don’t give up hope….
- Of course, as with most holistic remedies, the most effective natural remedy for gout is to adjust your diet and lifestyle.
- This can completely cure milder cases of gout, and will certainly improve more severe cases as well.
Diet and Lifestyle Factors
- One of the main causes of gout is now thought to be excessive consumption of beer!
- Other foods to avoid, for a better natural remedy for gout are:
- alcohol
- white flour
- white sugar
- saturated fats
- yeast
- oatmeal
- poultry
- sardines and herring
- anchovies
- mussels
- luncheon meat
- offal
- spinach
- asparagus
- cauliflower
- peas
- mushrooms
- lentils and beans
- These are all foods high in a substance called ’purine’. Purine breaks down in the body to form uric acid (which causes gout) – so, logically, avoiding these foods will be one of the best natural remedies for gout.
- Instead, go for:
- raw fruit and vegetables – especially:
- pineapple
- black cherries
- blueberries
- strawberries
- fresh vegetable juices
- vegetable soups
- fiber – whole grains
- nuts and seeds
- Drink plenty of water
Improving your diet is definitely one of the most effective (and long lasting!) gout natural remedies – but there are also supplements and herbal natural health remedies, which can greatly help too…
Supplements That can Help Gout
- These should be taken long term, as gout natural remedies, for the best effect:
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin E – with Selenium and Alpha – lipoic acid (ALA)
- Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
- Omega 3 – present in fish oils
- Omega 6 – present in evening primrose oil
- Take twice as much Omega 6 as Omega 3
- Bromelain – present in fresh pineapple
Herbal Natural Gout Remedies
These herbal natural gout remedies can be taken when a gout attack comes on. They will be more effective though, when taken over a longer period.Grapeseed
Turmeric
Boswellia
Devil's Claw
Yucca
Celery Seed
Grapeseed - Grapeseed is a pretty powerful natural gout remedy.
- It works as an anti-oxidant, which helps prevent damage to joints, and soothe inflammation.
- Take capsules
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Turmeric - This is the same spice used on Indian food. Turmeric contains anti-oxidant substances which help to prevent damage to joints (in the same way as Grapeseed, above).
- It helps to reduce inflammation, and soothes the pain and stiffness of a gout attack.
- It works really well taken with Boswellia (below).
- Take capsules.
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Boswellia - This is also known as ‘Indian frankincense’. It works well with Turmeric (above).
- It helps to reduce inflammation and helps joints to heal.
- Take capsules.
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Devil’s Claw - This is a really effective traditional, natural remedy for gout, that has been used for hundreds of years
- Take capsules
- Caution:
- Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding
- Do not take if you have heart problems
- Do not take if you have an ulcer
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Yucca - Yucca is often used to treat joint pain, swelling and stiffness. It is frequently used as an effective natural remedy for gout.
- Take capsules.
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Celery Seed - Celery Seed can help to soothe inflammation in the joints.
- You can sprinkle the seeds on food, or take capsules
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Homeopathic Natural Remedies for Gout
- It is a good idea to visit a qualified homeopathic practitioner, who can give you a full analysis of your case, and suggestions of the most suitable natural gout remedies.
- Some commonly used homeopathic natural remedies for gout are:
- Arnica: for tender joints
- Belladonna: for red, swollen joints, which feel hot
- Colchicum: for angry pain, in several joints
- Urtica urens: for swollen, itchy joints, or a severe attack
Using Acupuncture for Gout
- Acupuncture is recommended by many as one of the most effective gout natural remedies.
- Acupuncture can help to release blocked energy points on the liver and spleen, which are thought to lead to gout problems.
- Look for a qualified acupuncture practitioner and expect to make several visits, over a period of time.
I hope that you will find some really effective natural remedies for gout, that can help you to feel better. A change of diet is doubtless the most effective and long lasting of all the gout natural remedies – and I am sure that this diet will improve your general level of health no end, as well…! I am sure that in time your gout attacks will continue to improve, and hopefully disappear for good! What works for you? Do you have any tips and experiences in treating your gout, to share? Tell us about your experiences... Return to the main page for holistic remedies for common ailments.
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