I have several family members that suffer from gout. So, what is it? And how do we fix it?
Gout is a form of arthritis. There is pain and inflammation, this is caused by the crystalline deposits of uric acid that surround the bones in the body, most often in the big toe. But why? And how else do these crystalline deposits affect the body? So many questions.
When the body is not fully healthy, purines breakdown into uric acid. This crystalizes in the body and can affect more than the big toe – the output is gout. It can also affect the kidneys by blocking the filtering tubules – leading to kidney failure. And it can create kidney stones – extremely painful.
There are several risk factors. If you have a parent that has / had gout, you are 20% more likely to get it. As you age, the percentages increase. If you are a man, the percentages increase. Additionally, being overweight, alcohol intake, high blood pressure, diabetes, low thyroid levels, and already abnormal kidney function are also factors.
Drinking the proper amount of water, will play heavily in clearing the body of these crystals. Avoiding foods rich in purines is the next major way in which to reduce the potential for gout. They would include shellfish, organ meat, asparagus, mushrooms, cauliflower and spinach. Alcohol also plays a huge factor. Anything with sugar breaks down your immune system and should be avoided. Foods to increase in your diet would include cherries, foods high in vitamin C, Dandelion, citrus fruits, avocados, nuts, celery / celery seeds, legumes, seeds, fatty fish (salmon / tuna), and bananas. Many of these are high in magnesium which aids in healing the gout if you have it already.
If you have gout, you will want to eat more anti-inflammatory foods as well, to reduce the swelling and pain. Some of these will be the same as the list above. Quercetin-rich foods like apples, cherries, cranberries and plums. Cooling foods such as ginger, turmeric and cabbage. Blood sugar stabilizers which include fatty fish and avocados. Powerful spices including ginger, rosemary, turmeric and cloves. And lastly, foods containing bromelain. The most popular being pineapple.
Therapies that may help in reducing the pain and swelling include salt baths (Epsom Salts). Soak the affected appendage in very warm water with Epsom salts. Be careful – Epsom salts contains magnesium and there is a limit to what your body can consume without it becoming toxic. Read your labels and understand how much you are consuming with your vitamin supplements and your salt baths combined.
Apple Cider Vinegar Mix Drink: Mix juice from one squeezed half lemon into warm water. Combine with 2 teaspoons turmeric and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Adjust to taste. Drink two to three times per day.
Nettle Tea Drink: To try this tea, brew a cup by boiling water. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried nettle per cup of water. Drink up to 3 cups per day.
Salt Bath: Mix 1 to 2 cups of Epsom Salts in your bath. Soak your entire body or only specific joints for symptom relief.
Blessings to all – E