Gout is a recurring, painful type of arthritis that cannot be cured by conventional medicine. However, there are natural remedies you can use to alleviate the pain.
Gouty arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals abnormally form in the joint of the big toe, and sometimes in the heel, knee, wrist, or fingers. During a gout “flare,” the condition causes extreme pain, heat, redness, and swelling, usually during the night as the body temperature is lower. Elevated levels of uric acid in your bloodstream lead to uric acid crystals that deposit in these joints.
Certain factors can cause uric acid to increase in your blood or precipitate in your joints, causing a gout flare-up. These factors include consuming excess alcohol, eating high purine protein foods such as animal meats and seafood, consuming acidifying foods like refined sugars and flour products, obesity, exposure to lead, dehydration, and entering a high-acid state.
There are medications available for gout that help with prevention, such as allopurinol and probenecid. These medications reduce the formation of uric acid in the blood and increase the urinary excretion of uric acid, respectively, thus reducing the blood concentration of uric acid. However, they can make gout symptoms worse initially.
There is a high correlation between gout and metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by obesity, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol, all of which can be reversed by eating a healthy diet and maintaining an active lifestyle.
There are several natural ways to prevent gout attacks, such as going on a liquid cleanse for 3-10 days, drinking detoxifying and cleansing herbal teas daily, taking vitamin C, and using bromelain with meals and proteolytic enzymes between meals. These enzymes can improve every form of arthritis and have been extensively studied in Germany by Wobenzym® N and Wobenzym® PS.
In conclusion, there are various medical and natural treatments for gout to explore. Leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a balanced diet can significantly reduce your risk of gout flare-ups.
