What Is Gout?
Gout develops when there is a build-up of uric acid in the blood. This acid then settles in the joints, forming needle-shaped crystals, which produce painful arthritic-type symptoms, in various parts of the body, most often resulting in gout in the foot.
Uric acid is an insoluble product resulting from the metabolic breakdown of purines and is also one of the main components of kidney stones.
Purines are chemical compounds found in rich foods, such as liver, red meats, seafood, and alcohol, especially beer. Consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, uric acid is normally excreted in the urine, but with an excess of purines to breakdown, it collects in the bloodstream and joints, resulting in gout.
Gout Symptoms
The symptoms of gout generally come on suddenly, predominantly at night. Some of the symptoms include:
Pain in the joints of your feet – gout affects the joints in your feet, typically the ones in your big toe. The pain can be very intense. However, other joints that can also be affected by gout are ankles, knees, wrists and fingers.
General discomfort – even when the pain goes away, gout will leave you feeling generally achy and uncomfortable in and around the affected area. This is likely to last for several days, if not weeks.
Swelling and irritation – the joints affected by gout will become inflamed, red and tender to the touch.
Limited movement ability – your joints might become rigid and stiff, as well as overly painful during motion.
Natural Remedies For Gout
With plenty of research into natural remedies, there is a vast amount of evidence to show that gout can be treated successfully using readily available products.
1. Tart Cherry Extract
A recent study found that cherry extract, within two days, reduced the amount of uric acid within the joints, along with lessening the subsequent inflammation. In over 600 verifiable cases, the symptoms of gout were reduced in nearly half the sufferers, with many reporting zero pain and as a result, increased mobility. Containing antioxidants and natural melatonin, it can also help regulate sleep cycles and ease skin conditions.
2. Celery Seed Extract
Containing over a dozen antioxidants, celery seed extract has been shown to greatly reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood stream of gout sufferers. Reducing joint pain and inflammation, it can also help with a number of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, skin infections, and urinary tract diseases. Celery seed works extremely well in conjunction with tart cherry extract.
3. Stinging Nettle Extract
Although usually recognized for helping with prostate issues, stinging nettle extract has also been shown to have good results when used for easing the symptoms of gout. With powerful anti-inflammatory properties, nettle extract comes in a close third in your gout arsenal.
4. Omega 3 Fish Oil
Slower acting than celery, cherry or nettle extracts, omega 3 oil is hugely beneficial for joint pain. In many cases it has decreased inflammation, and increased joint mobility, whilst also supporting healthy skin, hearts and eyes.
5. Magnesium
Gout can be a symptom of low magnesium, and increasing the magnesium levels in the body can be useful in the treatment of gout, particularly in acute cases, and especially in men.
These natural remedies, along with a healthy diet and drinking lots of water to flush out the excess uric acid, will go a long way to relieve the painful and limiting symptoms of gout, and may cure it completely.
