Gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs as a result of buildup of excess uric acid in the blood. This uric acid forms crystals and collects in the joints and causes intense pain and inflammation. The uric acid is produced by our body due to the breakdown of waste materials called purines.
Normally uric acid dissolves in the blood and passes through kidneys and is thrown out of the body in the form of urine. But when the body produces too much uric acid, then it becomes difficult for our kidneys to excrete it and sharp needle like crystals are formed in the joints, causing gout.
Gout can affect any joint of your body; but most often it affects the big toe. Recurrent gout attacks are very harmful as they can damage the joints and its surrounding areas. Therefore, gout must be treated immediately. Natural treatments are gentler than conventional drugs to your body and are very effective for getting rid of gout.
Causes of Gout
Why a person develops gout largely depends upon his diet and lifestyle. Poor dietary choices increase the risk. Genetics also plays a role to some extent. You are at higher risk if your parents have had gout in the past. If you are having high levels of uric acid in your blood for years, you are at a higher risk of having gout attack.
In recent years incidence of gout has been rising rapidly because our diet contains lot of processed foods. Our unhealthy lifestyle habits are another reason for it. Eating high purine foods like organ meats, asparagus, anchovies and herring and consumption of soft drinks, fructose rich fruits and fruit juice like apple and oranges that are sugar-sweetened hold back the excretion of uric acid and are blamed for causing gout. These HFCS are also responsible for many health conditions like high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes that increase the chances of developing gout.
Natural Remedies for Gout
Avoid Purine Rich Foods
For preventing gout attack, it is necessary to know which foods to avoid. It is essential to cut back on purine-rich foods for controlling recurrent gout attacks.
It is not necessary to eliminate all purines from your diet because all protein foods contain purine. Purine-Rich Foods that people with gout should avoid include organ meat, anchovies, sardine, herring, yeast, legumes, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus and spinach.
Avoids over intake of sugar
Avoid sugar-laden sodas, sweet beverages and fruit juices which worsen the gout condition. Instead drink enormous amounts of pure water which will help to excrete uric acid from your body. Also eliminate those highly processed cookies, candy bars, cakes and pies etc. that can aggravate the gout symptoms and cause recurrent attacks.
Avoid alcohol intake
Limiting or eliminating alcohol intake is recommended for people to get rid of gout because alcohol consumption raises the level of uric acid in your blood.
Eat Dark Berries and Tart Cherries
Tart cherries and dark berries contain two powerful chemical compounds anthocyanins and bioflavonoids which help to relieve and prevent inflammation by lowering uric acid level in your blood. Eating tart cherries and dark berries can prevent gout attack.
Consume Omega-3 fatty acids
Eating fish, nuts, flaxseeds and olive oil that contain certain fatty acids may also help patients of arthritis and gout because they have anti-inflammatory properties.
People with gout should prefer to eat a balance diet that consists of high complex carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables fruits and foods low in protein like soy, lean meat and poultry. Fat content should not exceed more than 30% of their total calorie intake. Being overweight also increases the risk of gout. So try to maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly.