How To Find A Gout Free Diet

                

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Finding a gout free diet may be simpler than you first think and it may surprise you to know that are a surprising number of additional benefits that can be had.

Having excess uric acid in the blood stream causes gout. When it reaches saturation point, the uric acid crystallizes and deposits itself into the spaces between joints and the soft tissue that surrounds them. These crystals cause the arthritic symptoms - the red, swollen, hot and sore-to-touch joints that characterize gout and the symptoms can come on very suddenly.

Uric acid is naturally produced by the body and is an antioxidant. During the metabolizing process it is dissolved in the blood stream and then excreted via the kidneys and intestines. However, too much can be a bad thing, leading to a situation within the body called hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia is when uric acid levels are too high and can lead to gout and kidney stones.

Also, a recent study by doctors at John Hopkins University Hospital found that cognitive functions can be reduced if there is increased Uric Acid in the body. The research was carried out on just under 100 people between the ages of 65 - 92.

They found that elevated levels of uric acid meant that people were more likely to have below average scores on cognitive function tests. So, not only can high uric acid levels lead to a painful gout attack, but can negatively effect your verbal and memory scores. More reason to find a gout free diet that will help to lower uric acid levels.

Although gout is can be a hereditary condition where the body fails to process uric acid efficiently, you can help your body regain its balance by minimizing external factors that raise uric acid levels. One of the main factors that you can control to alleviate gout is to reduce the levels of purine rich foods consumed.

When purine is ingested the waste by-product is uric acid. Purine is found in many of our foods and in all proteins to a greater or lesser degree.

The worst offenders are red meats, offal, processed meats, some shellfish, yeast extracts, gravies and alcohol. All of these encourage uric acid production within the body.

When you are looking to implement a gout free diet you need to ensure that you avoid these trigger foods and substitute them for gout friendly foods such as, cereals, fruits, complex carbohydrates, rice, leafy green vegetables and low fat milk products.

Ensure that you are keeping your body sufficiently hydrated by drinking at minimum 6 - 8 eight ounce glasses of water. Dehydration will increase uric acid levels as without enough water uric acid will become more concentrated in the blood and the kidneys will struggle to expel it. By staying hydrated you will dilute the uric acid and the kidneys will have a easier time of the elimination process.

You can find out more about relieving gout symptoms for good by signing up for our free newsletter.

One last thought, a gout free diet does not need to be boring many herbs and spices, and healthy options are available to make tasty and nutritious meals that won't aggravate your gout.

By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover how a gout free diet can be an effective natural cure for gout.

Nutritional Therapy A Natural Cure For Gout

                

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Acupressure can provide wonderful relief for gout attacks and it can be used as a complimentary treatment with medication or with other natural remedies like nutritional therapy. Nutritional therapy is type of natural cure for gout that is based on the belief that food contains the natural medicines our body requires in order to obtain and sustain health.

How can nutritional therapy help gout? Although it is often used as a complimentary treatment with medication, nutritional therapy can help gout sufferers find relief from gout attacks by reducing inflammation. It can also prevent gout from recurring by lowering and controlling uric acid levels in the blood. In addition, proper nutritional therapy is safe to use for most people.

What is proper nutritional therapy? The term ?proper? has been used to clarify that like any other treatment; nutritional therapy can produce negative effects or be ineffective if used incorrectly, such as ?
- Ingesting too little or too much of one substance
- Ingesting something with ingredients you are allergic too
- Combining different products that may not be compatible

How is nutritional therapy taken? Nutritional therapy primarily includes vitamins and minerals and is usually taken in the form of a supplement.

What is the nutritional therapy prescribed for gout relief and prevention? The following is a list of some nutritional therapy recommended for gout sufferers, and includes the benefits and precautions associated with each ?

Folic Acid ? This is the synthetic version of Folate (a water-soluble B vitamin that is naturally found in dark leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits) that is used in supplements.
Benefits ? Studies have found that high doses of folic acid may help reduce uric acid levels.
Caution ? Extremely high doses of folic acid can lead to digestive stress and may not be safe for pregnant or nursing women, or those who suffer from seizures, kidney or liver disease.

Vitamin C ? This is an essential antioxidant water-soluble vitamin (found in citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables, etc.)
Benefits ? Studies have found that high doses of vitamin C can increase urinary excretion of uric acid, and lower uric acid in the blood.
Caution ? Taking extremely high amounts of vitamin C may change uric acid levels in the body which can result in an acute gout attack. High doses can also cause other side effects.

Bromelain ? A proteolytic enzyme (found in pineapple)
Benefit ? Studies have found Bromelain to be effective in reducing inflammation. It appears to be a more suitable choice over other prescription anti-inflammatory meds used to treat gout.
Caution ? Not recommended for those allergic to pineapples, pregnant women, those with high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease. This nutritional therapy may not be compatible with other medications and can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It is designed for short-term use.

Quercetin ? A bioflavonoid that acts as an antioxidant (found in onions)
Benefit ? Restrains xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that creates uric acid. Studies have found it to have anti-inflammatory affects.
Caution ? More studies need to be conducted to find out the true benefits and side effects of this nutritional therapy.

Other nutritional therapy that is recommended which may prove effective in relieving and preventing gout include:

- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
- Selenium
- Evening primrose oil
- Fish oil
- Aspartic acid

Keep in mind that you can obtain the above nutritional therapy by naturally incorporating them into your diet, as they exist in many foods.

Before starting a nutritional therapy regimen for as a natural cure for gout, you should consult your doctor about your decision and ask for specific recommendations and about proper dosage. It is also a good idea to have your doctor monitor your condition when taking anti-inflammatory supplements.

By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover how diet can be used as an effective gout home remedy. You'll also find gout recipe options

Can Acupressure Relieve Your Gout Attack?

                

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Exercise is excellent at preventing gout, but it isn?t the best treatment when it comes to easing a gout attack. However, this doesn?t mean that you need to turn to medication to ease your pain and discomfort. There are plenty of alternative and complimentary remedies out there you may want to try first. One such alternative or complimentary therapy is acupressure.

What is acupressure? Acupressure, also known as a Shiatsu massage, is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that is based on the same principles as acupuncture. Essentially, the belief is that the body has approximately 2000 trigger points that are linked throughout the body via 20 different meridians. Qi (life energy) flows throughout the meridians between the surface of the body and its internal organs. Qi uniquely affects all of the trigger points it flows through bringing balance to both the mind and body.

When the body suffers injury or illness, qi becomes unbalanced. Thus by performing acupressure on the particular points of the body related to the affected area, these points can be used to direct the nervous system to release muscular tension and increase blood flow to the injured parts. In other words, balance is restored.

The main difference between, acupuncture and acupressure is the application. Acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure primarily uses fingers or thumbs to apply pressure to the trigger points to encourage circulation and self-healing in the body.

What are the benefits of acupressure for gout sufferers? Acupressure provides many gout sufferers with relief from pain, resulting from inflammation of gout-infected joints. Acupressure can also:
- Increase circulation
- Reduce tension
- Relieves stress
- Enables the body to achieve deep relaxation
- Maintain health

How to perform acupressure ? Acupressure is performed by applying gentle, but firm pressure to a specific trigger point with the finger, thumb or knuckle. Pressure is usually applied for 15 ? 30 seconds. You will know when the trigger point has been found as you will feel a sharp jolt, immediately followed by a tingling or numbing sensation. This sensitivity is normal, and usually decreases over time. When pressure is released, there is often immediate pain relief.

Although acupressure is a treatment that requires no equipment, oils, etc. to work, it is important that you know how to properly perform acupressure before applying it to yourself or others. There are plenty of online resources and self-help guides that can educate and teach you how to perform acupressure, but it is recommended that you seek treatment and instruction from a qualified and experienced acupressure therapist before engaging in acupressure on your own.

For instance, even though a diagram can show you every acupressure trigger point on the body, not all points can help you achieve relief from gout pain and discomfort. Every illness has its own specific trigger points that need to be targeted based on the ailment and the area of the body where one is experiencing symptoms.

For example, if you were to visit http://magnecare.co.uk, you would find a diagram of acupressure points and discover that the recommended trigger points to relieve gout pain are -
41 ?Located just above the inside ankle
63 ?Located on the lower back near the spine
65 ? Located in the middle of the buttock
66 ? Located on the backside of your hip
67 ? Located directly behind your knee
68 - Located in the middle of your calf

However, depending on where you are experiencing gout pain, not all of these trigger points need to be addressed.

To find a local qualified acupressure therapist, ask your doctor, a physiotherapist, the local hospital, or check the yellow pages. You can also search online by using your city name and ?acupressure therapist? as the keyword search.

Remember, if you want effective pain relief from a gout attack, acupressure must be performed properly.

By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover the cause of gout treatments. You'll find out about both traditional and gout home treatment.

 

Gout Primer

                

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Gout is something that is a typical result of a build up of acid within the body. One of the most common symptoms of gout is intense pain. It is important that you visit your physician and get the proper treatment for the affliction. There are several remedies that you can try; however, if you simply do not understand how these remedies work, it is best to pay your doctor a visit. While home remedies work fine for some, your doctor can guide you in the right direction of treatment for gout.

If you cannot seem to find any relief and your doctor is at a loss for further treatment options, it might be necessary to seek the advice and care of another doctor. Your health is of utmost importance, so getting the proper care is necessary. There are specialists available in the area of gout and treatment, this may be necessary in order to effectively treat both the symptoms and the cause. When it comes to gout there are several causes such as diet, improper diet, alcoholism, and illness.

Alcohol and its consumption can be a contributing factor to gout, especially as we age. The foods we eat are also indicators as well, if you eat high acidic foods, you might find that your body cannot properly digest the acids, and gout is the result. While the foods we eat directly affect our chances of contracting gout, so are the diet methods we choose. Diets such as crash diets, could cause a sudden change in the body?s level of fluid, which could them lead to gout.

Gout is a serious condition and should be treated immediately. Your friends and family members may be able to help you in determining the best course of treatment and how to address the issue. If you suspect that, you may have gout or are prone to getting the affliction it is important to talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about the proper diet you should follow for prevention. It is also worth having a look at the many resources available on the internet about the condition and learning all the necessary steps of preventing and treating gout.

For more information about Gout Teatments?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.about-gout.info

Home Remedies for Gout

                

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For an acute attack, there is no better remedy than a fast. The patient should undertake a fast five to seven days on orange juice and water. Sometimes the condition may Worsen in the early stages of fasting when uric acid, dissolved by juices, is thrown into the blood stream for elimination. This usually clears up if fasting is continued. In severe cases, it is advisable to undertake a series of short fasts for three days or so rather than one long fast. A warm water enema should be used daily during the period of fasting to cleanse the bowels. After the acute symptoms have subsided, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for further three or four days. In this regimen, he should have three meals a day of juicy fruits such as grapes, apples, pears, peaches, oranges and pineapple. Thereafter, the patient may gradually embark upon a well balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on fresh fruits and raw vegetables. The patient should avoid all purine and uric acid producing foods and all meats, eggs and fish. Glandular meats are especially harmful. He should also avoid all intoxicating liquors, tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and their products, all canned and processed foods. Spices and salts should be used as little as possible. The cherry, sweet or sour, is considered an effective remedy for gout. This was discovered by Ludwig Blan some 45 years ago. Himself a gout sufferer, Blan found the use of cherries to be miraculously effective in his own case and published his own experience in a medical journal. Subsequently, many people with gout used this simple therapy with great success. To start with, the patient should consume about 15 to 25 cherries a day. Thereafter, about 10 cherries a day will keep the ailment under control. While fresh cherries are best, canned cherries can also be used with success. Foods high in potassium such as potatoes, bananas, leafy green vegetables, beans and raw vegetable juices are protective against gout. Carrot juice, in combination with juice of beet and cucumber juices should be mixed in 300 ml. of carrot juice to make 500 ml of combined juice. The juice of French or string beans has also proved effective in the treatment of gout. About 150 ml. of this juice should be taken by the patient suffering from this disease. Raw potato juice and fresh pineapple juices are also beneficial.

Krishan Bakhru is the editor of Home Remedies , http://www.home-remedies-for-heartburn.com and http://www.myanxietyguide.com