Gout Nutrition

                

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Perhaps the most infuriatingly difficult part about having to suffer gout is the seemingly endless list of food you are not allowed to eat. Certain diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and of course, gout, require special diets that should be strictly followed. Gout is an acute form of arthritis that is caused by the crystallization of excess uric acid in the soft tissue of the joints. One can get uric acid from many different kinds of food. This article will guide gout sufferers on which foods are safe to eat and which ones that should be avoided.

Gout-friendly foods

Fruits are very good for people with gout. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, especially cherries. Drink its juice as well. Cherry juice has been reported to decrease the levels of uric acid in the blood, but there are still no official findings of its therapeutic effect. Fruits high in vitamin C like orange, lemon, and grapefruit are highly recommended. Complex carbohydrates should come from brown rice and whole wheat bread. Protein-rich foods like fish and lean meat like chicken breast are allowed. Soy products are a great source of protein, too. Water is the best beverage for gout sufferers. High water intake is necessary to flush out any excess uric acid from the bloodstream. Drinking eight to twelve (or more) glasses of water is highly advisable.

Avoid these at all costs

Unfortunately, there are many foods that people with gout should avoid. Red meat, organ meat, and shellfish are off the menu so pass up on the steak, baked oysters, and sausages whose casing is actually intestine. Steer clear of spinach, cauliflower, legumes, and beans because they are all notorious for causing a rise in uric acid levels. Alcohol intake should be regulated, or if possible, eliminated completely. Intake of simple sugars, oil, and salt should also be controlled. Removing all these foods from one's diet may be difficult, but if it means being able to walk normally and free from gout pain, then it may be worth it.

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Forms of Gout

                

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Strictly speaking, gout is caused by hyperurecemia, an elevated level of uric acid in the bloodstream due to the body's inability to dispose of this acid. This causes the uric acid to crystallize in the joints, usually beginning with the joint of the big toe. However, there are many misconceptions about gout. Sometimes just when you think you have gout, you have something else instead.

Pseudo-gout: When Gout Isn't Gout

Gout and pseudo-gout both have the same symptoms of aching, swelling, inflammation, and loss of range of motion but the similarity stops there. While gout is caused by crystallization of uric acid in the joints, pseudo-gout is caused by the calcification of the joints. These two conditions appear very different when fluid is extracted from the joint and looked at under a microscope. Also, the source of the pain is different. While gout may be compared to trying to walk with shards of glass in your feet, the pain caused by pseudo-gout comes from the body's natural attempts to protect itself. By sending out special cells called neutrophils to destroy the affected area, the body also destroys some of the live tissue surrounding it, causing pain and swelling.

True gout: Not just in the toes

Gout, if allowed to go untreated, could begin to cause pain in other parts of the body. Contrary to most people's understanding of this affliction, gout is not limited solely to the joint of the big toe. It attacks any of the soft tissues in the body so all the joints are at risk. Scientists have attributed the onset of gout solely on the big toe to the fact that this is the part of the body that receives the least amount of blood flow, and consequently the least heat. Uric acid crystals have been observed to form faster in cold environments. Eventually, if gout continues to go ignored, crystallization of uric acid could spread to the vital organs, affecting basic tasks such as digestion and urination.

Be sure to see your doctor regularly and have medical checkups done annually, particularly if you are above the age of forty. Being prepared against the agony of gout is your best defense.

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Gout Relief

                

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You wake up in the middle of the night with pain screaming at you from your big toe. Even the weight of the blanket on it is unbearable. You look at it and see that the joint is swollen and red, and walking seems impossible. Does this mean that you have gout? Chances are, yes.

Luckily, gout which is a form of acute arthritis, is readily treatable by home remedies, diet changes, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Here is a list of a few of them.

Do-it-yourself: Home remedies for gout sufferers

Many herbs, roots, and flowers have been known to effectively treat gout. They can either melt the uric acid that has already formed in the soft tissue, reduce the pain and swelling when used as an ointment, or prevent excessive buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream, thereby preventing further gout attacks.

If the idea of drinking herbal tea appeals to you, try putting a tablespoon of chickweed in a cup of boiling water. Strain out the chickweed and take a fourth of the cup of the tea four times a day until the swelling subsides. If you want immediate relief in ointment form, try mixing a tablespoon of hops with a tablespoon of fresh unsalted butter. Rub this mixture on the affected area for immediate relief.

Gout-out diets

Since an imbalanced diet is one of the known causes of gout, it is imperative for gout sufferers to change the way they eat. Shellfish, red and organ meats (such as sausage and liver), spinach, and cauliflower can all lead to high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream.

Most people with gout resort to eating a great deal of fruits, other vegetables, limited amounts of seafood and chicken (usually grilled as excessive oil can also cause gout attacks), and drinking plenty of water in order to purge the body of uric acid. This treatment, though simple, can go a long way towards preventing those middle-of-the-night gout attacks.

Anti-Gout medication: Take two of these and call me in the morning

For those who want a more scientific approach to their gout remedy, store-bought drugs are readily available. The drug allopurinol, for example, has been used to great effect in reducing blood uric acid levels. Colchicine is also another drug used for this purpose.

For extremely severe cases, doctors may opt to inject the joint with a powerful corticosteroid which quickly breaks down the uric acid crystals surrounding the joint. However, this method of treatment is limited as excessive use could wear down the bone and tissue surrounding the affected area.

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Diet That Can Help Allay Gout

                

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Diet plays a vital role in gout. We all know that a balanced diet can help eliminate the toxins and harmful metabolic end products from our system and improve the overall health pf our body. Gout is caused by the accumulation of crystals of uric acid, a metabolic end product of purine hydrolysis. When these crystals are deposited on the joints, an immune response is triggered that cause the inflammation and the bone-crushing pain associated with gout.

There are certain time-tested diets that can alleviate the symptoms of gout attacks:

A Fast of Orange juice and water
In case of an acute gout attack, a fast of orange juice diluted water can prove to be an excellent remedy. A series of intermittent fasts every three days until the symptoms subside is advisable in case of severe attacks.

Warm water enema
At the time of the gout attack, a warm-water enema should be used daily throughout the period of fasting to rinse out the bowels.

An All fruit diet
This diet comprising only of fruits can be followed after the acute attack passes. This can be maintained for three to five days.

Everyday Natural food diet
A person having a tendency to gout attacks should at all times follow a well-balanced diet of natural and organic foods, particularly constituting fresh juicy fruits, raw or steamed vegetables, and sprouts. Foods high in potassium such as potatoes, bananas, leafy green vegetables, beans and raw vegetable juices should be consumed liberally.

Foods that have been proved to be beneficial for people afflicted by gout include:

? Dark berries that may contain chemicals which lower uric acid and reduce inflammation.

? Tofu which is made from soybeans is thought be a better choice than purine rich meats.

? Certain fatty acids present in nuts, flax or olive oil, and in certain fish such as salmon, may possess some anti-inflammatory properties.

All canned foods or processed foods must be avoided.

The person, who is suffering from gout, if overweight, should concentrate on losing the extra flab. This should be achieved by rigorously maintaining a balanced low-fat diet. However, rapid loss of weight must be avoided, and hence no fad diets should be adopted. This will only worsen the case. Regular exercise is imperative. But over-exercise needs to be avoided, because fatigue stimulated gout.

All purine and uric acid producing foods such as meat, eggs, and certain fish like anchovies, herrings should be strictly avoided. Also, liquors, tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and their products must be shunned to prevent lowering of the body pH.

Intake of spices and salts needs to be restricted, lightly prepared meals should be consumed.

Want to learn more about Gout Diet Food?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.about-goat.info/Articles/Gout_Diet.php

Gout Symptoms and Solutions Uncovered

                

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Few people realize that gout is actually a form of arthritis and an extremely painful one at that. This is why so many sufferers are eager to understand the gout symptoms and solutions available to them.

The first symptom most gout sufferers have are usually unexpected and painful. The main symptoms include throbbing, hot, red and swollen joint. The joints most effected by these sudden gout flare-ups are the foot and ankle joints, and most commonly the big toe joint. A gout attack normally occurs at night and can make even the weight of a blanket on the effected joint unbearable.

With the first episode the symptoms usually last between 5 and 10 days, gradually disappearing, leaving the joint 'back to normal'. However, once you've had one gout attack another will usually follow, anywhere between 6 months and 2 years.

So, what causes this sudden joint inflammation and pain?

Well, it's a result of excess uric acid being deposited by the body into the joints and soft tissues surrounding the joints.

Uric acid is formed during the breakdown and processing of purine, a compound that is naturally found in your body and also in the food that we eat. As the body metabolizes purine it forms uric acid as a waste product that is eliminated via the kidneys in our urine.

When there is too much uric acid being produced or the body can't dispose of quickly enough, the uric acid stays in the blood stream and is deposited in 'convenient' places, like the joints in crystal form. It is these crystals that cause gout symptoms to flare up.

When a gout attack happens the pain can be pretty intense which sends most people running (or perhaps limping) to the doctor. Commonly NSAID's will be prescribed. These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that target the swelling in the joint, although they don't do anything about reducing the uric acid levels. Make sure you ask your doctor about the potential side effects of these.

If the gout attack is very severe a corticosteriod drug may be prescribed instead. Steroids are very effective at bringing pain under control swiftly, however the side effects can be just as dramatic. Make sure you understand the risks involved if prescribed these drugs.

Once you have the pain from the initial attack under control it's time to look at why you had the gout flare-up in the first place.

Some medical conditions can lead to the development of gout, such as untreated hypertension, diabetes, being obese or having high cholesterol. Medications too can increase your risk of developing gout. Low-dose aspirin can increase uric acid levels and some hypertension medications too.

Gout can be hereditary, so take a good look at your family history and be sure to tell you doctor if a close relative suffers with gout. Being a man also increases your risk for developing gout as men have naturally higher levels of uric acid compared to women. This is why when women do get gout, it's usually after the menopause when their estrogen levels are reduced.

Finally gout can be down to your lifestyle choices. Too much alcohol is a common reason for developing gout as is eating a diet high in purine, i.e. lots of red meat, gravies, shellfish and dried legumes.

There are some medications that your doctor can prescribe that reduce the level of uric acid produced by your body. However a healthier way, and what that is more natural, is to make some easy lifestyle changes that allow your body to regain its balance.
1. Follow a low purine diet - swap high protein foods for a more carbohydrate based diet.
2. Lose weight if your overweight, as this can reduce uric acid production. It is best to lose weight steadily rather than do a crash diet as this can temporarily raise uric acid levels, increasing your risk for gout.
3. Limit alcohol or avoid it altogether if you can. Men should limit consumption to two drinks a day, and women one drink a day.
4. Drink lots of water as this helps to dilute the uric acid in your blood and allows the kidneys to eliminate the excess more easily.

If you need more information on natural gout symptoms and solutions you can find out more on our website.

By Lisa McDowell. Sign up now for a free newsletter & discover the various gout symptoms and solutions. Find out why exercise as an effective natural cure for gout.

Gout - Prevention Is Better Than Cure

                

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With the increased information available on gout and its cause, it has become easier to construct a plan that can be followed to avoid gout attacks.

Do keep yourself warm

Protect your hands, wrists, elbows, knees, toes, ankles and ears from exposure to cold drafts. Cold triggers precipitation of the uric acid crystals, the main cause of gout.

Drink as much fluids as possible

Fluids dilute the uric acid and help the kidneys to excrete it. At least 10 to 12 8-ounce glasses of water should be consumed every day.

Control the food that you eat

Avoid excessive intake of food items that have high purine content, because purine is metabolized in the system to produce uric acid. More the production of uric acid, the higher is the chance of gout attacks. Organ meat, sausages, dark fillet fishes like sardines, herring, fish roes, and red and dark meat are foods rich in purine. You may also consider consulting a dietician to guide you in the formulation of a proper food chart that will help you avert gout attacks.

Do not let your body pH diminish

Avoid intake of substances that lower the pH of your body or bring about sudden changes in the physical and chemical conditions of the body. This is because, at low pH, uric acid is less soluble in the body fluid and chances of precipitation are higher. Thus possibility of gout attacks is increased. Preexisting crystals get coated over time by protein coatings that prevent the neutrophils from recognizing them and alleviating gout attacks. Lowered body pH triggers the shedding of the coatings of these preexisting crystals. This also leads to gout attacks. Certain medical conditions like psoriasis, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hemolytic anemia, lead poisoning can make the body acidic. Also, excessive intake of carbonated drinks, alcohol, tea, coffee, protein, aspirin, Vitamin C, Niacin, Thiazides and loop diuretics, cyclosporine and foods and drinks that have a high chlorine, sulfur or phosphorus content lower the body pH. Proteins and carbohydrates are acid forming food items.

Avoid injuries and trauma

Injuries to the joints, sudden severe ailments, hemorrhage, emotional distress, anxiety, starvation, fasting, fatigue, infections, weigh gain, rapid weight loss ? all are factors that hasten gout attacks.

Want to learn more about Gout Cure?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.about-goat.info

Solutions For Treating Gout

                

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Gout is an inflammatory problem. It is caused by the surplus of the uric acid in the body, that deposits in the joints. These are the most affected parts in people with gout.

As we know, for gout we can make responsible the surplus of the uric acid crystals deposited in the joints, skin and even kidneys. People with this problem are affected because of the high level of the uric acid in the body that can not be totally eliminated. The surplus of uric acid stays in the blood until blood becomes full of it. Then the uric acid forms crystals in the joints that may lead later to severe gout attacks.

Gout may also be caused by excessive alcohol intake, rich purine foods, and lack of exercise but also heredity.

Gout may be treated in many ways. Natural treatments are also able to help. One of the natural treatments used in treating gout are cherries. If the patients eats about 20 to 25 cherries a day results may appear. It is not totally necessary for the cherries to be fresh, even though it is recommended. Canned cherries can also be used but not regularly.

The consumption of 500 ml of vegetables juice is also recommended. This juice should be made of carrot juiced combined with juices of cucumber and beet. About 150 ml of French beans a day might also help people with gout.

The purpose of each natural treatment is to neutralize the uric acid. The malic acid that apples contain is believed to neutralize the acid. That is why an apple after each meal is recommended for people with gout.

A diet with bananas is recommended by the specialists. If the patient can take about 10 bananas a day without eating anything else this natural treatment will surely give results in three or four days.

Lime is also recommended because it contains Vitamin C. The citric acid has a solvent role of the uric acid. Lemon juice should be taken twice a day.

After an acute attack of gout a cure with orange juice should be benefic. Actually an all fruit diet is recommended. Also recommended are natural foods, especially vegetables.

People with gout are advised to avoid rich purine foods and other acid producing foods. Foods that are totally not recommended for people with gout are meats, eggs and especially sea foods. When it comes to drinks we can say that all alcohols should be avoided but especially beer.

Other ways of treating gout are warm water enema, Epsom salt baths, cold packs applied to the joints, fresh air, no stress and exercise.

For more information about gout treatments please review http://www.gout-info-center.com/gout-symptoms.htm or even http://www.gout-info-center.com/gout-treatments.htm

The Link Between Diet and Gout

                

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Gout is the most painful form of a rheumatic disease. First it attacks the joint from the big toe and then if it's not taken care of it may spread and affect other joints too. Gout is the result of uric acid crystals that appear in the joints and cause them to inflammate, which leads to severe pain and swelling.

If you learn its symptoms you will be able to detect and treat it early, which will spare you of some painful gout attacks that occur during the night. The first sign that appears is usually a red and swollen join that hurts a little in the beginning and then more and more until sometimes the pain is unbearable. In more than 90% of the cases the joint from the big toe is affected first, but other joints may be affected too.

Then after short time, gout attacks suddenly appear and they disappear as quickly as they appear. You have the impression that you are cured because the pain and the irritation isn't present anymore, but after a few more days another sudden attack will let you know that the illness is still present. The attacks will come more and more often if you don't treat your gout and they will last more time. The pain will also be more intense and several joints may be affected in the same time.

If you don't visit a doctor the gout will spread and uric acid crystals will form in other joints too. Among these, the most likely are the elbows and the ankles. If you don't lower the levels of uric acid from your body you may also get kidney stones.

You should seek medical attention as soon as you discover that one of your joints is red and swollen but you may discover that you are in fact suffering from pseudogout. The two diseases are similar, but pseudogout is caused by calcium not by uric acid. Calcium excess can also gather inside the joints and cause them to inflammate. Pseudogout is not as severe as gout and it's treated much easier.

If you've been diagnosed with gout you will have to take some medication that lowers the uric acid from your blood and you will also have to change your diet slightly, but if you follow your doctor's instructions you will completely get rid of your gout affection.

If you are intersted in finding more information about gout you can click on this website http://www.gout-info-center.com. Also you will find there valuable information about gout treatments and gout diet.