Popularly referred to as the “disease of kings”, Gout is a painful disease that has become common beyond the walls of the castle. It is a form of arthritis that many people suffer from and primarily poor dietary habits or overindulgent lifestyle are to blame for Gout.
Luckily, there are many natural remedies and preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk and manage the symptoms of Gout. Here, we will break down what’s behind this painful disease and what you can do for coping with Gout.
The Basics of Gout – Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors
According to the Arthritis Foundation, Gout is a condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints, especially the big toe and fingers. The symptoms of Gout tend to flare up sporadically causing Gout attacks.
During this time, individuals may experience pain, trouble walking or the affected joints can be inflamed, red or shiny.
The primary cause of Gout is high uric acid or hyper-uricemia. When too much uric acid is produced in the body or it is not properly metabolized, it leads to the development of urate crystals that accumulate in the joints. These crystals build-up over time and go unnoticed in the joints for years.
Risk factors for Gout
There are a number of risk factors for Gout. It primarily affects men. But it doesn’t mean women are clear. Women become more susceptible to Gout after menopause because the female hormones, estrogen goes down. Estrogen is said to have a protective effect against Gout.
Another major risk factor, is weight. In fact, a study discovered that gaining more weight in early adulthood more than doubled the risk of developing Gout later. This is because the kidney is burdened and unable to clear excess uric acid from the body. In addition, fat tissue may produce more uric acid which can further increase uric acid levels.
Natural Remedies for Coping with Gout
If you are suffering from Gout and its symptoms, not to worry. There are many things you can do to reduce your uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks. Here’s what you can do:
1. Eat a diet that contains Low-Uric Acid Forming Foods
One should avoid food that is high in purines since purines break down into uric acid. Therefore, avoid red meat, high-fructose corn syrup, excessive alcohol, aerated drinks and sugar. Include more vegetables in your diet, plant-based proteins such as lentils and beans, whole grains rich in fibre and healthy fats.
Especially celery, bitter gourd, tart cherries, ginger, garlic, apple cider vinegar and turmeric are very effective against Gout.
2. Hydrate Often
Drinking plenty of water is critical for kidney function. This way you can encourage the kidney to excrete the excess uric acid and prevent the build-up of uric acid crystals in the first place.
3. Try Out Herbs and Supplements
Conventional medicine advocates the use of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation and also prescribe drugs to reduce the amount of uric acid produced by the body.
On the other hand, Ayurveda and natural treatments focus on lifestyle modifications with the use of herbal supplements to treat Gout. Some Ayurvedic remedies you can try are as follows:
- Gokulkanta leaves
- Turpeth or Indian Jalap
- Guduchi or Tinospora cordifolia
- Application of Castor Seed Oil in the Joints to reduce inflammation and pain
- External application with herbal medicines
- Herbal decoctions to reduce high levels of inflammation in the body
Some potent supplements that are recommended for Gout include:
- Magnesium – alkaline mineral that reduces uric acid formation
- Proteolytic Enzymes – Bromelain that is found in the core of pineapple has been shown to reduce uric acid and inflammation
- Fish Oil – contains omega 3 fatty acid to fight inflammation
- Nettle – Nettle tea is a great herbal remedy for getting rid of gout
- Celery Seed Extract – Potent antioxidant that decreases the uric acid build-up
4. Ayurvedic Panchakarma Treatment for Gout
The prime root cause of Gout can be attributed to metabolic disorder in the body, due to which uric acid is aggravated. Therefore a detoxification treatment to correct metabolism at the molecular level can be very effective against Gout. Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments focus on purifying your blood and removal of all toxins in the body.
5. Exercise
Since obesity is linked with gout, it’s recommended to exercise regularly. So, exercise and break a sweat as you excrete excess uric acid in your body through sweating. High-Intensity Interval Training, Yoga and weight training can get you back in shape and prevent Gout.
As with several health problems, lifestyle modifications should be given precedence before you opt for medicines or drugs. Try these natural remedies for coping with Gout and be pain-free.