Uric Acid Flareup and Gout

Gout, a painful form of arthritis, occurs when high levels of uric acid in the blood cause crystals to form and accumulate around a joint.

The normal uric acid level is less than 7.2.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS In most cases of gout, the reason for high uric acid is not known. However, there are certain avoidable risk factors that increase your chances of getting a gout attack.

Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down a chemical called purine. Purine occurs naturally in your body, but it's also found in certain foods. Uric acid is eliminated from the body in urine.

If you suffer from gout, you either produce too much uric acid or you produce a normal amount but don't excrete enough.

Gout occurs when your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys don't excrete enough to expel it from your system. A person can have excessive uric acid levels for years & never know it because he never have an attack. When too much uric acid is in the blood it could turn into crystals, instead of remaining in liquid form.

Calcification even without uric acid can initiate gout also. In some cases calcium oxalates (from cucumbers, beans, cocoa, chocolate, etc) can initiate that and cause pain too.

The use of thiazide diuretics used in treating high blood pressure could trigger gout. You should tell your doctor to switch you to another med. The more you weigh the higher your risk for gout. But don't go on a crash diet in which you lose weight FAST. Quick weight loss can cause a person to produce more uric acid. Don't take on a diet of less than 1,000 cal/day without consulting your physician. A gradual weight-loss program is much better to follow.

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Ted (from Bangkok), a well-respected knowledgeable major contributor in Earth Clinic said fatty foods, high calcium foods, too much coffee (with milk) and not enough water, alcoholic drinks, too much meats, acid forming foods (white bread, sugar, fried foods, etc.) and uric acid rich foods (shellfish, peanuts, etc) could cause uric acid to spike. Also, most gout is actually caused by high fruit, high carbohydrate and high sugar diet and most gout occurs in people who are potentially diabetic. The sugar can come from too much sugar you put in your coffee or even eating too much rice or just eating too many bananas/fruits, as an example. The other is not drinking enough water during meals which reduces the blood sugar. The list is not complete but those are the main ones. This site recommends to eat enough carbohydrates because they help our body get rid of extra uric acid.

Ted on BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL: Normal blood sugar cannot exceed 90 mg/dL, and people with gout somehow usually have blood sugar around 100 to 110 mg/dL, which is considered "normal" by Western doctors. But there is something wrong since most mammals or apes, have blood sugar never exceeding 90 mg/dL -- it is always something like 85 mg/dL. The other thing wrong is the rule that you are not allowed to drink water while eating. The problem is that the blood sugar is ALWAYS higher during meals, and you need to reduce that. Otherwise it lowers your immune system, and water is needed for human digestion; that is why people consider eating soup healthy in general. The single most important fact is measuring your blood sugar, which by western standards requires 12 hour fasting. The problem is that it tends to hide potential diabetes and gout conditions. Your blood sugar must be less than 110 mg/dL one hour after eating, but it must be, in the case of gout, be lower than 100 mg/dL after one hour or the recovery from gout is not possible, and ideally after 3 hours eating it should be normal at 70 to 90 range. In general people without gout have blood sugar rarely going above 100 mg/dL even after eating. So the best ways to fix the problem is drink more water after meals, eat less carbs of all kinds, and most of all do not eat after 5 PM. The blood sugar goes crazy if eaten late at night, and having a large meal for breakfast the same thing is true, but not that extreme.

Dairy was associated with a decreased risk. Dairy intake was associated with lower uric acid levels. Specifically, people who drank milk one or more times per day, or who had yogurt at least once every other day, had lower uric acid levels than people who didn't consume yogurt or milk. Deficiencies in vitamin B can also lead to this as vitamin B's (as well as selenium, cloves, glycine, etc.) are supportive of liver function toxicity. ACV (organic cold-pressed apple cider vinegar with the MOTHER) is most useful because of its acetate content which is helpful in liver detoxification. The liver generally detoxify poisons by acetylation, and hence acetates content in liver may help and malates may help increase cellular energy necessary for detoxification. However, baking soda and others should also be considered too as being helpful. Alkalinity tends to help the body dissolve uric acid better, so drinking more water may not help. I would generally focus on supplements supportive of liver detoxification and there are many, such as milk thistle.

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REMEDIES & PREVENTIVES

It is said that our big toes are the South pole of our body. That means the temperatures there are low. It's no wonder crystals form in that part of our anatomy. So to prevent an attack, keep those toes toasty. Perhaps, apply some Vicks vaporub (or any heat-generating liniment or topical) on them and wear socks when you go to bed. Most gout attacks happen at night (perhaps becoz it is colder at night?).

Make sure you wear the right size shoes. When you're shopping for new shoes make sure your toes can wiggle freely. Also avoid thin soled shoes. You need adequate cushion to protect your toe joints. Injuring your big toe joint can trigger an increase in uric acid.

A gout diet may help decrease uric acid levels in the blood. While a gout diet is not a cure, it may lower the risk of recurring painful gout attacks and slow the progression of joint damage.

Treatment for gout focused on eliminating all foods that had moderate to high amounts of purine. The list of foods to avoid was long, which made the diet difficult to follow. Some foods should be avoided, but not all foods with purines should be eliminated. And some foods should be included in your diet to control uric acid levels. The purpose of a gout diet today is to address all factors related to disease risk and management.

Eat more fruits, vegetables (best eaten raw) and whole grains, which provide complex carbohydrates. Avoid foods such as white bread, cakes, candy, sugar-sweetened beverages and products with high-fructose corn syrup.

From the Mayo Clinic website: Studies have shown that veggies high in purines do not increase the risk of gout or recurring gout attacks. A healthy diet based on lots of fruits and vegetables can include high-purine vegetables, such as asparagus, spinach, peas, cauliflower or mushrooms. You can also eat beans or lentils, which are moderately high in purines but are also a good source of protein.

However, Ted says to avoid spinach and strawberries. Also, many gout sufferers say that when they ate mushrooms or asparagus or legumes (beans), they experienced gout attacks or flareups. I'd say, it is better to err on the side of caution. Better to avoid these food items altogether or reduce your intake of them to a minimum. They're not worth the pain brought by gout. The pain of gout is horrible.

An increase in water consumption has been linked to fewer gout attacks. Aim for eight to 16 glasses of fluids a day with at least half of that as water. A glass is 8 ounces (237 milliliters). Putting a pinch of baking soda in a pitcher of water also work for arthritis, but if you have had arthritis for years, you may also have joint damage that will remain. Mild dehydration can make pain feel worse. Make an effort to drink plenty of water daily. Herbal teas and water with apple cider vinegar count towards your water intake.

Cut back on saturated fats from red meats, fatty poultry and high-fat dairy products.

Avoid meats such as liver, kidney and sweetbreads, which have high purine levels and contribute to high blood levels of uric acid.

Limit daily proteins from lean meat, fish and poultry to 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams). Add protein to your diet with low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as low-fat yogurt or skim milk, which are associated with reduced uric acid levels. Avoid the following types of seafood, which are higher in purines than others: anchovies, herring, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, haddock, mackerel, kipper, lobster, crayfish (crawfish) and tuna. The best fish for gout are those that deliver the most omega-3 per uric acid they create, although you must still watch the purines. The best fish for gout are caviar (eggs of the sturgeon fish) and mackerel. As you all know, caviar is not for the 'masa' whereas the mackerel is among the cheapest of fish in most countries.

Avoid these condiments also: Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce (or any anchovy-based sauce), patis, bagoong, shrimp paste

The metabolism of alcohol in your body is thought to increase uric acid production, and alcohol contributes to dehydration. Alcohol intake is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout. This risk varies substantially according to type of alcoholic beverage: beer confers a larger risk than spirits, whereas moderate wine drinking does not increase the risk. You must try and keep away from beer as this is the devil when it comes to purines.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another gout remedy. They come in capsule form. Take this separately from your prescription meds or other supplements. It lessens their effectiveness if you take activated charcoal with them. Activated charcoal taken by mouth can help reduce uric acid levels in the blood, according to Alabama pathologist Agatha Thrash (MD). She recommends taking half to a teaspoon 4x a day at the following times: upon waking, at midmorning, at midafternoon, and at bedtime. Activated charcoal is different from our local "uling," ok? You buy the activated kind at your local specialty or health food stores.

Castor Oil

Castor oil has been used as a cure and natural remedy for many ailments. One of these ailments is for the reducing or aiding in gout inflammation and gout pain. It is sometimes called the "Palma Christi" or "Hand of Christ." The method used is a patch, and to make a patch you require the following basic items: * Flannel cloth * Cold Pressed Castor oil from a Health food store * A bowl * Plastic sheet - must be thick to prevent staining

* a towel

* Glad Wrap or plastic wrap or Saran wrap * water bottle or heat packs

Ok here is the method: Cut the flannel cloth so that it folds into a 8 inch x 12 inch square.

Remember this requires the flannel to be folded at least 3 times to make this size square so that it retains the oil.

Soak the cloth in the bowl with the oil. Remove and apply the oil patch to the affected area. Obviously the patch size can vary depending on the size of the area that is in pain or inflamed.

Put the sheet under the person being treated to stop staining on the chair or bed.

Wrap the patch and the affected area with the plastic wrap to retain the heat and to make sure the oil stays on the right area.

Put a heat pack or water bottle on top of the affected area to make the heat work the oil into the body.

Wrap all this and pin it together with the towel.

Relax for between 30 minutes up to an hour and take everything off and clean off the excess oil with Baking soda.

Repeat this up to a week depending on the injury.

This will work on most arthritic painful areas as well as other ailments.

Buy the oil from a health food store and make sure it is cold pressed. Use the external oil version.

Acetyl-Glutathione

This is the Mother of all antioxidants. So far laboratory and animal testing has proven that Glutathione fights almost all diseases. Glutathione actually regulates and suppresses pro-inflammatory effects on our body. And one of the biggest inflammatory beasties is GOUT and its causes. Glutathione, can be enhanced combining it with Milk Thistle, Whey Protein, sulphur-rich veggies, Vitamins B6, B9, & B12, selenium, Vitamin C & E. Eating the following will increase production of glutathione:

poultry, wheat, broccoli, eggs, garlic, red onion, capsicum, meat, fish, dairy products, beans, fruits, vegetables, avocado Flaxseed Oil

Dosage: 1 tablespoon

The oil is high in Omega- 3 fatty acids but the levels can vary from the types and colors of flaxseed. Due to the Omega -3 fatty oils, flaxseed oil helps reduce inflammation in the Joints and the kidneys. The oil is rich in Alpha-linolenic acid which is an essential fatty acid for aiding heart disease, but using flaxseed oil by itself can cause an omega 6 deficiency. Therefore it is recommended to mix flaxseed oil with another oil that is higher in omega 6 such as sesame oil, evening primrose oil or sunflower oil. This will supply the right balance of the Omega family.

Flaxseed oil can be rubbed in the inflamed or swollen areas of the skin, or wrapped on gouty areas in a poultice (and can be added to Castor oil wrap).

For a gout diet it is recommended to take the capsule form with plenty of water.

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid (EFA)

Instead of flaxseed oil, you can take one capsule of Omega-3 essential fatty acids (fish, evening primrose or flax oils) at the beginning of each meal. Omega oils are well documented for their ability to reduce swelling and inflammation, particularly in the joints.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is very important in inhibiting xanthis oxidase which is required for uric acid production.

Dosage: 10-40 mg (but since this is way beyond the daily value of 400 micrograms, a dosage this high should only be under medical supervision).

Vitamin E This should not be taken if you are into anti-coagulants. Refer to your doctor for advice.

Dosage: 400-800 IU

Vitamin C Vitamin C may help lower uric acid levels. Sodium ascorbate is the best form of vitamin C to take. It is less acidic than ascorbic acid and easier on the stomach. 500 - 1000 mg of vitamin C can be taken morning and evening. Read also about how deficiency of Vitamin B Complex & Lecithin could cause high uric acid below. Calcium is not helpful; more crystallization will lend itself.

Vitamin C intake of at least 1500 mg per day reduces uric acid levels and the odds of gout by half compared with an intake of less than 250 mg per day. Dr. Hyon K. Choi, from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, has found that high vitamin C levels are strongly associated with a lower risk of gout, and dietary increases in this vitamin may prevent the development of gout. (Archives of Internal Medicine, March 9, 2009)

Any acid outside your body is alkaline inside your body. Lemonade (minimize sugar (sugar is an acid)) will lower your uric acid. Avoid most sugar, candy, soda (soft drink) and cakes or icing to speed the process of healing.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a type of flavonoid antioxidant that’s found in plant foods, including leafy greens, tomatoes, berries and broccoli. It’s technically considered a “plant pigment,” which is exactly why it’s found in deeply colored, nutrient-packed fruits and veggies. It is one of the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet and it plays an important part in fighting free radical damage, the effects of aging and inflammation. According to the Dept. of Pathology & Diagnostics at the University of Verona in Italy, quercetin and other flavonoids are “anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agents” with potential to be expressed positively in different cell types in both animals and humans. Flavonoid polyphenols are most beneficial for down-regulating or suppressing inflammatory pathways and functions. Quercetin is considered the most diffused and known nature-derived flavonol there is, showing strong effects on immunity & inflammation caused by leukocytes and other intracellular signals.

Screenshot from Dr. Axe website

I've mentioned this to a few people before that inflammation is the root of most diseases, including heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, some mental disorders and autoimmune disorders. That is what research now shows. If you take care of your inflammation you're most likely to heal your disease also. At this time, practitioners & patients report using quercetin to effectively fight conditions related to inflammation, including:

- “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis)

- high cholesterol

- heart disease and circulation problems

- insulin resistance and diabetes

- eye-related disorders, including cataracts

- allergies, asthma and hay fever (quercetin can help stabilize the release of histamines from certain immune cells)

- stomach ulcers

- cognitive impairment

- gout

- viral infections

- inflammation of the prostate, bladder and ovaries

- chronic fatigue syndrome

- cancer (Boston University School of Medicine study published in the Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents)

- chronic infections of the prostate

- skin disorders, including dermatitis and hives

Research also shows that quercetin displays anticancer properties. In fact, there isn’t much this powerful antioxidant compound can’t do, especially when combined with the health benefits of bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme.

As a major bioflavonoid in our diets, quercetin (a type of “polyphenolic antioxidant”) helps slow the aging progress because it lessens the effects of oxidative stress on the body. Oxidative stress takes place in all of us but is increased by things like a poor diet, high levels of stress, a lack of sleep and exposure to chemical toxins.

DOSAGE There isn’t a daily recommended amount of quercetin, so dosage recommendations can vary depending on your health condition. Estimates show that most people typically get between 5 & 40 mg of quercetin a day from eating common plant foods, however if you stick with a nutrient-dense diet overall, you’re likely to take in much more — as much as 500 mg daily according to some reports. Optimal doses of quercetin have not been established for any specific conditions by the FDA or any other governing health authority at this time, so it’s up to you and your doctor to decide what amount works best for you. For people who turn to quercetin supplements, common oral dosages are 500 mg taken 2X daily, but it’s also definitely possible to experience benefits when taking lower dosages.

Alfalfa, Celery Seed, Cat's Claw are some herbs that have been used successfully for gout. These herbs are usually in capsule form.

Celery Seed Extract

Cucumber Juice

There is a good formula that removes uric acid crystallization in joints. Cucumber juice can help bring the body temperature down, but this is not what helps gout sufferers. Cucumber juice has alkalizing effects on the blood and aid in removing uric acid crystallization in the joints and synovial sacks. You will be needing a blender to prepare this formula. Cut up 2 stalks of celery, a good size cucumber, some ginger, a pinch of turmeric, a half lemon squeezed and half a cup of water then put it in your blender. Drink this concoction fresh and NOT leave the blend for a day. This juice should aid in removing uric acid crystallization in the joints or at least help flush your uric acid buildup out of the joint & synovial sack areas. Remember this is not an instant cure for gout and joint pain. Drink plenty of water to also help flush your system.

Lemongrass (Tanglad in Tagalog)

Lemongrass contains vitamins A and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese; with minute traces of the B vitamins, aiding in the reduction of uric acid. There are many varieties of lemongrass which all contain Citral which is used to make citronella oil. Citral aids in cleansing the kidney, liver, pancreas, digestive tract, bladder etc and removes unwanted toxic substances through the urine. Lemongrass has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, aiding with weight loss and reducing gout and arthritic effects.

The lemongrass tea helps reduce the acidity in the body. To make the tea:

A. Cut the lemongrass into 1 inch long pieces (make sure it is fresh) and cut up about a 1/4 of a cup. Use most of the green parts, leaf and root, but the main concentrated goodness is in the white parts, so make sure you use this area. Get a saucepan and add two large cups of water. Add the cut up lemongrass and boil for 3 minutes. Leave to cool. Strain and drink. You can add ginger or honey for taste. B. Cut up 3 big lemongrass bulbs, using mainly the white bulb area, then steep them in boiling water for 10 minutes. You could also add ginger to this for a stronger brew. I would suggest only 500 ml (17 oz) a day of this tea, plus you should drink it as fresh as possible.

C. Other recipes boil the lemongrass for 10 minutes then sit it for 20 minutes then drink.

It has a diuretic effect so make sure you are prepared for this.

Kerson Fruit (Aratiles)

This helps fight gout-related pain, reduces heart attack risk, prevents inflammation, lowers blood pressure and cures headaches. It's a good source of Vitamin C and vital minerals such as protein, phosphorous, calcium and iron. It is also antibacterial in nature, soothes abdominal cramps and a good antinociceptive agent (pain blocker). The Kerson cherry contains many powerful antibacterial compounds, with multiple health benefits:

1. Gout - used to stop the pain associated with gout. Consuming 9 to 12 of the cherries 3x a day seems to work well for treating the pain.

2. Cardiovascular Protection - The leaves made into tea protect the heart from heart attacks, because the leaves contain antioxidants that prevent inflammation which leads to myocardial infarction.

3. Has antibacterial compounds

4. Anti-inflammatory - The leaves can be used as tea for treating inflammation and swelling and for lowering fevers.

5. Vitamin C - The fruit contains a good amount of Vitamin C a potent antioxidant that helps to fight off colds and flues.

6. Lowers Blood Pressure - Tea made from the leaves lowers blood pressure because it contains nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels thus improving blood flow.

7. Headaches - Munching on the fruit and drinking tea made of the leaves works great for curing headaches.

8. Abdominal cramps - The flowers of the tree boiled for tea are a good antiseptic agent and also work well for treating abdominal cramps.

9. Pain Blocker - Kerson leaves made into tea are great for pain because they block pain receptors, a good antinociceptive agent similar to opiates.

10. Antioxidants - The leaves contain antioxidants, made into tea protect the heart from heart attacks, because it prevents inflammation which leads to myocardial infarction. Same way, Kiwi fruits benefits as a potent antioxidant.

11. Vitamins and minerals - Other than fiber, Kerson Fruit has a lot of vitamins and minerals like calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, iron for anemia, and B-Vitamins for vitality and good mood.

Turmeric Everyone knows this spice as you always see them in the SPICE section of our local supermarkets. In our local markets this is sometimes referred to as yellow ginger or "luyang dilaw" but really it is more orange in color than yellow. It is also smaller in size than the regular ginger. This a very potent anti-inflammatory. It has properties comparable to steroidal and nonsteroidal drugs. It has been used for centuries in the Indian traditional system of medicine (Ayurveda?), as a spice and a natural food color. Turmeric has been used internally as a stomach tonic and a blood purifier and externally for the treatment of skin diseases and wound healing.

But how much curcumin is in the turmeric that's used as a spice? Not much, about 1% of its weight. So putting it in a curry may be a mildly useful addition, but that’s not a herbal treatment for gout. So you need to use a dietary supplement of turmeric or curcumin. Or take it in one of the herbal cures for gout formula products, where it is usually one of five or six substances included in the formula. Or buy a dietary supplement of curcumin itself - one well absorbed version is Theracurmin which is made to be highly absorbed - 300 times more than regular have been mentioned in human studies.

DOSAGE: Buy Turmeric extract, standardised (standardized) to a useful % of absorbable curcumin. Take one to three times daily.

MSM MSM stands for methyl sulfony methane. This is a totally natural substance that is also a remedy for gout, arthritis, joint pain and also great for hair, nails and mild detox vs toxins. It is also alkalizing which is great for prevention for cancer.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt baths can be taken to bring relief to gout. Add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt to a tub of warm water and soak for 20 minutes. If this is not convenient, you can use a foot bath for gout in the foot or toe with Epsom salt added. Add 1/3 cup Epsom salt to a basin of warm water and soak for 30 minutes several times daily.

Garlic This is a strong ant-inflammatory herb, & is best taken raw. Adding it liberally to food is the easiest way to take it.

Cherries

There is some evidence that eating cherries is associated with a reduced risk of gout attacks. A variety of forms of cherries are useful. The darker the cherries, the better. Fresh, frozen and dried all work and work well on gout. Even cherry pie filling in cans work but should only be used if no other reasonable cure is close at hand. Cherry pie filling contains a lot of sugar, which can aggravate gout. It often also contains food dye. When buying these cherry products, read the label & make sure no sugar or sweetener is added. As much as possible, pick the ones that contain TART CHERRIES (maasim). Tart Cherry Extract in a capsule form is available in health food stores in the U.S. but in Pinas, try the mezzanine level imported product stores in Makati. I bought my cherry capsule supplements there. They have the lowest prices when it comes to supplements. Don't be ashamed to haggle. You can also find cherry powder in capsules. Dried cherries work but the canned ones seem to work better and faster. Usually one can is all it takes to cure an attack. Make sure they are the water packed ones. In the U.S. you can buy them in grocery stores. You can also find cherry concentrate (NOT in regular cherry juice) and there are now cherry tablets you can buy. Black cherry juice concentrate can be taken 1 - 2 tablespoons once or twice (sometimes 3x in extreme or emergency cases) daily. You can drink it straight or mix it with a little water or cranberry juice (this is not recommended by other doctors). Some people whose uric acid level is through the roof sometimes add safflower or hydrangea or celery seed or all three of them. Cherries are also good against arthritis and has cancer fighting properties. If you're thinking of buying regular cherry juice don't bother. It works but it contains about 50 mg of sugar per serving. If you can find cherry juice which does not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners and one that only includes pure cherry juice with no other juices added for flavoring purposes, go for that. FYI, there are tart cherry juice products that are being sold. That's the recommended kind of cherry juice.

Start with 1/4 cup twice a day and increase the amount only if needed. If you do take cherry supplements, make sure you chase them with plenty of water. If cherries are in season in your neck of the woods (lots of them being sold in Centris Sunday-only tiangge (go there early 6am; closes at 2pm)) you can eat 8 to 10 of them per day. A New York dietitian, Donna Tinnerello, says that cherries contain an enzyme that helps break down and excrete uric acid. She prescribes a cup of cherries every day to relieve the pain and 1/2 cup daily to prevent future attacks. According to her, fresh, raw cherries are best, though frozen or canned unsweetened cherries or 100% pure cherry juice may work, too.

For stateside folks, Trader Joe's sells Morello Cherries (in light syrup) in a jar. There's a bigger jar than the one shown below at the store. I've read people claim these worked for them and fast.

Berries

Other types of berries are excellent choices as well if you can't afford cherries. Cherries are uber expensive in the Philippines unfortunately. You can opt instead for strawberries, hawthorn berries, and blueberries...well if you can find the last two ;-)

Barley Grass

Some say that barley grass or other green vegetable drinks with a sensible change in diet can make gout symptoms disappear. Such a drink quickly de-acidifies the body and cleanses the blood. These direct benefits help relieve the pain and clear the gout problem. It is HIGHLY ALKALINE, which balance acid level throughout the body. It is rich in folic acid which inhibits the body’s production of certain enzymes responsible for uric acid production. It contains a high amount of Vitamin C (548mg/100g). There was a study concerning gout and vitamin C in which it was discovered that when a person had an intake of vitamin C of 500 mg per day that after a 6 week period the average person’s uric acid levels dropped by up to 50%.

Barley comes in a variety of forms:

• Seeds

• Flakes

• Flour

• Grits

• Meal

• Juice

• Green Barley Powder

• Barley water

• Barley Grass

Dried Figs

A forum member suggested this. He said he eats 5 pieces of these in the morning (lemme just say 'YUMMY!' for all of us) and swears by them. If I did that I'd end up eating the whole package in one sitting. You have to be careful if you eat these though since they are also a mild laxative. Good for those who have constant chronic constipation. Another CAVEAT is these dried figs have high amount of fructose. Fructose produces high levels of serum uric acid.

Pomegranate Do read the contents of this web page for more details: https://www.healthtap.com/topics/pomegranate-juice-for-gout Pomegranate is an ALKALINE FRUIT, just like WATERMELON. ALKALINE is good (apple cider vinegar, watermelon & baking soda are all alkaline). I see them sometimes being sold at Centris tiangge. You can easily juice them, instead of sucking on their seeds which could get a little messy. Pomegranate fruit is also called Chinese Apple. Pome is being touted as a miracle drug for aging, Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and even protecting unborn babies from brain injuries. The pome, with its edible seeds inside juicy sacs, is high in vitamin C, A, E, iron and potassium, low in calories, and a good source of fiber. Pome has antioxidant qualities as well. Pomegranates fruit are especially high in polyphenols, a form of antioxidant purported to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Pome juice also appears to suppress the growth of cancer cells and cause prostate cancer cells to die. It is believed that the antioxidants in the juice - particularly ellagic acid - are behind this beneficial effect. There are also some very early research done to find out how pomegranate juice may be used to treat breast cancer and osteoarthritis. With the highest levels of polyphenol antioxidants, pomegranate juice is showing promising benefits for the heart. Pomegranates are 60% better than other juices at preventing the formation of plaque-forming oxidized LDL (the bad cholesterol) in the arteries, and has been shown to reduce build-up of plaque by up to 30% in a pilot study of 19 elderly patients with atherosclerosis. Research indicates that the high level of antioxidants found in pomegranate juice is effective in combating free radicals that may cause a number of afflictions, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, premature aging, Alzheimer's disease and even cancer. Pomes have beneficial effects on heart disease, hemorrhoid, fertility and blood pressure - among other things. A single pomegranate, provides approximately 40% of an adult's recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, and is a rich source of folic acid and vitamins A and E. Pomegranate fruit contain high levels of flavonoids - a type of antioxidant - which are exceptionally effective at neutralizing cancer-causing free radicals. Research published this year suggests that the fruit may be effective at fighting both breast and skin cancer. New research has found that one glass of pomegranate juice a day could improve blood flow to the heart by more than a third. The fruit's antioxidant properties prevent bad cholesterol from forming, which keeps the arteries clear and reduces the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. A separate study found that drinking pomegranate juice regularly can also dramatically reduce the size of atherosclerosis lesions, which narrow the arteries and cause heart failure.

Herbs

Some herbs that experts say work on gout are burdock root, juniper berries, wall germander, grape seed, juniper, tea from birch leaves, and nettle. Nettle (urtica dioica) has been a folk remedy for gout and a host of other ailments including arthritis, for centuries. Nettle roots, not the leaves, are used to make standardized extracts. Nettle is said to be a diuretic that aids excretion of uric acid. Nettle tinctures can be bought, but most tinctures contain alcohol which gout sufferers do not need. Non-alcoholic tinctures are sold by online vitamins and herbs retailers.

Dosage: 300-600 mg of freeze dried nettle extract daily; drops - as described on the packaging.

Chaparral is said to help clear uric acid from the blood. Saffron also helps neutralize uric acid buildup in the system. Cayenne (capsicum) powder applied on the inflamed joint can relieve the swelling and pain. You can mix it with enough wintergreen oil to make a paste that can be applied to the affected area. Tea tree oil massaged into the affected area also helps. Flavonoids such as those from pine bark and bilberry are found to be beneficial. Devil's claw reduces joint pain as well as the serum cholesterol and uric acid levels. It also enhances joint flexibility. Its medicinal properties have been known to herbalists for centuries and its reputation as an anti-arthritic was boosted by a study at the University of Freiburg in Germany. The anti-inflammatory substances in Devil’s Claw are harpagosides. What makes Devil’s Claw a possible herbal treatment for gout is that harpagosides are reputed to lower uric acid.

Dosage: Take 50/60 mg of Devil's Claw two or 3x daily. The best form is a dietary supplement containing a standardized extract of harpagosides.

Hydrangea also helps the kidneys eliminate uric acid. Curcuminoids, the active ingredient present in turmeric, have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor activity. It fights free radical formations in food and body tissues and helps prevent (and even retard) various cardiovascular, viral and other chronic diseases like arthritis, cancer and AIDS by neutralizing existing free radicals.

BANABA (LAGERSTROEMIA SPECIOSA)

Banaba (other names: Crepe Myrtle, Queen’s flower) is a medicinal flower that grows in the Philippines, some other S.E. Asian countries and India. In these places it has been a traditional folk remedy for a variety of ailments for centuries. As far as gout is concerned, the leaves are used to obtain a fairly recently discovered (2004) herbal treatment for gout called Valoneic Acid Dilactone (VAD). VAD is an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase which lowers uric acid levels.

Better than Allopurinol? In one Japanese study, a five star finding was that Valoneic Acid Dilactone is a stronger inhibitor of xanthine oxidase than Allopurinol. Allopurinol, the common gout drug, inhibits xanthine oxidase, an enzyme needed to turn purines into uric acid, and by so doing reduces uric acid production. Ellagic acid in Banaba has also been found to inhibit xanthine oxidase.

In the Philippines, its ground green leaves are sold as a herbal tea health drink. Various brands of Banaba tea bags can be bought in pharmacies. One tea bag contains about 2 grams of Banaba leaves. The exact amount in the bag depends on the brand purchased. The bags are infused in boiling water for a couple of minutes, and drunk as you would tea (black tea), often with a slice of lemon and honey or other sweetener (muscovado or raw brown sugar perhaps). According to the packaging, Filipinos think it is anti-diabetic because it's thought to lower blood sugar by its Corosolic acid. If insulin resistance is your cause of gout this could be helpful too since excess insulin inhibits uric acid excretion. But we are most interested in its Valoneic Acid Dilactone and Ellagic acid to reduce uric acid levels directly. Some also think Banaba is good for kidney and gall bladder stones.

Dosage: One cup of Banaba tea 3x daily.

CORIANDER (CILANTRO) is considered both an herb and a spice. In a study in India it has lowered blood uric acid by 60%. Read about this here.

PARSLEY is an herb and it's a good food for gout, even if it probably won't reduce your uric acid level. Read about parsley for gout.

Photo from https://www.abwmassage.com/reduce-inflammation-reduce-pain-ferndale-ymca/

Alkalinity will help dissolve uric acid. ACV & baking soda are both alkalizing.

SUPPLEMENTS TO AVOID

Two supplements to avoid an EXCESS of is niacin & vitamin A. They could bring on an attack. Don’t take baker’s or brewer’s yeast as a supplement too. Dr. Andrew Weil, America's favorite holistic doctor, suggests not taking protein supplements. You should also not take more than 5,000 IU of vitamin A. If attacks continue, eliminate vitamin A entirely. Also avoid arginine.

FOOD TO EAT AND AVOID

Diet has a lot to do with gout prevention or reduction in occurrence. Diets high in purine-rich beef, pork, lamb, organ meats, liver, and seafood (anchovies) increase the risk of gout. Other foods high in purine are pâtés (including foie gras), bouillon, broth, consommé, dried legumes, goose, gravy, heart, herring, kidneys, liver, brains, game meats, organ meats, meat extracts, mussels, fish roe, sardines, scallops, mackerel, dried fish & shrimp. These have moderately high purine levels: asparagus, cauliflower, legumes, lentils, mushroom, oatmeal, dried peas, soy, spinach, and tripe. Goat is probably medium purine, since there is not a mammal whose meat is low purine, and meat, unless it is offal/organ meat, is not high purine.

Purine rich foods have to be avoided and low purine foods are OK unless you binge on them. But what about medium purines foods? Much depends on your degree of hyperuricemia (excess uric acid), if you have hyperuricemia. Remember that curious fact that not all gout sufferers have hyperuricemia. Another depends on how well your low purine gout diet works. The best way to eat medium purine level foods would be to eat them every other day AND to limit their portions.

Beer is more likely to be associated with gout than spirits. Moderate wine consumption does not appear to raise the risk. Of all the dietary factors listed above, shellfish and beer are the most likely to cause this condition. Perhaps a high fructose diet is also a factor in gout. Diets high in dairy foods that are rich with casein and lactalbumin, which reduce serum uric acid levels, were found to decrease the risk of gout. Surprisingly, intake of purine rich vegetables did not affect gout risk.

Adding flaxseeds, olive oil, tofu, nuts and avocados in your diet certainly helps and these are excellent sources of unsaturated fats. Some fatty fish, flax seed oil, nuts and seeds have rich essential fatty acids, and are enriched Omega-3 foods, which help with symptoms as they have anti-inflammatory properties.

Moderate amounts of protein a day (no more than 3 to 4 ounces of meat at the most). Protein source, particularly during acute bouts, should be cheese (this had triggered gout in some), milk, eggs (had triggered gout in some also) and vegetables low in purine. The bottom line is each of us have different food sensitivies. I'd recommend you take note of what foods you ate immediately before a gout attack and write them down so you can refer to that list before shopping for food.

Replacing meat with soy is suggested, coupled with a low fat diet. Foods high in Bromelain (pineapple enzyme) and vitamin C are beneficial. Celery and black cherries both help in reduction of uric acid levels.

The cabbage family of vegetables, onions, leeks, parsley, and celery are desirable.

Cranberries, prunes, plums, and corn are not recommended as these are acid-forming. Milk and its products, olives, molasses, chestnuts, almonds, and coconuts are all considered alkaline-forming foods.

Limit fats by a lean meat diet, skinless poultry. Keep away from deep fried food and desserts that are high in fat.

If you are going to eat oatmeal limit it to 2/3’s of a cup raw, limit wheat bran to 1/4 cup raw daily and the same for wheat germ. 1/2 a cup of cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms, green peas daily.

Foods high in potassium, and flavonoids such as quercetin. Lemon juice Sweet potatoes Raw Potato juice Brown rice Corn Chestnuts Kiwi fruit Bananas Pears Almonds Oranges Unsweetened fruit juice Some research suggests that moderate coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of gout, particularly with regular caffeinated coffee. Drinking coffee may not be appropriate for other medical conditions. Sometimes certain foods causes a uric acid flareup, such as coffee or tea (despite what some researchers say that it prevents gout), in some people. Coffee and tea may prevent gout if it has a diuretic effect and you drink plenty of water, but it can trigger a gout attack if you don't drink plenty of water. On Eggs

There are people who get flare-ups when they eat eggs. Chicken eggs are generally low in purines. Eggs carry all of the B vitamins from B1 to B12 including choline, biotin and folic acid. No other food has a higher concentration of choline than eggs. Fresh egg whites in general are only slightly alkaline in their ph (pH7.0), but the pH can rise up to 9.4 with age due to the thickening of the whites. Storage in a refrigerator can keep the levels lower.

The pH scale is from 0 to 14. The numbers below 7 are acidic and the numbers above 7 are alkaline. To determine if eggs are bad for gout we need to look at how the egg is cooked, plus how it is utilized. I will put this in an order of acidity levels first:

Fried - levels rise to around 10.00 - to 11.00 Poached - 9.1 to 10.00 Hard Boiled - 8.00 to 9.00 Omelet - 7.6 to 8.00 Scrambled - 7.48 to 7.90 Duck Eggs, Goose Eggs, Quail Eggs, Turkey Eggs - are lower in acid levels so you can use these levels and take about 1.00 off from the numbers above. There are egg replacements which can vary in levels. Dried whole eggs are very high in acid, frozen or dried egg yolk's are also high in acidity. Powdered egg substitutes are also very high in acidity.

Only frozen and liquid substitutes are low in acid levels. Whole raw eggs have an acidity level of around 9.41 which is quite high.

Jodi Schneiter, the author of the Gout Haters cookbooks certainly adds eggs to many of her tested recipes but only using the egg whites. It is recommended that a maximum intake of eggs is 3 to 4 per week.

If you do suffer from gout from eating eggs then try using egg whites only. It may make your food a little less colorful and a little bit boring, but you will at least eliminate the yolk which may not be good for you. If you're still get flare-ups after following all the suggestions above, you may want to change the brand of eggs that you buy. Perhaps the ones you buy are of low quality or not organic.

Baking Soda Water

Pay strict attention to certain foods that might cause gout (different people have different sensitivities), such as shellfish, nuts, lack of vitamin B complex, lack of lecithin, acidosis, excess fatty foods, or alcoholic drinks. Oysters & octopus are also major culprits. Limit high-fat foods such as salad dressings, ice cream, fried foods, gravies, and dressings. Fat holds onto uric acid in your kidneys.

A liver cirrhosis can also lead to high uric acid since the liver cannot detoxify them. In this instance, you should start alkalizing your body, and detoxing your liver by removing excess fats from your diet and supplementing with lecithin, as well as with some selenium. Most liver detox remedies posted does not cover all 4 phases of liver detoxification. Fats basically limit lymphatic drainage which worsens the gout.

From "A Complete Handbooks of Nature Cure"

One simple remedy at least from Ted's experience is to take 5-10 mg of lithium citrate per day dissolved in water before bedtime as lithium will make you sleepy. As to certain emergency cases, add 50 mg of lithium carbonate well shaken in one liter of water. So in a usual capsule of lithium carbonate of 250 mg, dissolve it in 4 liters of drinking water. Lithium is well known for its efficiency in dissolving uric acid, along with ACV and baking soda too. Just take 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 glass of water once in the evening and once in the morning and drink plenty of water. The uric acid can easily be reduced this way. A more complicated way is to take lithium carbonate/citrate. The water to drink should somehow be alkaline, which in one liter of water is filled with 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to neutralize the excess acid too. Another form of lithium is lithium orotate.

You can also add lime juice to baking soda & water. Allow it to finish fizzing before drinking the mixture.

Photo from http://goutezol.com/

If your gout is caused by too much calcium oxalates, taking vitamin C sodium ascorbate and vitamin B complex might help as they dissolve those.

A great prevention method is lots of SEX, as sexual activities reduce uric acid in fertile men. (A friendly statistic)

ANTI-GOUT DRUG A barber once told me about the drug he takes whenever he gets a gout attack that works so effectively on him and works so fast and doesn't cost a lot (the generic brand). The name of the drug is MELOXICAM. He told me he buys the 15 mg dosage. And he takes a couple of those pills every time he needs them. He said he only had to take it once and the pain is gone. Any of you ever tried that med? However someone else told me Meloxicam could cause a heart attack.

Someone posted about a gout drug called Fosamax (Alendronate) and he said it does wonders. It manages to rebuild the bone lost to infection. It helps to make normal healthy bone and slows bone loss in people with Paget's disease and osteoporosis. It may be used in others at risk for bone loss. But the big BUT is ... this drug is very EXPENSIVE.

Don't take these drugs without consulting your doctor.

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My Last Words Some medical experts say gout is hereditary. So if you have relatives or older family members that are gout sufferers, watch out. Best to keep the above alternative remedies in mind in case a gout attack happens to you. Even vegetarians, vegans and people with seemingly amazing diets can get gout. You may have to do some detective work to figure out what food or drinks trigger your gout!

Getting healed using the above remedies may not happen immediately. It may take more than a year for you to heal. So don't get discouraged or stop taking them if using the remedies I listed above don't give you their immediate relieving effects (unless you experience some negative ones). Many who have tried these remedies though (specially taking cherries or cherry supplements) felt their beneficial effect rapidly or within 24 hours after an attack.

SOURCES 1. Gout diet: What's allowed, what's not By Mayo Clinic Staff https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524

2. How to Know Cause for Flare Up?

https://ted.earthclinic.com/CURES/gout11.html

3. Natural Remedies for Gout​ https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/gout.html

4. Cherries - A Natural Treatment for Gout

https://www.earthclinic.com/cherries-for-gout.html 5. ​Natural Remedies For Gout https://www.verywell.com/natural-remedies-for-gout-89225

6. A Complete Handbooks of Nature Cure

by by H.K. Bakhru

7. 7 Proven Benefits of Quercetin (#1 is Incredible) - Dr. Axe. (2018). Dr. Axe. Retrieved 7 February 2018, from https://draxe.com/quercetin/

8. Mendoza-Dayrit, W. (2018). Food for the gout. philstar.com. Retrieved 8 February 2018, from http://www.philstar.com/health-and-family/172789/food-gout

9. FLAX SEED OIL AND GOUT. (2018). Gout-aware.com. Retrieved 8 February 2018, from http://www.gout-aware.com/flax-seed-oil-and-gout.html

10. Are Eggs Bad for Gout. (2018). Gout-aware.com. Retrieved 8 February 2018, from http://www.gout-aware.com/are-eggs-bad-for-gout.html

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