Can Alternative Treatments Replace Gout Medications? - By: A. Ray

Gout treatment centers on lowering the amount of uric acid in the body. Most gout sufferers achieve this through the use of prescription gout medication, but some swear by alternative methods. Others claim they get the best results with a combination of gout meds and an alternative treatment.

A long-time home remedy for gout is a half-teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) in a large glass of water, four times a day. As baking soda is alkaline, it is believed to raise the body's ph level. Alkalinizing the blood is said to lessen its ability to hold uric acid. Some claim it starts working immediately, while others get relief between 24 hours and a week.

Be aware that the baking soda treatment should only be tried with your doctor's approval. Baking soda is high in sodium, and can raise blood pressure, as can gout. It can also cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.

Baking soda should not be taken by those with appendicitis, or heart, kidney or liver disease. If you take too much baking soda for too long, you can develop a condition called alkalosis, in which the ph of your tissues is elevated. For more information on baking soda for gout, visit http://www.best-gout-remedies.com/bakingsoda.html.

Goutweed has been used as a gout medicine through the ages, internally and externally. It is used as a tea, or mashed into a paste and applied to painful joints as a poultice. It's believed to have diuretic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Herbs said to be good for lowering uric acid include Devil's claw, yucca, and banaba, a medicinal flower from the Philippines. The spice tumeric is thought to be a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Many herbs can interact with other medications, so only use them in consultation with your health care professional.

Omega 3 fish oils (EPA/DHA) in fish oil supplements are precursors of anti inflammatory prostagladins, and may help reduce gout inflammation. Supplements are a better source than fish, as fish can be high in purines. Taking omega 6 oils in combination with omega 3s boosts the anti inflammatory effect.

A number of foods and beverages are recommended for any natural gout treatment plan, including:

• Water - Drink at least 8 glasses a day to dilute and wash out the excess uric acid. Many boost its benefits by drinking alkaline (high ph) water.

• Equal amounts of honey and apple cider vinegar (2 to 3 teaspoons a day)

• Cherries or cherry juice (7 or 8 fresh cherries a day)

• Cranberries or cranberry juice

• Grapes

• Strawberries

• Apples (3 or 4 a day)

• Bananas (7 to 8 a day)

• Fresh celery stalks

• Lime juice (2 to 3 glasses a day, for the vitamin c)

• Milk and dairy products

Gout sufferers should always take a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement, as many gout medications deplete the body of vitamins and minerals. Several studies have demonstrated vitamin C can lower uric acid levels, preferably combined with the flavonoid rutin. The effect is mild, so it's best used in combination with other treatments.

About the Author

Alex Ray advocates for access to affordable healthcare and medication. She recommends http://www.colchicine.ca as an online resource for gout information, and the Canadian pharmacy BigMountainDrugs.com as an affordable source of colchicine from Canada.

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