Is Natural Gout Relief Really Effective? - By: John Cielo

Gout is no longer the 'disease of kings.' In fact, it isn't a disease at all but rather a very painful arthritic condition, which is suffered by millions around the world. Unfortunately, there isn't a recognised 'cure,' but there are medications that can help you get relief from gout symptoms.

Medications are what are usually prescribed when you are diagnosed with gout. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used to reduce inflammation and help relieve pain, whilst other classes of drugs are used to help lower uric acid in the bloodstream.

But, like most drugs, these can have a range of negative side effects. And they are only effective whilst you take them. This is pretty much okay when you are on a relatively short course of NSAIDs, but, drugs for lowering uric acid levels in the blood have to be taken long-term, even for life. So people with gout are increasingly looking for natural gout relief options.

So, is natural gout relief effective? Here are 3 natural remedies that would seem to suggest 'yes'...

1 - One way to help relieve gout symptoms naturally has long been advised by many medical practitioners. Certainly, when I was diagnosed with gout some years ago now, my doctor told me to avoid certain foods in my diet. These were high purine foods that produce uric acid in the bloodstream during the metabolism process. And he was particularly insistent that I had to avoid alcohol, especially beer.

Generally speaking, high-purine foods are also high in protein, e.g., things like red meat (particularly the organs), some poultry, some fish, shellfish, and yeast. By avoiding these types of foods the overall amount of uric acid produced should be reduced and therefore the risk of gout.

So, it would seem that certain dietary changes can be an invaluable aid in natural gout relief.

And there have been several studies that have shown that inflammation, pain, and uric acid levels can be reduced using other natural methods...

2 - An outstanding example is the consumption of cherries. This was first brought to the world's attention in 1950 when a certain Dr. Ludwig Blau was said to have relieved his gout symptoms by eating a handful of cherries every day.

More recent research has found that cherries contain anthocyanins which have anti-inflammatory properties that work in much the same way as NSAIDs, but naturally. And other research has shown that cherries can also lower blood uric acid levels.

The amount of cherries for effectiveness seems to vary across these studies, with as few as 6 per day up to around 40 per day. Some researches have suggested that 20 cherries per day is the same as taking an NSAID.

So, according to the research and people's experiences with this natural remedy (including my own), cherries seem to be an effective means of natural gout relief.

3 - One more example is that of vitamin C supplements. Various studies over the past few decades have shown that vitamin C can help in reducing uric acid levels in the body. The main way it does this is through increasing urinary excretion of uric acid, rather than inhibiting its production, although a study in Taiwan in the late 1990's seemed to show that it may also prevent gout.

But there was a warning from at least one of the studies that large doses of vitamin C supplements may actually trigger a gout attack due to rapid changes in uric acid levels.

On balance, then, vitamin C could be seen as being effective in gout relief, although probably starting at lower dosages and gradually working up to 4.0 gm and perhaps even higher. It would be best to consult and work with your doctor on this.

About the Author

These are just three natural remedies for gout relief that seem to be effective. If you suffer from gout they are certainly worth trying. For more information and tips please visit http://www.thegoutsite.com.

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