Natural Remedies for Gout Relief - Important Tips

Are you seeking effective natural remedies for gout?

When I think of gout, the first thing that comes to mind is the memory of a television scene. The scene is of a round old man with a cane heading for the nearest place to sit. After plopping down in the chair and rubbing his leg, he would complain that his 'gout' was flaring up. I realize that is very stereotypical; however, it is mostly true.

Gout affects more men than women. Overweight and obese people tend to suffer from gout more than those of average weight. Also, those who are heavy alcohol drinkers seem predisposed to developing this painful condition.

Gout is a form of arthritis that affects the feet, especially the joints of the big toes. What we see on television shows about gout is often comedic. The ugly truth is gout can be intensely painful and debilitating. Gout usually comes in sudden attacks and is characterized by severe pain, redness, and swelling, usually in one joint at a time. Gout attacks can last from a few minutes to a few days.

The cause of gout, basically, is the build up of uric crystals in and around the joints. This build up is, in turn, caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood stream. Many risk factors contribute to uric acid levels:

• Genetics; a family history of gout increases your risk.
• Obesity.
• Adult Male; gout affects more men than women and more adults than children.
• Eating shellfish and organ meats; any high purine food that inhibits uric acid excretion.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Exposure to lead in the environment.
• Prescription medications; diuretics, anti-inflammatory medications, and the vitamin niacin - these all reduce the body’s ability to excrete uric acid.

Role of Diet in Treating Gout Naturally

In using natural remedies for gout, you must realize that diet is a huge factor in gout prevention and relief. There are a few things that you can do in your daily routine to lessen the severity and duration of attacks. Keep these in mind if you suffer from painful gout flare ups.

First, drink plenty of water. This is the simplest of the natural remedies for gout. Water helps your body excrete more uric acid. Elevated uric acid is the culprit in gout, and flushing it out with water keeps uric crystals from settling in the joints.

Next, maintain proper weight by regular exercise. Third, in using natural remedies for gout, you must watch what you eat. Certain foods, such as shellfish and large amounts of red meat, instigate gout attacks. Generally, high purine foods should be avoided - these include animal parts like the liver, heart and kidneys. Also, alcohol consumption has been linked to flare ups.

Since uric acid levels are where gout attacks begin, it makes sense to add to your diet things which will reduce those levels. Vitamin C is a wonderful uric acid reducer. You may either take a vitamin C supplement or add fruits and fruit juices that have the vitamin in them. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes are known to be a great source of vitamin C.

Cherries are also loaded with vitamin C and are touted to be one of the very best gout relievers world wide. Do not underestimate cherries - this is one of the most powerful natural remedies for gout attacks. It is recommended that you have from one half cup to a pound of cherries daily for two weeks. If eating cherries is not a favorite of yours, you may opt for drinking one glass of black cherry juice a day.

Herbal Remedies for Gout

As part of dietary changes, many gout patients also find that the addition of certain herbs to their regimen of supplements to be beneficial in managing this condition and as natural remedies for gout.

Dandelion, used as a tea or in capsule form, is a wonderful detoxifier. Use it to cleanse your system and keep organ function at an optimum.

Turmeric is a bright yellow herb, most often used in Indian dishes. This herb has very potent anti-inflammatory properties. Add this herb to dishes to keep gout swelling at bay.

Ginger is also a good anti-inflammatory. Drink a tea made of fresh ginger root, honey and lemon. A compress of very strong ginger tea can also be used topically for pain relief and to reduce swelling.

These three herbs are indeed useful herbal natural remedies for gout relief.

To learn more about using natural remedies for gout treatment, read the other related gout pages and articles.

Read More: More on Gout | Natural Health Remedies for Various Ailments and Conditions | Home Page | Site Search

Click here to learn more about a natural home remedy for gout, where you can cure gout pain using 3 simple grocery items.

Click here for natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for gout.

Click here for more pages and articles on Gout.

	Get Quality Natural Health Supplements at Reasonable Prices. $5 or $10 discount for new customers
Get natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for hundreds of health conditions and ailments. GO.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read. Leave a comment in the box below.

Some Related Gout Pages

Foods to Avoid With Gout - a Man's Experience

Natural Gout Cures - Simple Home Remedies

Herbs for Gout Prevention and Relief - Useful Herbal Remedies

Home Remedies for Gout Relief

Consuming Cherries and Gout Relief - Benefits

Natural Remedies for Gout Relief - Important Tips

Alternative Treatment for Gout - Natural and Effective Relief

Diet for Gout Patients - Food Tips

Gout Herbal Remedies - Natural Treatments

Possible Gout Causes

Natural Gout Remedies for Relief