Gout: Florida Podiatrist Presents Alternative Treatments

 

Dr. Burton S. Schuler a podiatrist, foot care specialist of  Panama City Fl,     has produced a series of five articles and a  video. about Gout that appears above  Gout is a painful arthritic condition caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood.  This final article of the series is about nutritional and natural treatment that the reader might want to consider when they are starting a treatment plan for gout.  Dr. Schuler is not advocating the use of any of the below but is presenting them to complement his other articles and his video on gout. He is directing the readers to further investigate them and to consultation with their doctor to use them or not. Swelling of the feet is associated with a acute gouty attack

Nutrition:

Improved nutrition awareness is one basic way to prevent and treat gout.  This dictates that gout sufferers’ do not eat anything that will further increase uric acid in their system  The nutritional treatment of gout includes avoiding foods and beverages such as alcohol (especially beer), coffee, red meat, all organ meats, meat gravies and broths, sweetbreads, seafood (especially anchovies, mussels, herring, and sardines), spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, beans, lentils, and peas. 

On the other hand foods, such as unsweetened cherries, are good for treating gout: “The equivalent of 20 tart cherries inhibits enzymes called cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, which are the targets of anti-inflammatory drugs” In general cherries have also shown promise of being useful in decreasing joint pain in general. This is due to a compound known as anthocyanins that give tart cherries their color are likely responsible for their anti-inflammatory, pain-killing effect.

 Vitamins:

Certain vitamin supplements can also lead to high uric acid levels and then cause a gouty attack. These include excessive niacin (vitamin B3), Vitamin C, and salicylates (the active component of aspirin)   Two vitamin supplements acknowledged in the successful natural treatment for gout, and should ideally be taken together daily between meals are 

1. 200-400 mg of Quercetin (which inhibits uric acid production) and 

2. 200-400 mg of Bromelain that Bromelain contains proteolytic enzymes that help to break down proteins into smaller units. 

 Proteolytic enzymes work as anti-inflammatory agents in the body and are therefore beneficial for reducing the inflammation that is associated with gout. Bromelain may also increase blood flow to the inflamed area, and this can hasten and enhance healing during flare-ups Finally, Bromelain may block the production of kinins, which are substances that are thought to contribute to the swelling, inflammation and pain of gout.

 Good Food for Gout

What can you eat that is beneficial for treating gout?  Unsweetened cherries can be consumed whole or as a juice (see above). Also, milk, non-fermented milk products, cottage cheese, mozzarella, whey protein, egg whites, and pulp-free fruit juices are all very safe and do not exacerbate gout symptoms.  But perhaps one of the most important remedies for treating gout is also one of the most readily available: water.

 Water:

 The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases  (a government agency)  suggest one of the easiest ways to treat a gout attack at home is by increasing your water intake. Many people drink coffee, soda, and energy drinks which do little to replenish kasino necessary bodily fluids, and they may, in fact, contribute to overall dehydration.  Drinking more non-caffeinated fluids, especially water, will increase your urine output.  Increased urine out can help flush excess uric acid out of the body, thus eliminating the essential factor that causes gout: excessive uric acid levels. At minimum, it is suggested to drink 64 ounces of water a day or more for general health, and especially if you suffer from any number of painful conditions, such as gout.

 Apple Cider:

In addition to increasing your water take, supplementing apple cider vinegar in your diet can also be a positive remedy for treating gout.  Apple cider vinegar is a known natural treatment for many conditions.  In Alkalize or Die, Theodore A. Baroody argues that apple cider vinegar can help shift the scale from a pH balance that”s acidic–causing gout–toward alkalinity.  “Baroody says drinking apple cider vinegar can break up uric acid crystals and prevent them from reforming in the joints. If you use apple cider vinegar to treat gout, you may notice an increase in symptoms, at least initially…this occurs because the uric acid causes some inflammation as the crystals dissolve, and these symptoms should subside within a few weeks (

 Finally, the benefits of epsom salt soaks can not be overlooked.   In a new 2012 article Epsom salts was presented as a possible treatment for gout. It is made from magnesium and sulfate, which are both very beneficial minerals used in natural Magnesium helps relieve muscle inflammation and pain: it also regulates electrolytes while improving nerve functioning.  Sulfates aid in the flushing of bodily toxins and help form joint proteins that ameliorate painful arthritic conditions such as gout.

 Whether you try one or all of these natural/ home remedies for treating gout, the above suggestions, in consultation with your physician, should get you started on your path to recovery. Of course do not over look all of the medications availably for gout, but again talk to your physician first. 

Dr. Burton S. Schuler is a foot doctor, foot specialist (Podiatrist), of Panama City, Fl and the director of the Ambulatory Foot Clinics Podiatric Pain Management Center. He is also the author of the new book Why You Really Hurt: It All Starts In The Foot 

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