Gout – The disease of the wealthy….at least that is what the old wives tales say.
Medically speaking, the underlying cause of Gout is hyperuricemia – which is the buildup of excess uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is produced during the metabolism of purines. High amounts of this compound are found in certain foods and beverages such as meats, poultry, seafood and beer.
The old wives tale that Gout was the disease of the rich and famous came about because in the old days (the days of WWI and II, and the 1900’s depression), only the rich and famous could regularly eat high cost meats and fish, etc. Many of the rest of the population could only afford to eat cold cut meats, spam and other inexpensive types of meat and fish. It, at that time, was all about protein….too much protein.
You get purine from the diet and the body makes purine. According to Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, “Purines are important for the synthesis of nucleic acids. They are the building blocks of DNA. However, your body does not need the purines that are in foods eaten in the diet because the body produces them on its own.” Hyperuricemia therefore, is the result of the production in the body of excess uric acid. The high blood level of uric acid increases the risk of a person getting gout. Because everyone’s body chemistry is not the same, some folks will get gout and some will not. So, if you are at risk, what can you do to prevent hyperuricemia and getting gout?
What does Gout do? It puts you at risk for heart disease which is also associated with diabetes, obesity, and chronic inflammation. Gout is painful because the needle-like crystals of uric acid are piercing the joint tissues…then you see redness (inflammation) and swelling and may even feel heat. Gout pain can be so severe that people can’t work, don’t have a social life, and some don’t even leave their homes. Many folks, because of the pain become addicted to over the counter and prescription painkillers which are not safe.
How do you know if you have gout? Classically….a swollen, red, big toe. However, just about any joint can be involved. You need to check with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms for tests and a correct diagnosis, since other health issues may also have the same symptoms.
The pain of gout can be quickly reduced by reducing the swelling and inflammation. Start with icing and resting the affected area, then medicate with natural pain killers, remembering you need to eliminate the cause and not just treat the symptoms. The following foods are natural painkillers; tart cherries, Korean angelica, Boswellia, pineapple (for bromelain) and/or try our FYI Store’s Pain Tonic (Click on Health Links), and don’t forget the Vitamin C. Each of these will help reduce the pain and uric acid levels.
The natural thing to do is to change your diet/lifestyle.
- Avoid dietary purines – red meats, pork, lamb and seafood (it’s the protein in these meats that are the culprit for increasing the uric acid level). Remember the body makes its own protein/purine as needed.
- Eliminate sugar-sweetened drinks, soda pop, etc.
- Maintain a healthy weight as obesity increases the risk of gout.
- Improve kidney health. Try our Kidney & Bladder ll Tonic to improve and keep up healthy kidney function.
- Add to that the Thyroid & Thymus Tonic to optimize thyroid function.
- As well the Blood Tonic will optimize blood pressure.
- Also, we have a Chem/Metal Detox Tincture to help lower the lead in your body. Exposure to lead has through scientific studies been linked to some cases of gout.
- Minimize the use of prescription diuretics. It has been scientifically proven that medications that increase urine flow are associated with Gout.
- And, if you are prone to experience Sleep Apnea – Treat it. A recent study in “Arthritis & Rheumatology” has found that ‘sleep apnea ‘ is an independent risk of gout.
- IN SUMMARY: If you are, or think you are, at risk for Gout, because of the earlier mentioned symptoms (inflammation, joint pain, swelling, etc.), take the proper steps needed to cut the inflammation and prevent the buildup of uric acid. Keep in mind what affects one part of your body negatively – will also affect other parts of your body.
- If you have any questions, feel free to Email me with your concerns.God Bless!