When To See A Doctor
For many people, gout is a progressive disease. So you may start to notice more frequent flare-ups or more intense symptoms.
If you do, thats a good reason to call your doctor. Left untreated, gout attacks can eventually cause permanent damage to your joints.
Experiencing unpleasant or unusual side effects or not tolerating the side effects of the medicine youre taking are other good reasons to make an appointment with your doctor.
If you want to switch medications, try a new one, or add in a supplement, discuss that with your doctor too.
Understanding And Managing Symptoms Of Gout
Michelle Brass | 11 August
Cases of gout date back to the Ancient Egyptians, making it one of the worlds oldest recorded diseases. It was once named the rich man’s disease or kingsdiseaseas it was linked to the richdiet – heavy in meat and alcohol – associated with wealth many years ago1.
Today, gout progression is linked with diet, weight, stress, and injury. Without treatment, gout will generally get worse and flare ups may be triggered by certain factors.
Let’s take a look at what gout is defined as, what causes it and some suggestions on how you may be able to naturally manage the symptoms of this very debilitating inflammatory condition.
How To Use Folic Acid For Gout Relief And Prevention
Most of your folate consumption can be obtained through a balanced and nutritious diet. However, if you are unable to obtain the recommended amounts, then you can supplement with a capsule or tablet folic acid instead. The recommended amount of folic acid for adults Is 400 mcg daily. When taking folic acid independently, it is best to take it with a multivitamin or other B vitamins in order for the compound to be active.
Recommended Reading: Is Rice Good For Gout
Importance Of Vitamin D
And yes, I mentioned only the most important studies which have been conducted all over the globe. There have been dozens of other studies and researches but all of them discovered the same thing. Vitamin D is essential for your health, or better said for your protection from gout and different types of arthritis. This vitamin is probably the most important type of vitamin our body needs to protect itself from these diseases.
I must add that vitamin D is essential for protecting kidneys, heart, preventing inflammation and gingivitis. As such, it is something you will have to consider even if you are not a gout sufferer. If you are, then this vitamin is even more important for you and it is definitely something to consider starting from today.
There will be plenty of additional studies and researches regarding gout and vitamin D, but at this moment, there is no any information regarding the matter. Scientists still dont know how actually this vitamin affects the human body when it comes to gout.
Parsley And Gout: How Effective Is Parsley For Gout
Parsley and gout: Parsley was first used as a medicinal herb before it was ever used for food. It can help to boost your immune system, strengthen your bones, repair damage to your nerves, improve your eyesight, and encourage rapid blood clotting. But how good is it for gout? Read on to find out
Read Also: Is Onion Bad For Gout
Folic Acid Reduces The Liver Toxicity In Patients Taking Methotrexate
A study was conducted to see the effect of folic acid supplementation on liver toxicity caused by methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
It was a 48-week trial and at the end of the study period, it was observed that folate supplementation lowers the level of liver enzymes which decreased the rate at which methotrexate was discontinued.
Another study was conducted for the same purpose and a 16% improvement in the occurrence of liver problems was observed in patients who had taken folic acid supplementation.
Also, 21 out of 100 people got abnormal liver tests when they were treated with methotrexate alone.
However, only 5 out of 100 people got abnormal liver tests when they took folate along with methotrexate.
What does this mean? This means that folate supplementation has a positive effect in reducing the liver toxicity caused by methotrexate. It also decreases the rate of discontinuation of methotrexate by people.
Gout And Supplements: What You Need To Know
Here’s what you should know about supplements to ease gout symptoms.
1. Gout and Supplements: What You Need to Know
2. Discuss with the Doctor
3. Get Going with Good Fats
4. Reduce Pain with GLA
5. Make a Move for MSM
6. Get a Folic Acid Fix
7. Rev up the Vitamin C
8. Consider Eastern Medicine
9. Embrace Herbs
10. Get Charged on Cherries
11. Learn More
Complementary Therapies
You May Like: Allopurinol And Alcohol Interaction
Intense Big Toe Pain From Gout: A Classic Symptom Of An Attack
While the big toe is the most common place for a gout attack to happen, gout can also affect surrounding joints in the foot, ankle, and knee.
People with gout typically experience flare-ups, or attacks, of symptoms followed by periods with no symptoms. The attacks typically last 3 to 10 days. Some people go months or even years without a gout attack after having one. In other people, attacks may become more frequent over time.
Gout can be difficult to diagnose. Once its diagnosed, it can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes.
How Folic Acid May Help
The enzyme that produces uric acid is called xanthine oxidase. Gout is the overproduction of uric acid that then crystallizes in the joints, causing swelling, inflammation and pain can often be crippling. Folic acid naturally neutralizes this enzyme, blocking it and thus reduces the amount of uric acid that the body produces. It can help to regulate the amount of uric acid that is already in the body making gout flare-ups less painful when they occur. It may also act as a preventative to flare-ups.
Also Check: Black Cherry Juice For Gout Cvs
Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.
If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.
Organic Is The Best Way
Vitamin C and gout will be in a much better correlation if we consume organic fruits. The main advantage is in the fact they dont contain pesticides, herbicides or any other chemical which may be an issue for your health. Then we have the fact that you can use these fruits for a long period of time, due to the same reason.
The last, but also important fact is that organic fruit has more vitamin C than conventionally grown fruit. In essence, you will get a high amount of it when consumed the same amount of fruit. I wont have to repeat that vitamin C has numerous effects on the human body and it provides countless health benefits.
Of course, it may be difficult or impossible for some of you to consume these fruits and vegetables daily or even weekly. Basically, everything that is made or can be made from these fruits and vegetables should be consumed. There are no side effects regarding this vitamin, so the more you intake it, the better.
Also Check: Is Pistachio Bad For Gout
Folic Acid For Gout Relief And Prevention
Folic Acid is an essential B vitamin that aids in the breakdown macronutrients that are critical for the function and effectiveness of your organs. Keeping your organs such as your kidneys and liver fueled will help ensure that it can work effective to filter uric acid out of the blood and into your urine. Additionally, folic acid contains properties that have xanthine oxidase inhibiting properties.
How Hyperuricemia And Gout Develop
Metabolism of Purines
The process leading to hyperuricemia and gout begins with the metabolism, or breakdown, of purines. Purines are compounds that are important for energy. They are part of the nucleic acids that are present in all cells of the body. Purines can be divided into two types:
- Endogenous purines are produced within human cells.
- Exogenous purines are obtained from food.
The process of breaking down purines results in the formation of uric acid in the body. Most mammals, except humans, have an enzyme called uricase. Uricase breaks down uric acid so it can be easily removed from the body. Because humans lack uricase, uric acid is not easily removed and can build up in body tissues.
Uric Acid and Hyperuricemia
Purines in the liver are converted to uric acid. The uric acid enters the bloodstream. Most of the uric acid goes through the kidneys and is excreted in urine. The remaining uric acid travels through the intestines where bacteria help break it down.
The enzyme responsible for production of uric acid from purines is xanthine oxidase. This enzyme is the target of urate-lowering treatments such as allopurinol.
Normally these processes keep the level of uric acid in the blood below 6.8 mg/dL. But sometimes the body produces too much uric acid or removes too little. In either case, the level of uric acid increases in the blood. This condition is known as hyperuricemia.
You May Like: Are Almonds Bad For Gout
Common Conditions People Have *:
* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.
Research Supporting Folic Acid And Gout Relief And Prevention
A response study to a report that supported folic acid as a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor, looked closely into the activity of this compound. It was found that it is not folic acid directly that inhibits the enzyme, but instead petrin aldehyde, a photolytic breakdown product of folic acid was responsible for the inactivation of xanthine oxidase. This study was meant to clarify the active chemical that was responsible for the inhibitory effects.
Read Also: Is Onion Bad For Gout
Uricel Uric Acid Support Formula
Are you looking out for a powerful uric acid supplement which helps to detox your body naturally? Then you have to purchase Uricel Uric Acid Support Formula.
It has 4 key ingredients turmeric, chanca piedra, celery seed extract and cherry extract. All these powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are very helpful in treating the gout, reducing uric acid levels, soothing the pain and decreasing the swelling.
The chanca piedra is very effective in improving the digestive system so that it can successfully flush out the excess uric acid levels. And the most amazing part is that, instead of traditional capsules, this formula is available in liquid extracts.
Unlike the capsules, liquid extracts are more easily absorbed by the body within first 20 30 seconds. S, you will achieve effective results in a short period of time.
Pros:
- Formulated to supplement your daily diet.
- State of the art extraction and blending.
Cons:
Folic Acid Reduces Side Effects Of The Anti
Whenever we are talking about the benefits of folic acid in rheumatoid arthritis, it is always put in relation with methotrexate.
Methotrexate is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug and is most commonly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
It helps in the reduction of pain and inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory chemicals, slows the progressive disease, and also the joint damage.
Methotrexate was initially developed to treat cancer by inhibiting cell growth and preventing their access to folic acid.
A deficiency in folic acid can cause many problems like increased bone marrow toxicity, nausea, abdominal pain, mouth ulcers, liver problems, fatigue, and a reduced red blood cell count. Sometimes these side effects are so intense that people stop taking methotrexate.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis being treated with methotrexate experience a decrease in the folic acid in the cells.
Hence it is advisable to take folate supplements along with methotrexate to reduce the side effects caused by methotrexate.
What does this mean? Intake of methotrexate lowers the level of folic acid in the cells. This folate deficiency can lead to many health problems which indicates the necessity of folate supplementation along with methotrexate.
Read Also: Almonds And Gout
Interactions With Other Medications
Folic acid interacts with the following medications:
- Fosphenytoin: folic acid can increase the rate the body breaks down this seizure inhibiting drug, therefore making it less effective at its function.
- Methotrexate: folic acid can decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
- Phenobarbital: folic acid can decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
- Primidone: Folic acid can decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
- Pyruethamine: folic acid can decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
How Much Should I Take To Get Relief
The recommended daily amount of folic acid is 400 mcg for adults . You can obtain folic acid through a balanced and nutritious diet and can also supplement with over-the-counter supplements and drugs. When taking folic acid independently, it is best to take it with a multivitamin or other B vitamins in order for the compound to be active.
Learn About Gout
Also Check: Are Almonds Good For Gout
Folic Acid Reduces Heart Risk In Arthritis
It has been seen that rheumatoid arthritis is linked with cardiovascular disease.
There have been incidences in which people with rheumatoid arthritis die of cardiovascular disease rather than by rheumatoid arthritis.
An increase in heart problems in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is linked with an intake of methotrexate.
The inhibition of production of folic acid by methotrexate increases the level of amino acid in the blood which causes inflammation in the blood vessels.
This leads to the formation of plaque in the arteries which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What does this mean? This means that when methotrexate is given alone to treat rheumatoid arthritis, then there is an increase in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease in patients. Folic supplementation with methotrexate protects the patients with rheumatoid arthritis against heart diseases.
Diagnosis And Conventional Medical Treatments
Blood tests can determine whether a patient is hyperuricemic , but the most definitive feature in the diagnosis of gout is the identification of monosodium urate crystals in joint fluid or aspirates of tophi. Once gout has been diagnosed, conventional medical treatments include:
- Drugs for acute attacks
- Drugs to reduce hyperuricemia
Read Also: Almonds Good For Gout
Examination Of Synovial Fluid
Synovial fluid examination is the most accurate method for diagnosing gout. The synovial fluid is the lubricating liquid that fills the joint space . This is the membrane that surrounds a joint and creates a protective sac. The fluid cushions joints and supplies nutrients and oxygen to the cartilage surface that coats the bones. This exam also helps detect gout between attacks.
A procedure called arthrocentesis is performed. The health care provider uses a needle attached to a syringe to draw out fluid from the affected joint. This is called aspiration. The fluid sample is sent to a laboratory. If crystals of uric acid, also called monosodium urate are found, this makes the diagnosis of gout. These crystals are very distinctive under the microscope using special polarizing filters. Aspiration sometimes eases symptoms by reducing swelling and pressure on the tissue surrounding the joint.
Synovial fluid analysis is a method to look at the fluid that cushions a joint. It is done to help diagnose and treat joint-related problems such as gout.
Treatment: Acute Gout Attack
Acute attacks of gout and long-term treatment of gout and hyperuricemia require different approaches. Treatment usually involves medication. After the first attack, some health care providers advise patients to keep a supply of medicines on hand to take at the first sign of symptoms of a second attack.
Treatments are prescribed for conditions associated with gout, including uric acid nephropathy and uric acid nephrolithiasis.
Supportive measures include applying ice and resting the affected joint.
Many patients do not require medication. Often lifestyle and dietary measures are enough to prevent attacks. Measures include not eating foods high in purines, not drinking alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Medicines for gout attacks are aimed at relieving pain and reducing inflammation. These include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
These medicines may be combined to treat a gout attack.
Recommended Reading: Are Oranges Good For Gout
Treatment Effects On Primary And Secondary Outcomes
Mean baseline UA concentrations were comparable between the 2 groups . After a median 4.4 y of treatment, the UA concentration increased by 34.7 ± 72.5 µmol/L in the enalapril-alone group and by 30.7 ± 71.8 µmol/L in the enalaprilfolic acid group, which resulted in a mean group difference of 4.0 µmol/L . Adjustment for changes in the eGFR and other important covariables at baseline attenuated but did not substantially change the results . Furthermore, compared with the enalapril-alone group, the enalaprilfolic acid group showed a significant increase in the adjusted odds of a reduction of UA concentrations > 20 µmol/L and of a UA reduction > 10% .
Effects of folic acid therapy on primary and secondary outcomes in hypertensive patients in the uric acid substudy of the CSPPT
In participants with hyperuricemia at baseline, UA concentrations decreased by 15.6 ± 89.4 and 28.0 ± 91.3 µmol/L in the enalapril-alone group and enalaprilfolic acid group, respectively, which resulted in a mean group difference of 8.7 µmol/L . The proportion of controlled hyperuricemia in the enalapril-alone group and enalaprilfolic acid group was 25.6% and 30.3%, respectively, which resulted in a significant increase in the adjusted odds of controlled hyperuricemia . Similar beneficial trends were observed in participants with UA concentrations 476 µmol/L at baseline or with UA concentrations 357 µmol/L at baseline .