High Uric Acid Levels
Our kidneys can usually filter out the excess uric acid when they are functioning properly. They can be overrun when we do not eat a healthy diet and have too many simple sugars and other purine rich foods and do not drink enough water. High Uric Acid Levels need to be lowered quickly as your body is not only ripe for gout but for other acidic conditions like viral infections, yeast infections, fungal infections and even cancers!
During attacks alcoholic drinks or other drinks that dehydrate our body make the symptoms appear worse. We should drink as much water as we can and eat a bowl of vegetable soup as the alkalinity will quench the acidity of the uric acid and help relieve the flare ups.
Home Remedies For Gout
Because of the rise in health care costs and the popular inclination to try natural home remedies to prevent the need for prescription drugs and surgeries, many people are turning toward alternative remedies to treat gout. A number of these home remedies have been acknowledged for treating gout. But, are they effective or not? We will present a number of them below and discuss their likelihood of success.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is used to treat gout because its acidity relieves the acute pain associated with gout and other types of arthritis. The vinegar increases the bodys alkalinity and has anti-inflammatory properties. Some individuals also add honey to the apple cider vinegar because of honeys anti-inflammatory properties.
The bad news is that you take the concoction by the spoonful, and apple cider vinegar isnt exactly known for its amazing taste. To be most effective, you need to take up to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar three times a day. Scientific results are lacking in evidence that apple cider vinegar really works. There was a study in Japan in 2010 which looked at different diets to improve alkalization of urine to increase the removal of uric acid from the body. Apple cider vinegar was in one of the diets, but was not tested alone.
Success stories are hit or miss with apple cider vinegar and the treatment of gout. We give it two stars.
2. Ginger Root
3. Baking Soda
4. Lemon Juice
5. Epsom Salt
6. Cherries
7. Bananas
Consume Foods That Are Rich In Magnesium
Foods that contain plenty of magnesium are an important part of a diet for all gout patients. Some examples of such foods are seeds, nuts, low-fat dairy products, and greens. An adult man needs 400 mg of magnesium per day. You can get the same result by consuming magnesium supplements if you like an easy way.
Magnesium decreases uric acid. When the magnesium level is low, inflammation in the body will get worse. Sadly, there are no detailed studies that will confirm the theory, but there are a lot of people who use this remedy and claim it works well and the long term.
Suggested articles:Nuts And Gout Are Nuts Bad for Gout?
Also Check: Is Popcorn Good For Gout
Final Thoughts On Apple Cider Vinegar For Gout
Using apple cider vinegar on your salad will always turn out great, but using ACV for gout, may not give you the results you are hoping for. While it is not likely to harm you, it may not be the miracle cure youre seeking.
You may find some benefits in weight loss while using ACV, but it is not guaranteed. Other natural remedies for gout may have a greater impact on inflammation and reducing uric acid concentrations.
If the pain and inflammation become unmanageable, or your range of motion is impacted, it is important to seek medical assistance for your condition. Sometimes a dietary plan or medications will be prescribed by your healthcare professional.
If severe enough, and left untreated, gout can progress into other serious conditions, including kidney stones and heart problems. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor, even if using home remedies to treat your gout.
Other articles you might like
Homeopathic Remedy For Gout
Here is the top Homeopathic Remedy for Gout that you will want to have on hand before your next gout flare up. The top homeopathic gout remedies use one or more of the following homeopathic medicines:
- Arnica is a homeopathic gout remedy that works on relieving gout pain
- Belladonna works for acute gout inflammation, redness and swelling
- Benzoic Acid is good for breaking up inflammation in your big toe or knees
- Colchicum helps prevent gout flare-ups, particularly in colder weather
- Ledum great at reducing swelling due to gout
- Lycopodium helps break up gout crystals that have formed in your extremities, particularly your toes
- Urtica Urens is a natural uric acid lowering homeopathy remedy for gout
You can get these homeopathic gout remedies individually or in an ayurvedic and homeopathic gout relief kit They are a complete gout relief system that gets rid of the cause of your gout so the symptoms are gone for good.
Read Also: Why Does Allopurinol Worsen Acute Gout
Controlling Other Risk Factors
Additional evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar may help minimize certain risk factors for gout, including insulin resistance and obesity. Controlling these risk factors also reduces the likelihood of developing hyperuricemia.
One animal study performed on rats eating a high-fat diet found that vinegar made the rats feel more full, which led to significant weight loss.
Another study from 2010 followed 12,000 men, ages 35-57, for a lengthy 7-year duration. Researchers compared the subjects who lost significant weight against those who didnt. The results showed that the group who lost weight was four times more likely to have reduced their uric acid levels.
Another trigger, unsurprisingly, is the foods you eat. One study found that sugar, red meat, alcohol, and seafood may increase uric acid crystal buildup in the body. To effectively flush uric acid out of your body, stick to a low-fat diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while consuming the other items in moderation.
Whats The Best Way To Take Lab
Your body doesnt typically excrete enough uric acid on its own to minimize the risk of a gout attack. Lab-grade Chanca Piedra is that extra added push for your body to be able to not only flush out uric acid in the kidney and liver, but to also inhibit the formation of uric acid crystals. Chanca Piedra has also been shown to help with inflammation.
To dissolve uric acid crystals or to prevent them from forming altogether:
Keep in mind that each individual is unique and will respond differently to each treatment type. Always discuss any new treatments that you are considering with your physician prior to starting them so he/she can review with you any potential medication interactions and potential side effect concerns.
Also Check: Home Remedies To Help With Gout
Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking extra fluids can help your kidneys more quickly dispense of excess uric acid via your urine, says Elizabeth Volkmann, MD, a rheumatologist and translational researcher at UCLA Health.
Women should aim to drink at least 90 ounces of water a day, and men need 125 ounces, according to the Food and Nutrition Board. Aim for at least that much, or a little more, to ensure your kidneys can do their thing. Coffee can also increase uric acid excretion, Dr. Volkmann says.
Topical Cold Or Hot Application
Applying cold or hot water to inflamed joints may also be effective.
Studies and opinions on this are mixed. Soaking in cold water is most often recommended and considered most effective. Ice packs may also work.
Soaking in hot water is typically only recommended when inflammation isnt as intense.
Alternating hot and cold applications may also be helpful.
Recommended Reading: Are Strawberries Good For Gout
How To Handle Your First Gout Attack
After a first attack of gout, its OK to try to stave off another one with dietary changes alone. But if you have another attack, its important to start taking preventive gout medications on a regular basis. Long-term medications for gout include allopurinol and febuxostat, both of which limit uric acid production.
Some patients, says Dr. Fields, treat each attack as a separate event and dont talk to their doctors about doing a preventive approach. He uses the analogy of lighting a book of matches. If you have one match lit, its easy to put out, but if you have the whole book lit, its a lot harder.
Practice Mindfulness And Meditation
The good news: A gout attack is self-limited and will clear in time. In the meantime, according to the Arthritis Foundation, meditation, yoga breathing, mindfulness, and guided imagery can help you deal with the pain.
RELATED: Why You Want to Elicit the Relaxation Response If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Read Also: Home Remedy For Gout Arthritis
Home Remedies For Gout Flares
While you taking medication to fight the pain and inflammation during a gout flare, there are a few other simple gout home remedies you can use to ease the discomfort. Rest is important try to keep the impacted joint higher than your heart. Ice may also be helpful, because it brings down swelling. Research shows that ice is particularly soothing for gout if youre dealing with a different type of arthritis, a heating pad may be a better choice.
Some people also say that eating cherries or drinking tart cherry juice helps during a gout flare. While studies have shown that cherry lovers may be less likely to have frequent gout flares, its not clear whether loading up on this fruit during an attack will make an immediate difference. Cherries may be helpful because theyre rich in antioxidants, and tart cherries may help lower uric acid levels .
Additional Tips For Treating Gout Naturally
Studies show that many of the dietary items we consume lead to gout as well as other health problems. Changing your diet and lifestyle may be the easy solution to beating gout. One of the first things to do is eliminate certain foods and beverages from your diet to beat gout.
1. Eliminate or reduce sugar intake
As many studies are now illustrating, gout is common in people with excessive sugar intake, especially high fructose corn syrup Its wise to read the labels of all your food and drinks. If you find HFCS then eliminate that from your diet. In addition, look for sugar added under the guise of other common names for sugar look for cose at the end of words and these are probably types of sugar you dont want to be consuming.
2. Eliminate grains
Grains in the body are converted to sugars so again you want to limit or avoid grains altogether. They are also very inflammatory to your body.
3. Limit alcohol consumption
Again, alcohol becomes sugar once ingested so eliminate this completely unless you have a healthy body already. Any substance that will be converted to one or another type of sugar by the body should be avoided at all costs. In order to get your uric acid levels down you must consistently avoid sugar in your diet.
4. Eliminate soda and diet soda
5. Consume cherries and strawberries daily
6. Exercise
If you want to learn more natural remedies and natural cures, subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Read Next: The Arthritis Diet & Supplementation Plan
Recommended Reading: Does Gout Only Affect The Feet
Be Careful With Supplements
Vitamin C supplements may reduce uric acid levels in the blood, says the Mayo Clinic, but it hasnt been studied as a specific remedy for gout. Omega-3 fatty acids may help to decrease inflammation, but should be avoided if you are taking blood thinners, including aspirin. Avoid taking vitamin A and niacin, which may trigger gout attacks. Check with your health care provider about the recommended doses of any supplement you are considering before adding to your diet.
- Vitamin C supplements may reduce uric acid levels in the blood, says the Mayo Clinic, but it hasnt been studied as a specific remedy for gout.
Increase Your Fluid Intake
You must consume ample amounts of fluids daily to dilute uric acid and facilitate its excretion through more urine output. Water is your best bet, but you can also supplement your fluid needs through healthy juices and succulent fruits or vegetables.
Avoid alcohol and sweetened beverages such as sodas, which can dehydrate the body due to their strong diuretic effect.
Read Also: Signs And Symptoms Of Gout In Big Toe
Other Natural Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Gout
While ACV is among the most-tried home remedies for gout, some people may consider the following additional options to get rid of gout:
- Cherry extract
- Ginger
- Magnesium
Like apple cider vinegar, there is no concrete evidence on these items to cure gout by themselves. But they may cause a small decrease in the number of uric acid crystals present in your body.
Most of these natural remedies are also known to target inflammation, which may help reduce redness, swelling, and pain. Like ACV, turmeric helps weight loss in some individuals and is worth a closer look if you dont get the results you want from apple cider vinegar alone.
Gout Remedies That Work
Gout is something that plagues more and more people every day, and its caused from uric acid buildup in the body. I want to go over my top six home gout remedies all-natural ways to beat gout symptoms but right before that, go over the diet that is crucial to get rid of gout, along with the worst food offenders.
So if you have gout, the first thing you have to do is eliminate the excess sugar and grains in your diet, as well as processed meat. That means you need to kick that sugar addiction, as sugar feeds yeast in the body and conventional grains turn into sugar. Meanwhile, those meats are full of unhealthy hormones and antibiotics, and theyre so acidic to your system. In terms of beverages, its important to stay away from alcohol. Diet- and drink-wise, those are the best things you can do right now to eliminate gout symptoms.
In terms of a gout diet, its key to begin eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and organic meats. Some of the best foods include bone broth and my Chicken Vegetable Soup recipe.
You May Like: Foods That May Cause Gout
Symptoms Of Gout Flares
Gout is a type of arthritis that flares and subsides, especially at first. Common symptoms of a gout flare include:
- Intense joint pain that comes on suddenly, often in the middle of the night
- Most commonly affects the big toe can occur in other toe joints, ankle, knee, and more
- Typically strikes one joint at a time more can be affected as the disease progresses
- Affected joint is swollen, painful, warm to the touch, and red
- Pain from a flare can last up a week or two with long periods of remission in between
Why Do I Suffer From Gout
One word: hyperuricemia. Or, in other words, increased uric acid in your blood. This is the reason why your joints are painful and inflamed. Uric acid is a normal product in your body it is a substance that breaks down purines in your body which are found in certain foods that we eat, in addition to being found in human cells. When your body overproduces uric acid, youre at risk for developing gout. But, why would your body overproduce uric acid?
The triggers of hyperuricemia include:
- Injury
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Eating large amounts of red meat and shellfish
- Dehydration
- Drinking sugary sodas
It is these types of triggers that can create the hyperuricemia, which can result in gout. When you overproduce uric acid, your kidneys have to work harder to flush out the extra uric acid out of your bloodstream, as they would normally do.
Don’t Miss: Foods To Avoid That Cause Gout
Take Your Prescription Drugs
If you’ve had a gout attack before, your physician may have prescribed drugs to treat attacks. This may be your first line of defense or you may decide to use them only when NSAIDs fail to relieve your pain.
Prescription medications to treat gout include:
- Prednisolone oral tablets, which has been shown to work as well as NSAIDs and often doesnt cause the same stomach upset. Prednisolone is a type of corticosteroid and does carry other potential side effects, particularly if it is taken for longer than the recommended 5 days.4
- Colchicine, which has been shown effective in reducing pain and inflammation if taken in the first 24 hours of an attack. Always follow your physicians instructions regarding dosing to decrease your risk for potential complications and side effects.
Opioid painkillers, such as codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone, are not recommended to treat the pain caused by gout.
See Pain Medications for Arthritis Pain Relief
Gout Signs And Symptoms
Gout Signs and Symptoms. It is no laughing matter! It hurts in a big way, particularly in the extremities and feet. It feels like you have just stubbed your big toe on a brick wall, but the gout pain doesnt stop there, it just keeps on its own agenda. So what are the most common symptoms of gout?
- Pain in your toes, particularly your big toe
- Reddish or Purplish skin around the affected joint or area
- Heat and Swelling in a joint
- Itching or Peeling around the affected area
- Tenderness to the touch
- Nodules or Lesions around the affected area
- Restricted range of movement of the affected area
The signs of gout are a little different than joint arthritis, but similar in some areas.
You May Like: What Can I Do For Gout In My Foot