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GOUT
- What You Can Do
Gout
is a common joint disorder, and luckily for you is one of
the most controllable metabolic disorders. Gout occurs when
uric acid such as monosodium urate accumulates in the blood.
This accumulation is due to the inability of kidneys to
process this normal waste product. The dysfunction may be
due to excess uric acid in the blood, a disorder of purine
metabolism, or decreased kidney efficiency. In either case,
uric acid crystals form and then accumulate in body areas
where blood flow is too slow or sluggish to remove the crystals.
The
knuckles, elbows, knees and toes are common places of accumulation.
If found between the joints, the surrounding tissue becomes
inflamed as the crystallized uric acid tears into the soft
tissue. Nerve endings then become irritated and this causes
extreme pain. There may only be one attack, or several.
If the crystals lodge in the kidneys themselves, they can
cause partial or complete kidney damage. Furthermore, gout
can be a symptom of a more serious underlying disorder.
Males
contract the disorder after puberty, females after menopause.
It is at these times that uric acid levels increase. If
not treated, gout may cause joint deformity. Treatments
include a change in dietary and nutritional habits, decrease
in ethyl alcohol consumption, and use of diuretics and antibiotics.
Aspirin should not be taken, since, like alcohol, it inhibits
uric acid secretion.
The
following list is a collection of the most common predisposing
factors for the onset of gout:
| *Lead Poisoning |
*Diuretic therapy, especially mercurial diuretics
|
| *Medications including penicillin and insulin |
*Temporary overindulgence in food |
| *Temporary overindulgence in ethyl alcohol |
*Surgical procedures |
| *Down's syndrome |
*Fatigue |
| *Arthritis |
*Alcoholism |
| *Obesity |
|
You may notice
any of the following signs and symptoms:
| *Twinges |
*Swelling |
*Inflammation |
| *Tenderness |
*Warmth |
*Fever |
| *Malaise |
*Chills |
*Leukocytosis |
| *Tachycardia |
*Symptoms of kidney stones |
|
| *Severe throbbing, crushing, or excruciating
pain, usually in the elbows, hands, knees, or feet;
pain usually appears without warning and even may appear
while sleeping. |
DIETARY
CONSIDERATIONS
Most cases of gout are managed by drugs alone. However,
it is also easily helped by making a few changes to the
diet and considering a nutritional approach. Attacks may
be brought on by a variety of foods from mushrooms to seafood.
It is advisable to follow a 'Low Purine Diet' to eliminate
any needless increase in uric acid levels, and to increase
the efficacy of anti-gout medication. Uric acid is the end
product of purine metabolism. The increased uric acid levels
found in gout are caused by increased ingestion of purines,
or the kidney's inability to excrete the metabolic waste
product. Sodium urates then collect in the joints and tissue,
creating inflammation and inducing great pain which resemble
that of arthritis. The Low Purine Diet is designed to restrict
the intake of purine-rich foods, thereby decreasing uric
acid levels and joint inflammation.
Foods to be restricted
in a Low Purine Diet:
| *Meat |
*Fish |
*Poultry |
*Mackerel |
| *Mussels |
*Scallops |
*Dried beans |
*Green peas |
| *Lentils |
*Mushrooms |
*Soybeans |
*Spinach |
| *Celery (vege) |
*Asparagus |
*Anchovies |
*Sardines |
| *Organ meats |
*Gravies |
*Yeast |
*Mincemeat |
Care should be
taken to include one serving per day in the following category:
| *Meat |
*Fish |
*Milk |
*Cheese |
*Eggs |
*Poultry |
Otherwise the diet
will be deficient in iron, niacin, and thiamine (B Vitamins).
We encourage you
to drink plenty of fluids to help the kidney flush uric
acid from the body. You may also benefit by incorporating
elements of the Alkaline Ash Diet into the Low Purine Diet.
The Alkaline Ash
Diet is composed primarily of fruits and vegetables, and
increases the alkalinity of the urine. Cranberries, plums,
prunes, and corn are excluded from this recommendation because
they are acid-forming. Milk and milk products, olives, molasses,
chestnuts, almonds and coconuts are all considered alkaline-forming
foods (although don't have too many milk products, as you
may become very congested).
The serum levels
of vitamin B-12, fat, carotene, sodium, potassium, lactose,
nitrogen, and cholesterol should be monitored periodically.
Supplements should be prescribed if deficiencies arise.
In general, anti-gout drugs decrease the absorption of fat-soluble
vitamins so we recommend taking a good multivitamin at the
very least.
OTHER
HELPFUL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS:
Barley Grass or other Green Vegetable Drink
- A juiced and dehydrated green vegetable drink, including
wheat grass, barley grass, kamut grass, oat grass, alfalfa,
cracked cell chlorella, kelp, broccoli, spinach, parsley,
dandelion greens, kale, cabbage, sea vegetables, digestive
enzymes and acidophilus. You can either purchase this in
a ready to mix drink formula, or juice your own vegetables,
or take them dried in a tablet or capsule. Very often symptoms
of gout disappear with only this product, and a sensible
change in diet. The action of these is to quickly de-acidify
the body and help cleanse the blood, and by doing this,
should help relieve the pain and start to clear up the gout
problem.
B Complex
for handling stress and lowering the accompanying
acid buildup. A good B complex includes folic acid which
is very important in inhibiting xanthis oxidase which is
required for uric acid production.
Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (Fish, Evening Primrose
or Flax Oils) Take 1 capsule or spoonful at the
beginning of each meal. Omega oils are well documented for
their ability to reduce swelling and inflammation, particularly
in the joints. It also helps to lubricate the joints and
aid mobility.
Turmeric
is very useful as a potent anti-inflammatory and
has activity that is comparable to steroidal and nonsteroidal
drugs. It consists of dried as well as fresh rhizomes of
a plant known as Curcuma longa. It has been used for centuries
in the Indian traditional system of medicine, as a spice
and a natural food colour. Turmeric has been used internally
as a stomach tonic and a blood purifier and externally for
the treatment of skin diseases and wound healing. Curcuminoids,
the active ingredient present in the turmeric is responsible
for the biological activities of turmeric. It has been reported
to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant,
anti-allergic, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor activity. It
fights free radical formations in food and body tissues
and helps to prevent/ retard various cardio-vascular, viral
and other chronic diseases like arthritis by neutralizing
existing free radicals.
Celery Seed
Extract is most commonly taken to aid in the maintenance
of healthy joints, ease discomfort from inflammation, and
break down uric acid crystal buildup. It also has an antiseptic
property that is useful for the urinary tract and helps
relieve fluid retention.
Water
- Please drink plenty of fluids! In order for the herbs
to work properly and flush the contaminants out of your
body it is imperative that you consume at least 8 to 10
glasses of purified water per day, or celery juice or un-sweetened
fruit juice (no cranberry). You need to keep your body hydrated
to expel the uric acid!
*Keep NUCLEIC ACID
content low
*STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR AND FAT!!!
NOTE:
The above is not listed as a cure for this condition; it
may only help in case nutritional deficiencies are part
of the problem
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