Navigating the symptoms of Gout

Navigating the symptoms of Gout

If you’ve ever experienced gout, you can vouch for how extremely painful the condition can be. For a snapshot on foods to include and foods to avoid while navigating the symptoms of gout, as well as herbs to support the occasional episodes of gout.

For reasons still unknown, men are more predisposed to gout than women, with almost 8 in 10 (79%) of gout sufferers being male[1].

Gout is characterised by sudden attacks of swelling, redness, pain and inflammation in either one or more joints, most commonly the big toe, although other joints in the body may be equally affected including joints of the feet, ankles, knees, wrists and fingers.

What causes gout

Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood, where uric acid crystalises and lodges into joints causing pain. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines from the diet.

Purines are found naturally in certain foods, with the kidneys normally filtering the uric acid by-product. However, people with gout sometimes have a build-up of uric acid in the blood causing swelling and pain, commonly called a gout attack.

A low purine diet may be helpful in treating and preventing gout attacks for those individuals who are susceptible.

Foods to avoid and include

The table below provides a quick overview of foods to include and foods to avoid in a low purine diet.

FOODS TO INCLUDE

Foods to reduce uric acid levels

FOODS TO AVOID

Foods high in purines

Cherries

Red meat

Foods high in vitamin C such as oranges, rockmelon, strawberries and even green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach

Organ meats such as beef, pork (including ham), chicken livers and wild game

Low-fat dairy foods

Certain seafood such as salmon, prawns, lobster, mussels, scallops, sardines and anchovies

Plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and olives

High-yeast foods like bread, cakes, biscuits or vegemite

Eggs (in moderation)

Alcohol, especially beer which is yeast-based

 

A word about cherries

Cherries contain a natural compound called anthocyanins, which display both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that cherry consumption may help reduce uric acid levels, decreasing inflammation and lowering the risk of future gout attacks[2]. If you’re considering cherries, stick to the tart variety, either consuming them fresh or by using a tart cherry juice that is free from sugar from your local health food store.

Herbs of Gold Gout Relief Complex 

You might also consider using specific herbs to help support the occasional episodes of gout.

Herbs of Gold Gout Relief Complex contains the propriety ingredient Ayuric® from the herb Terminalia bellirica and is combined with the traditional herbs Celery and Alfalfa as well as nutrients.

Celery is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to relieve symptoms of occasional episodes of gout and to promote urine output while Terminalia helps relieve inflammation.

Terminalia and Celery are both antioxidants, helping to help reduce free radicals in the body.

 

 

 

[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). Gout. https://aihw.gov.au/report/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/gout

[2] Chen, P. E., Liu, C. Y., Chien, W. H., Chien, C. W., & Tung, T. H. (2019). Effectiveness of cherries in reducing uric acid and gout: a systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine2019.

 

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