How to treat Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that affects the big toe, other peripheral joints, tendons and kidneys. The first sign of an attack of gout is acute needle-like pain caused from uric acid crystals poking into the surrounding tissues which turns the joint bright red. Generalized fever may result. Gout happens from either overproduction or under-processing of uric acid, which allows it to build up in the blood, tissues, and urine. Uric acid is a waste by-product of protein breakdown. In most cases the digestive tract is not producing enough uricase, a digestive enzyme responsible for the breakdown (oxidation) of uric acid.

Statistics, Symptoms and Triggers:

Ninety percent of gout cases occur in overweight men over the age of 35. Gout, often called "rich man's disease", usually runs in the family. It may also be associated with improper digestion, toxic bowels, kidney stones, atherosclerosis, overeating of rich and fatty foods, drinking too much alcohol, crash diets, stress, certain medications (blood pressure, chemotherapy and antibiotics), yeast infections, surgery or injury to the joints.

Diagnosis:

Gout is diagnosed in the medical profession by symptom and/or by inserting a needle into the joint to extract a small amount of joint fluid, which is then examined microscopically for the uric acid crystals.

Avoid These Foods:

During an active bout of gout, dissolve and process uric acid crystals by avoiding the following high purine-containing foods*:

·         Alcohol (except rum/vodka)	·         Kidney
·         Anchovies	·         Liver
·         Apples	·         Lobster
·         Apple Cider	·         Meat Stock
·         Aspirin (causes crystals)	·         Organ Meats (All types)
·         Beef	·         Peanuts
·         Beer	·         Pies
·         Brains	·         Pop (Fruit-flavored)
·         Brewer's Yeast	·         Raisins
·         Chocolate	·         Rhubarb
·         Crab	·         Sardines
·         Cranberry Juice	·         Squab
·         Dark Grapes	·         Tomatoes(fresh/can/juice)
·         Fresh Fruit (Except those listed in Eat More Of table)	·         Turkey
·         Glycine supplements**	·         Veal
·         Hot Dogs	·         Whole Wheat Cereals
·         Jams/Jellies	·         Whole Wheat Bread

*Purine is one of four basic building blocks that combine in various ways and amounts to make up amino acids which are the building blocks of protein.

**Glycine supplements convert to Uric Acid.

Use These Foods in Moderation:

·         Asparagus	·         Mushrooms
·         Broccoli	·         Onions
·         Brussels Sprouts	·         Peas
·         Dried Beans	·         Radishes
·         Lentils	·         Spinach
·         Lima Beans

Eat More of These Foods:

·         Apricots	·         Ham (Lean)
·         Bacon, fried crisp	·         Iced Tea
·         Bananas	·         Jell-O (No Strawberry)
·         Beef (2x/week only)	·         Kava Coffee
·         Bread (White or Rye)	·         Lemonade
·         Chicken	·         Lettuce
·         Buttermilk	·         Nuts (No Peanuts)
·         Cantaloupe	·         Oranges
·         Carrots	·         Peaches
·         Celery/Celery Juice	·         Pears
·         Cereals, Not Wh. Wheat	·         Pineapple (Canned only)
·         Cheese	·         Plums, any color
·         Cherries (juice or eating)	·         Pop (except fruit flavors)
·         Chicken Soup	·         Pork
·         Comfrey Tea	·         Postum (Barley Drink)
·         Corn	·         Potatoes (white or sweet)
·         Cottage Cheese	·         Rice
·         Custard	·         Rum
·         Eggs	·         Sanalac (Beverage)
·         Fish	·         Strawberries
·         Grapefruit	·         Vodka
·         Green Beans	·         Watermelon
·         Green Grapes

In general:

	·         Most cases of gout can be treated with diet alone.
	·         Do not add extra salt to food at this time.
	·         Drink lots of distilled water.
	·         Eat 75% raw whole foods for one month to balance uric acid formation.
	·         Eat high potassium foods to put acid crystals back into solution so they can be eliminated.
	·         Reduce sugars, rich gravies, caffeine, fried foods and saturated fats.
	·         Start a weight loss program (not a crash diet).
	·         Apply plantain, ginger, fresh comfrey or a poultice of cayenne and wintergreen oil to the inflamed area to help alleviate pain.

Potassium Broth

(essential for alkalizing the body)

·         2 large potatoes, chopped or sliced to approx. 1/2 inch pieces

·         1 cup carrots, shredded or sliced

·         1 cup celery, chopped or shredded, leaves and all

·         1 cup any other available vegetables (beet tops, kale, turnip tops, parsley, onion, zucchini, etc.)

·         Add some fresh herbs such as sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, etc.

·         And a touch of cayenne or a couple beef bullion cubes for flavor.

·         1 1/2 quarts water

Cover and cook slowly for about 1/2 hour. Strain, cool until just warm and serve. If not used immediately, keep in refrigerator and warm up before serving. Compost the vegetables or give them to your pets. Great for alkalizing your body and is super mineral rich.

Drink 8 oz. broth as a hot drink two times daily. Makes about 3 servings.

Foods that are extremely beneficial for gout prevention:

• Purified water (dissolves toxins).  
• Celery (renews joints, bones, arteries, all connective tissue; clears digestive.  
• fermentation, which causes dampness and acidic blood, (according to Chinese
  medicine).  
• Tomato: After digestion, it alkalizes the blood and is good for treating acid
  blood condition of gout.  
• Seaweed.  
• Cherries, strawberries, blueberries and other red-blue berries.  
• Lots of vegetables, especially kale, cabbage, parsley, and other green, leafy vegetables. 
• Bananas.

Foods to Avoid:

• Rich foods.  
• Greasy, oily foods.  
• Red meat and meat extracts such as bouillon and gravies.  
• Organ meats such as liver, kidney.  
• Coffee, sugar and white-flour products.  
• Refined sugar and other concentrated sweeteners.  
• Alcohol, coffee, tea, cola drinks.  
• Sweetbreads.  
• Refined carbohydrates.  
• Yeast products.  
• Spices.  
• Shell fish, poultry, preserved fish such as sardines, herring and anchovies.  
• Dried beans and peas.  
• Foods that contain additives such as MSG (found even in Worcestershire sauce).