Gout

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Gout is a complex form of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. These attacks can happen over and over unless gout is treated. In time they can damage joints, tendons, and other tissues. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to gout after menopause.

Symptoms of gout are almost always acute, occurring suddenly; often at night and without warning.

Gout commonly affects the large joint of your big toe, but it can occur in your feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrists. The affected joint or joints become swollen, tender and red.

The pain is likely to be most severe within the first 12 to 24 hours after it begins. After the most severe pain subsides, some joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks. Later attacks are likely to last longer and affect more joints.

Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. When uric acid concentrations are too high, urate crystals accumulate around your joints, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Gout is one of over one hundred forms of arthritis. Fortunately it is highly treatable. In recent years natural remedies for gout have become very popular. The primarily reason for this is that most gout medications have severe side effects and are not safe long term. Natural remedies are safe to take and have no side effects. As an added benefit, most natural treatments contain ingredients that will help improve the bodies overall health.

Gout occurs when levels of uric acid are elevated causing severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation. Needle shaped uric acid crystals stab their way into joints rendering lightning bolts of pain and leading to joint damage.

Obesity and improper diet increase the risk of developing gout. It has been called the rich man`s disease because of its association with overindulgence of rich food and alcohol. Due to a deluge of chemicals that are now in foods and beverages, it now affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. It may be brought on by crash dieting, certain medications, overeating, stress, surgery or injury to a joint.

The best way to get a diagnosis of gout is for a physician to insert a needle into the affected joint, remove some fluid and examine it for uric acid crystals.

It is recommended that when an attack occurs; eat only raw vegetables for two weeks. It is a good idea to eat more of these kinds of foods anyway. Even the sugars in fresh fruits can aggravate the symptoms, so if you do eat some fresh fruit, keep total sugar level below 15-25 grams daily. (See Sugar)

Celery juice is very alkaline, which helps neutralize the uric acid. Dilute it with Distilled Water mixed with ShopFreeMart Hydration Drops, not tap, water. Some claim that eating a cupful of fresh cherries will help stave off painful episodes. Strawberries and blueberries may do the same. Other safe foods during an episode are millet, green vegetables, seeds and sprouted grains.

Foods that are linked to gout which should be avoided are pork and shellfish. Other foods to avoid and discourage another gout flare-up are: meat of any kind, sardines, scallops, shellfish, mushrooms, mussels, peanuts, mackerel, asparagus, alcohol beverages, and diet soda. Condiments such as MSG and artificial sweeteners (aspartame and 50 other names given to this horrible poison) should be strictly avoided. Also limit your intake of caffeine, cauliflower, dried beans and lentils, oatmeal, peas, spinach and yeast products.

Vegetables from the nightshade family are poisonous to everyone, but more especially to people who are prone to gout. These include: Tomatoes. Tomatillos. Eggplant. Potatoes. Goji Berries. Tobacco. Peppers (bell peppers, chili peppers, paprika, tamales, tomatillos, pimentos, cayenne, etc).

At first glance, the nightshades may look like a random collection of foods that couldn’t possibly be related.  However, every nightshade plant contains glycoalkaloids.

Glycoalkaloids are neurotoxins that kill insect predators. They block the enzyme cholinesterase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, a vital neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerve cells and muscle cells. When this important enzyme is blocked, acetylcholine can accumulate and electrically overstimulate muscle cells. This can lead to paralysis, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death to insects. It works on insects the same way Military “nerve gases” work on humans.

What do we know about the effects of glycoalkaloids on human health?

Glycoalkaloids destroy cell membranes. Research has shown that glycoalkaloids can burst open the membranes of red blood cells and mitochondria (our cells’ energy generators).

“Some scientists have wondered whether glycoalkaloids could be one potential cause for “leaky gut” syndromes due to their ability to poke holes in cells: “…glycoalkaloids, normally available while eating potatoes, embed themselves and disrupt epithelial barrier integrity in a dose-dependent fashion in both cell culture models and in sheets of mammalian intestine…animals with the genetic predisposition to develop IBD, demonstrated a greater degree of small intestinal epithelial barrier disruption and inflammation when their epithelium was exposed to the potato glycoalkaloids chaconine and solanine.”

Herbs that are helpful for Gout:

Bilberry extract, turmeric, celery seed, chamomile, lady`s mantle (yarrow), peppermint or skullcap. Prescription for Nutritional Healing recommends 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams daily of alfalfa, a good source of minerals that reduces uric acid. Devil`s claw and yucca can aid in relieving pain. Other herbs to try are birch, burdock, colchicum tincture, hyssop and juniper.

ShopFreeMart has several products that may help reduce uric acid levels:

First of all, dilute the acid by drinking plenty of ShopFreeMart Hydration Drops mixed with distilled water and the effects of the acid are naturally going to be reduced. Magnesium and Boron are both highly alkaline, therefore taking ShopFreeMart Pure Mag Concentrate and D-Cal Boron with make the body less acidic, reducing the symptoms caused by acid in the body.

ShopFreeMart PureGold and Siaga are anti-inflammatory, which may reduce inflammation in the body and also help with pain associated with gout.

In addition to taking ShopFreeMart products, I recommend eating a wholesome diet that includes as much as possible of organically grown fruits and vegetables and also meats if you are not vegetarian.

Breathing Exercises combined with stretching, dancing, yoga, Tai Chi, and aerobics improves oxygenation and circulation which is an essential part of overcoming gout.

Apply an activated charcoal poultice to draw out toxins. Combine 1/2 cup powdered charcoal with 1/4 cup ground flaxseed. Mix in warm water until it becomes a thick paste, apply to the joint, and then wrap securely. Caution, this will stain clothing.

Soak the affected joint for thirty to sixty minutes in a mix of hot water and activated charcoal.

Avoid taking high doses of niacin (over 50 milligrams daily.) Large doses of niacin can cause a buildup of uric acid, triggering gout.

Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines that are found naturally in your body, as well as in certain foods, such as anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms.

People who suffer from gout should avoid pork at all costs. Pigs do not have sweat glands and large amounts of uric acid are stored in their muscles. A person with gout struggles to eliminate the uric acid that their own body produces, without consuming it directly by eating pork. Also avoid shrimp and lobster as they are likely to produce gout as well.

Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes your body either produces too much, or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid.

Patent medicines do not cure gout and lead to other health problems. The best thing to do is eliminate all acid forming foods, drinks, sugars, dairy, and flour products, and eat a minimal amount of meat. The body only needs about two ounces of meat once a week to give you what you need in the way of nutrition from meat.

Aspartame and Sugar are major causes of gout and everyone should avoid these deadly poisons.

Drinking ShopFreeMart Hydration Drops with freshly squeezed lemon juice added helps to dilute uric acid, reducing pain in the joints and muscles and can also help with gout.

Try to make 80% of your diet raw, organic fruits and vegetables.

ShopFreeMart Immunize can help to keep your colon clean Pure Mag Concentrate can help to keep you regular. Also taking a good probiotic is important in preventing gout.

(See Arthritis)

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