Natural remedies, which include herbal supplements, are an often-used method for treating gout. Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by increased uric acid levels in your body, and uric acid is a metabolic byproduct of purine breakdown, according to Dr. Joseph Pizzorno Jr., a naturopathic doctor and author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine." Purines are compounds found in certain protein-rich foods such as organ meat and shrimp. Before using herbal supplement to help treat your gout, visit your doctor to discuss risks and possible side effects.
Gout and Health
Gout attacks often occur at night and are limited to just the one joint. Gout is classified as either primary or secondary, depending on the cause of the condition. Primary gout -- gout caused by unknown factors -- is the most common type, accounting for 90 percent of all cases. According to Michael T. Murray, a naturopathic doctor and contributor to the "Textbook of Natural Medicine," approximately 50 percent of gout cases involves the rapid onset of pain in the joint where your big toe attaches to your foot, or your first metatarsophalangeal joint.
Natural Remedies
Natural remedies and herbal supplements are an often safe and effective way to manage your gout and gout-related symptoms. Murray notes that several natural remedies and herbal supplements are especially helpful in treating gout, including cherries and devil's claw, although other remedies, such as burdock, dandelion and juniper may also be beneficial. Celery seed, lady's mantle, peppermint, yucca, birch and hyssop are all herbal supplements recommended by nutrition researcher Phyllis Balch as natural gout treatments.
An Effective Remedy
Cherries are an effective natural remedy for healing gout. Murray states that consuming one-half pound of fresh cherries on a daily basis mat be helpful in reducing your uric acid levels and decreasing your chances of developing gout attacks. Cherries, notes Murray, are a rich source of flavonoids, which give them their color and are responsible for many of their beneficial health effects. Certain flavonoids -- including the flavonoids contained in cherries -- prevent free radical damage via their powerful antioxidant action.
Suggestions
There are many natural methods of treating gout, some of which involve the elimination of certain foods and beverages from your diet, including alcohol and meat, especially organ meat. Meat, notes Balch, contains significant amounts of uric acid, while alcohol boosts your body's production of uric acid and decreases uric acid elimination from your body. Schedule a visit with a naturopathic physician or other health care provider to talk about the treatment strategies that best suit you and your condition.
References
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
- "Textbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D. & Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 2006
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
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