Cider vinegar, more typically referred to as apple cider vinegar, is made from fermented apples and contains nutrients like pectin and acetic acid. Numerous home remedies are often attributed to cider vinegar, including ones for gout, though there is no medical evidence to prove this. Even so, natural remedy enthusiasts insist that cider vinegar is the cure-all you need to eliminate gout.
Gout and Its Causes
The accumulation of too much uric acid in the body may cause gout. This accumulation occurs when proteins are converted into purines, which eventually form uric acid, according to MayoClinic.com. Uric acid is normally excreted through the urine but can sometimes accumulate and form crystals that settle in the joints, causing inflammation, swelling and pain. Eating foods high in protein like organ meats, gravy, high sodium foods, herring, caffeine, and alcohol may contribute to a high uric acid level, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Function
Cider vinegar may help flush toxins and waste from the body, leading Rebecca Wood, author of "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia," to believe it can also eliminate uric acid. Likewise, Theodore A Baroody, author of "Alkalinize or Die," believes that vinegar can create an alkaline environment in the body, which can prevent uric acid from accumulating in the joints. However, no scientific evidence exists to back up either of these claims.
Application
Drinking cider vinegar for gout is generally not advised since it can burn your throat and esophagus. However, the typical dosage recommended is about 2 tbsp. in 1 cup of water twice a day, according to "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies."
Treating Gout
Standard treatments for gout do not include cider vinegar, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Instead, you may be prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or an ibuprofen to help relieve the pain and tenderness associated with gout. Corticosteroids and colchicine may be prescribed in serious cases or to prevent a recurrence. For the most part, you can relieve the symptoms of gout and prevent it from returning through following a healthy diet low in red meat and high in fiber and also exercising regularly.
References
- "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia"; Rebecca Wood; 1999
- Mayo Clinic: High Uric Acid Level
- "Alkalize or Die"; Theodore A. Baroody, D.C., N.D., Ph.D.; 1991
- "University of Maryland Medical Center"; Gout; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; March 2010
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon, M.S., et al.; 2002
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