What is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis, affecting the joints in the foot, mainly the toes. It can also affect wrist, hands, elbows, or knees. It can be very painful and can cause swelling and redness over the affected area. This can flare periodically, and flares can last 5-7 days on average. Gout is caused by the production of uric acid, which can form crystals around you joints, causing the pain and swelling. Uric acid is normally produced by the body and is dealt with easily and passed out in the urine and faeces but for some, there can be periods of time when the uric acid builds up and the kidneys do not deal with it effectively, leaving blood levels to rise.
Gout is known as a symptom of opulence, linked to excess alcohol and consumption of rich food. Whilst diet and lifestyle does play a crucial role, there are many other factors which make you more likely to suffer from it, such as genetics, being overweight, mediations, diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Like most ill-health, stress can also contribute.
What are symptoms of gout?
Symptoms can include any of the following:
- severe pain in one or more joints.
- the joint feeling hot and very tender.
- swelling in and around the affected joint.
- red, shiny skin over the affected joint.
Will gout go away on its own?
What is a naturopathic approach to gout?
A naturopathic approach focuses on changing diet and lifestyle and dealing with associated health issues, such as weight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and inflammation. Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, also increases your risk of gout, so it is very important to address these conditions individually. Women are also more likely to suffer from gout after menopause, when the body is more insulin resistant.
How do you diagnose Gout?
Gout is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, patient history, and specific tests that help confirm the presence of uric acid crystals in the joints. Here are the common methods used to diagnose gout:
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Physical Examination: A healthcare provider will typically evaluate symptoms like sudden, severe joint pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness, which are characteristic of gout, particularly in the big toe or other joints.
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Joint Fluid Test: The most definitive test for gout involves withdrawing fluid from the affected joint (a procedure called arthrocentesis) and examining it under a microscope to detect uric acid crystals. The presence of these crystals confirms a diagnosis of gout.
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Blood Tests: Blood tests can measure levels of uric acid in the blood, although elevated levels alone don’t necessarily confirm gout. Some people can have high uric acid without experiencing symptoms, while others may have normal levels during an acute attack.
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Imaging: X-rays, ultrasound, or dual-energy CT scans may be used to detect urate crystals in the joints or soft tissues, or to assess joint damage in more advanced cases of chronic gout.
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Medical History: A review of the patient’s medical history, including past joint issues, lifestyle factors (such as diet and alcohol use), and family history of gout, can also help support a diagnosis.
Early and accurate diagnosis of gout is crucial to managing the condition and preventing long-term joint damage. If you experience sudden, intense joint pain, it's important to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.
Are gout and kidney stones related?
What is the right diet for gout?
Changes in diet will not assist with gout alone and attention should also be paid to the other contributory factors of the disease.
There are some foods, known as purines, which can cause the body to produce more uric acid. Purines are found in many foods, and they are not a problem for most of us. However, if you are more susceptible to a build-up of uric acid, the first thing to avoid is foods high in purine. The most common culprits tend to be things like offal, wild game, high fat red meats, turkey, and high fat dairy, but also some fish, such as sardines, cod, trout, scallops, tuna, herring, mussels, yeast and beer. Not all high purine foods affect everyone with gout. It is also important to avoid alcohol.
Improving overall diet is also key, avoiding highly processed foods, high sugar foods and yeast. High sugar diets, which is so common in our western diets, also increases uric acid. It is important to move to a diet of real food, avoiding processed foods and increasing antioxidant-rich foods and fibre will help lower uric acid.
- Celery, either fresh or in its supplement form, celery seed extract, has been shown to help reduce uric acid build up. You also can juice celery and drink this daily.
- Like celery, cherry Juice, especially black cherry juice, has also been shown to help reduce the build-up of uric acid and it also helps reduce the inflammation associated with this build up. Berries also have similar properties but not as potent. Be careful with high fructose fruits or foods high in fructose as this can make gout worse.
- Add lots of antioxidant-rich foods into the diet as well as high fibre, which all helps lower uric acid.
- Hydration is also important especially when experiencing a flare as this will help the kidneys release excess fluids and reduce flush out the uric acid. Some people recommend drinking water with lemon juice. Others recommend coffee, as caffeine has also been shown to reduce uric acid, however caffeine is a diuretic that increases your need stay hydrated.
What are key supplements and herbs to help with gout?
Celery Seed Extract
Celery has an alkalising effect on the kidneys and can help reduce uric acid build up.
Cherry Juice Extract
Especially black cherry juice, is high in proanthocyanins and has also been shown to help reduce the build-up of uric acid and it also helps reduce the inflammation associated with this build up.
Omega 3
Omega 3 from fish oils or krill is as a powerful anti-inflammatory perfect for those with any inflammatory condition. Omega 3 has many health benefits ranging from heart health, joint health, brain health and more.
Curcumin
For pain and anti-inflammatory properties also increases SOD and glutathione peroxidase activity and modify eicosanoid synthesis.
Bromelain
Found in most pineapples and one of the key ingredients in digestive enzyme supplements, has been shown to help decrease uric acid as well as lower inflammation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C reduces overall inflammation. Sufferers of Gout should not take more than 3g per day as this can increase uric acid in some cases. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and helps protect our cells from the effects of free radicals. It plays a key role in the production of white blood cells (our protection against infection) and once these white blood cells are formed, it helps to protect them from damage. We also see more need for vitamin C when we smoke, have high stress, fight infection, have high inflammation or have a more toxic environment and lifestyle.
All recommendations are intended for informational and educational purposes only. The information and recommendations provided are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice from your GP.
