Gout is a kind of arthritis caused by excessive uric acid buildup in the joints. Uric acid is a substance that forms when the body breaks down a substance called purine. This substance normally dissolves in your blood and passes through the kidneys into urine. In people with gout, uric acid builds up and forms sharp crystals that can collect around the joints, causing excruciating pain.
Gout is often called a rich man’s disease since it is often associated with rich food and alcohol. In fact, it affects people from all walks of life, most commonly men between the ages of 40-50. It may be brought on by crash dieting, drinking, certain medication, overeating, stress, surgery or joint injury. Approximately 90% of the people who suffer from gout are male. Uric acid kidney stones may be a related problem
Possible signs and symptoms
Inflammation, swelling and tenderness in the joint of the first toe. Touching or moving it is intensely painful.
Applied nutrition
- Achieve and maintain an idea body mass.
- Eat fresh, unrefined and unprocessed foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soy, beans, seeds, nuts olive oil and cold-water fish (salmon, tuna and halibut).
- Avoid purine-containing foods such as organ meats, shellfish, yeasts (beer, bread, baked foods), anchovies, sardines, herring and mackerel.
- Avoid alcohol, animal fats, red meat and poultry, sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk foods and caffeine.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of purified water daily.
| Supplement | Benefit | Suggested Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Reduces uric acid production | 1 scoop
, 2x daily |
| Omega 3 | Repairs tissues, aids healing and restores proper fatty acid balance. An excess of saturated fats often underlies this disorder | 2 tabs, 2x daily |
| Vitamin C + bioflavonoids | Lowers serum uric acid levels; controls inflammation | 3 tabs, 3x daily |
| B Complex | Needed for proper digestion and all bodily enzyme functions. B5 also reduces stress | 2 tabs, 3x daily |
| Selenium E | Improves circulation (to flush acids out and repair affected areas) | 1 tab, 1x daily |
| Calcium + magnesium | Reduces pain and stress caused by this disorder, helps sleep | 2 tabs, 3x daily |
| Glucosamine | Repairs joint tissue. Has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties | 3 tabs, 3x daily |