Natural Antibodies and Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that is said to be one of the most painful forms one can ever experience. It begins in the great toe, but can affect any of the joints in the body. This condition stems from an overproduction of uric acid that forms into crystals which deposit into the soft tissues and joints. This can irritate and inflame the joints and cause severe pain and swelling.

What Is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a waste product that helps to break down purines in the blood. Under normal circumstances, your body breaks down the uric acid and flushes it out via the kidneys and urine. There are certain factors such as; heredity, medications, diseases, and being overweight that can predispose you to gout.

When your body cannot break down uric acid, crystals form and deposit inside the joints and the soft tissue near them. The inflammation can cause severe disability during an acute flare and interfere with normal daily tasks including: walking, standing, wearing shoes, and certain movements.

Anti-inflammatory medications such as; Advil or Naproxen Sodium can help relieve the inflammation and pain. There are several home remedies that can also be effective in controlling gout symptoms.

Home Remedies for Gout                                                                           

For centuries, certain herbal substances have been safely used to treat pain and inflammation. These home remedies for gout are all-natural with no reported side-effects or even drug interactions. These remedies may even be in your cabinet ready to use and if not are actually quite inexpensive:

• Cherry – Eating whole cherries or drinking cherry juice can help lower uric acid levels and can relieve the inflammation associated with arthritis. Try drinking cherry juice a few times daily or eat a couple handfuls of cherries as snacks. Not only do they help relieve symptoms, they are very good for your health overall!
• Charcoal/Flaxseed poultice – Take ½ cup activated powdered charcoal and 3 Tbsp. Ground Flaxseed and mix with warm water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the affected joint or tissues and wrap it in a towel or plastic. You can leave this on while you sleep or during the day for 4 hours at a time.

• Cod Liver Oil – If you can tolerate it, try taking 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil by mouth daily. This contains high amounts of vitamin A that helps to flush out uric acid.
• Berries – Increase the amount of fresh berries in your diet. Berries can help reduce uric acid levels in the body and include: strawberries, blueberries, goji berries, raspberries, and blackberries.
• Epsom Salts – Epsom salts are pure magnesium salts. Magnesium helps to relax muscles and relieve inflammation and swelling in the body. You can add a cup or two of Epsom salts to your bathwater or 3 Tbsp. to a pan of hot water for a foot soak.

The decision for treatment is up to you and your personal physician, and it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis before beginning gout treatments. No matter which treatment you use, always include a healthy diet, lifestyle, and exercise to help relieve the symptoms and improve your total body health.