Gout

a naturopathic prescription for the signs and symptoms

• "Got gout? Eat more cherries!" That was the wording of a sign on my practice window, when a very obese man, smoking and reeking of booze called in from the pub opposite and asked "Yeah? Is that all I gotta do?". "That, and a few other things" I replied.
• Gout is 20 times higher in incidence in men (especially middle aged men) than women. Obesity increases the risk.
• Not only are the big toes involved, but also any large joint. Also there can be nodules (tophi) in the ear flaps, and the kidneys are implicated.
• The joints become incredibly tender, warm, red and swollen. Gout is a form of arthritis, and involves depositis of uric acid crystals in the affected sites. The uric acid (fomed from purines found in some foods) is normally effectively excreted through the stool and urine.
• So eliminate these foods high in purines: organ meats (kidney, liver, pate, brains); anchovies; sardines; caviar. Restrict these foods moderate in purines: meat, seafood, spinach, legumes. Go easy on the cheese, grain, plums and cranberries. Alcohol (especially beer) should be avoided. Drink plenty of water. More vegetables and fruit, especially cherries will help. Beetroot, lettuce, celery and raw potato juice can be tried.
• The orthodox treatment is a drug callled allopurinol which cannot alleviate acute attacks. Like all drugs it has side-effects. However, even naturopaths recognise that there is no surefire natural therapies treatment, apart from the dietary and lifestyle changes. Herbal treatment can be customised to help. Homoeopathics, if well prescribed, can also help.
• Aspirin and niacin (Vitamin B3) can precipitate gout attacks. Vitamin B12 in high doses should not be taken for those at risk.
• If you have contracted gout, you might possibly consider it a wakeup call for looking after your body in a more healthy way - as many cases involve a long history of poor lifestyle choices. Think of the high living, obese King Henry VIII. But then again, even the healthiest of people can get gout, due to problems with the overproduction and/or excretion of uric acid.
• Select a supplement from the following recommendations for your country (clicking the hyperlink refers you to a suitable supplier). Look for products with the following ingredients: Vitamin C, folic acid, globe artichoke, celery, nettle, birch, turmeric, grapeseed extract, MSM, bromelaine, rye sprouts, quercitin, glycine, orotic acid.

If the gout persists, you need to make an appointment to consult a professional health practitioner.

Naturopaths consider WHY a person has gout and then treat accordingly.

David Wilson, Naturopath

See also Arthritis.

Keep me informed about any news concerning gout.