Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe.

Gout — a complex form of arthritis — can affect anyone. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to gout after menopause.

Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a waste product that forms when the body breaks down chemicals in the cells known as purines.

Normally, there is a fine balance between the amount of uric acid that you make, and the amount that your body eliminates via the urine and fecal matter. This job is done by the kidneys which keep the level of uric acid in the blood balanced.

If you produce too much uric acid or excrete too little when you urinate, the uric acid will build up and can cause microscopic crystals to form, usually in a joint or surrounding tissue. The crystals may spill over from the joint cartilage into the joint space where they trigger a reaction from the soft lining (synovium), which produces the intense pain and inflammation. Gout is typically caused by the kidneys not passing out enough uric acid (and the blood level may rise). The uric acid then is deposited elsewhere, and this is usually found in the big toe, and diagnosed as Gout.

The build-up of uric acid in the body may be caused by various factors. Dietary factors that can contribute to the formation of excess uric acid are (but not limited to):

• Consuming soft drinks high in fructose corn syrup. A recent research study found that by having two drinks a day of a sugar-sweetened soft drink increased the risk of developing gout by 85%.
• Alcoholic drinks raise the level of uric acid in the blood by increasing its production in the liver and by reducing how much is passed out in urine. Beer contains significant quantities of purines.
• Certain foods may ‘tip the balance’ to raise your uric acid higher than normal. In particular, eating a lot of chicken, herring, sardines, yeast extracts, or mussels may increase the level of uric acid
• Medical conditions such as hypertension, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease may also contribute to the formation of Gout.
• Foods naturally high in purines include: beef, pork, bacon, lamb, seafood, liver and kidneys.

How to Prevent Gout and or Prevent Future Formation of Uric Acid:

• Vitamin C. Supplements containing vitamin C may reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood. However, vitamin C hasn’t been studied as a treatment for gout (yet). Don’t assume that if a little vitamin C is good for your then taking many pills of Vitamin C is better. 40mg is often recommended by the medical association in the United States, but a safe recommendation is about 1000 mg per day. If you would like more information, talk to your doctor about what a reasonable dose of vitamin C may be for you. You can always increase your vitamin C intake by eating more fruits and vegetables (which are easily digested by the body), especially oranges, red and green bell peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, potatoes, black currants and parsley.
• Consume black cherries and or black cherry juice. Cherries have been associated with lower levels of uric acid in studies, Eating more cherries and other dark-colored fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, purple grapes and raspberries, may be a safe way to supplement your gout treatment, but discuss it with your doctor first.
• Consume celery and or celery juice. Cooling in nature, celery as a food is regarded as a nutritional therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating hot type joint conditions such as gout. Very high in silicon, celery helps renew joints, bones, arteries, and all connective tissues.

Enjoy this Celery Raw Juice for No More Gout!

– Juice two-three stalks of celery

– Juice one green apple

– Juice of one sprig of parsley

Emily Farish (L.Ac., Dipl. Oriental Medicine, NCCAOM and NCBTMB certified) is Atmanjai’s Resident Integrative Medical Practitioner. Her passion is healing – Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbal Treatments. Emily can be contacted for consultations at Atmanjai.