Natural approach to Gout with Cherry Fruit Extract, Botanical extracts, Celery Seed Extract, vitamin C

Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition

Newsletter #127 --- Natural approach to Gout

Gout is a common type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint, leading to sudden intensely painful inflammation.

The joint of the big toe is the most common site to accumulate uric acid crystals. However, gout can also affect the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows. Uric acid crystals can also deposit in tendons, kidneys and other tissues where they cause considerable inflammation and damage. Kidney involvement may result in kidney failure.

The first gout attack usually occurs at night and are usually preceded by a specific event, such as alcohol ingestion, dietary excess, trauma, drugs or surgery. Affected joints tend to swell and can be warm to the touch. The skin around the joint may also take on a deep red or purple hue. People who have had gout for extended periods of time may develop nodules beneath the skin near joints; these are accumulations of uric acid crystals. Attacks can recur in the same joint over weeks, months or years, and repeated bouts of gout can damage the joint.

Etiology

1) Gout has a strong genetic component.

2) The hallmark of gout is elevated uric acid levels in the blood. Uric acid comes from the metabolism of purines, a subclass of proteins. Gout is the result of either over production of uric acid, under excretion of uric acid, or both. Certain substances called leukotrienes are involved in the inflammatory reaction during an attack of gout.

3) Several dietary factors are known to trigger gout, including excess alcohol consumption, high-purine-content foods, refined carbohydrates and excessive calories. Alcohol increases uric acid production by accelerating purine breakdown. Alcohol also reduces uric acid excretion by increasing lactate production which impairs kidney function. Alcohol promotes dehydration. Simple sugars (refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, sucrose, fructose etc.) increase uric acid production.

4) Obesity is associated with an increased rate of gout.

5) Drugs and supplements can increase uric acid levels in the blood- chemotherapy drugs, salicylates (the active component of aspirin), high dosages of vitamin B3 (niacin), excess vitamin C, diuretics, Cyclosporine (prevent rejection of transplanted organs) and Levodopa for Parkinson's disease.

6)Other risk factors include dehydration and acid conditions of the blood that can result from serious infections, surgery or ketogenic weight loss diets (such as Atkins diet)

Natural Approach to gout

General Measures

Eat a low purine diet with low purine Foods like fruit, grains, eggs,milk, nuts, olives,

Avoid high purine foods: such as Anchovies, Herring, Mackerel, Organ meats (brain, kidney, and liver) Roe, Sardines, Yeast (including Baker's and Brewer's) Avoid moderate purine foods such as Asparagus, Fish, Legumes, Meat, Mushrooms, Peas (dried), Shellfish and Spinach

The diet should focus on complex carbohydrates (whole grains) and vegetables rather than on simple sugars, Refined carbohydrates, sucrose (white table sugar) and fructose (the sugar found in fruit juice). Saturated fat intake should be kept to a minimum.

If you are overweight, lose the excess pounds. Weight reduction in obese individuals significantly reduces serum uric acid levels.

Stay well hydrated. Drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water daily to flush uric acid from the system and prevent urate crystal deposition. Dilution of the urine reduces the formation of kidney stones.

Avoid alcohol. Elimination of alcohol is all that is needed to reduce uric acid levels and prevent gouty arthritis in many individuals.

Discontinue or avoid medications that increase uric acid levels.

Cherries, hawthorn berries, blueberries, and other dark red-blue berries are rich sources of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. They are very effective in preventing collagen destruction. Consuming one-half pound of cherries per day for 4 weeks has been shown to be very effective in lowering uric acid levels and preventing attacks of gout.

Supplements

1) Cherry Fruit Extract to inhibit production of uric acid

Cherry Fruit Extract provides a natural source of potent antioxidants. By disarming free radicals, which can damage healthy cells, flavonoids contribute to the integrity of capillaries, collagen structures, eyes, joints, and arteries. Research has shown that anthyocyanins and cyanidin flavonoids present in cherry fruit can positively impact joint health. A recent study found that consumption of sweet cherries promotes optimal pH balance by maintaining healthy uric acid levels. Laboratory findings at Michigan State University suggest that ingesting the equivalent of 20 tart cherries inhibits enzymes called cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, which are the targets of anti-inflammatory drugs, therefore reducing pain related to inflammation, arthritis and gout. A 2006 study in healthy volunteers found that eating about half a pound of cherries per day for four weeks decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a marker of inflammation. Cherry Fruit Extract offers a more convenient and less expensive choice to combat gout and maintain healthy uric acid level.

2) Buffered Vitamin C to increase urinary excretion of uric acid

Study showed that taking lower amounts of vitamin C (500 mg per day) for two months significantly reduced blood levels of uric acid, especially in people whose initial uric acid levels were elevated. Avoid taking large amounts of vitamin C. This could trigger an acute attack of gout by abruptly changing uric acid levels in the body.

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Reference:

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Disclaimer

Dr. Tsang wishes to share his knowledge & Opinion with the public regarding the importance of " Nutritional Supplements ". This is for your information only. Drugs have powerful effects on the body, so please don't abruptly stop taking any prescription medication. Always consult your physician or health care provider before you use any nutritional supplement or switch from drugs to natural health products.

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