Gout and Alternative Med

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Nutrition http://www.alternativemedicine.com/common/adam/DisplayMonograph.asp?storeID=02AD61F001A74B5887D3BD11F6C28169 & name=ConsConditions_GoutccMaintain a healthy weight. However, it is important to avoid crash dieting and rapid weight loss.Drink plenty of water because dehydration may make gout worse.Restrict purines in your diet. Purines increase lactate production, which competes with uric acid for excretion. Foods with a high purine content include beef, goose, organ meats, sweetbreads, mussels, anchovies, herring, mackerel, and yeast. Foods with a moderate amount of purines include meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish not listed above. Spinach, asparagus, beans, lentils, mushrooms, and dried peas also contain moderate amounts of purines.Do not drink alcohol, especially beer.Cherries—One half pound of cherries per day (fresh or frozen) for two weeks lowers uric acid and prevents attacks. Cherries and other dark red berries (hawthorn berries and blueberries) contain anthocyanidins that increase collagen integrity and decrease inflammation. Cherry juice (8 to 16 oz. per day) is also helpful.Vitamin C—8 g per day can lead to decreased blood uric acid levels. Note that there is a small subset of people with gout who will actually get worse with this level of vitamin C.Folic acid—10 to 75 mg per day inhibits xanthine oxidase, which is required for uric acid production.EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) inhibits pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. Dose is 1,500 mg per day.Niacin—Avoid niacin in doses greater than 50 mg per day. Nicotinic acid may bring on an attack of gout.Vitamin A—There is some concern that elevated retinol levels may play a role in some attacks of gouty arthritis.Herbs Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day.Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) reduces pain and inflammation. Dose is 1 to 2 g three times per day of dried powdered root, 4 to 5 ml three times per day of tincture, or 400 mg three times per day of dry solid extract during attacks.Bromelain (Ananas comosus)—proteolytic enzyme (anti-inflammatory) when taken on an empty stomach. Dose is 125 to 250 mg three times per day during attacks.Homeopathy Some of the most common remedies used for gout are listed below. Usually, the dose is 3 to 5 pellets of a 12X to 30C remedy every one to four hours until your symptoms get better.Aconite for sudden onset of burning pain, anxiety, restlessness, and attacks that come after a shock or injuryBelladonna for intense pain that may be throbbing; pain is made worse by any motion and better by pressure; joint is very hotBryonia for pain made much worse by any kind of motion; pain is better with pressure and with heatColchicum for pains made worse by motion and changes of weather, especially if there is any nausea associated with the attacksLedum when joints become mottled, purple and swollen; pain is much better with cold applications and is worse when overheatedPhysical Medicine Hot and cold compresses—three minutes hot alternated with 30 seconds cold provide pain relief and increase circulation.Bed rest for 24 hours after acute attack. However, prolonged bed rest may make the condition worse.