Gout

Gout has the dubious honour of being one of the most recorded diseases throughout history. It was known as “the rich man’s disease” because it is associated with drinking alcohol and eating lots of rich foods. Gout attacks are extremely painful and come on suddenly, usually in the joints of the big toe, heel or ankle. These areas may also swell up and become quite red.

The condition is caused by high levels of a metabolic byproduct called uric acid. This forms sharp, jagged crystals when it builds up in the tissues of the body and these damage the area and cause an intense inflammatory response. Contributing factors of a uric acid build-up include high intakes of alcohol, rich foods (such as shellfish, organ meats, sardines, anchovies), dehydration, crash dieting, use of aspirin, niacin or other diseases such as Hypothyroidism, Leukaemia or Lymphoma.

Men are 9 times more likely to suffer a Gout attack than women, especially if their father or brothers have had the condition. People who are overweight and have High Blood Pressure are also at a far greater risk.

There is a lot that can be done for Gout naturally – ask your Naturopath for some diet and lifestyle tips! In addition, Melrose Vitamin C plus Bioflavonoids can help to reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood, Natures Goodness Cherry Juice can help to reduce pain and prevent attacks and Folic acid/Folate can reduce the activity of enzymes in the body that produce uric acid.  Devil’s claw is a good herb to assist in reducing inflammation and dealing with the pain of an attack - this is included in Herbs of Gold Pain Ease. Sour Cherry and Celery seed (Herbs of Gold Gout Relief) may assist the body to get rid of excess levels of uric acid in the urine.

Fish oils, such as Herbs of Gold Omega 3 Concentrate contain high amounts of the Omega 3 fatty acid EPA, which helps to reduce inflammation, swelling and redness. In addition, some people find Schuessler Tissue Salts Ferr Phos (First Aid) highly effective for quick relief.

Updates - 3 November 2014

Flemmig, J et al (2011) ‘Olea europaea leaf (Ph.Eur.) extract as well as several of its isolated phenolics inhibit the gout-related enzyme xanthine oxidase’,   Phytomedicine, Volume 18, Issue 7, pp. 561-566

Olive leaves have long been used as a traditional remedy for gout in Mediterranean countries. Now a scientific study has validated their use. Plant compounds in the olive leaves known as phenolics were shown to inhibit the activity of the enzyme xanthine oxidase. This particular enzyme is known to increase uric acid (which then forms crystals in the joints) and so reducing its actions is likely to help reduce the disease progression in Gout. In some experiments, the olive leaf phenolics even exceeded the activity of drugs commonly for the same effect. Don’t know about you, but I’m persuaded of the wisdom of traditional prescribing…

Vive Health Naturopaths recommend the following products for Gout:

NOTE: Consideration should always be given to individual requirements.  Please consider seeing a qualified practitioner before commencing a new treatment protocol or when combining supplements with pharmaceutical medication.

For more information on Gout or to ask a Qualified Naturopath a question  Click Here.