Benjamin Franklin included many gout remedies in the writing he produced in his later years. Franklin loved strong drink and red meat. He probably suffered from osteoarthritis rather than gout, however. Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs in the toes, hips, and other joints. This type of arthritis develops when the body converts too much uric acid into uric crystals. The body normally expels this acid through the urination process.
Most doctors will use prescription medicines as the treatment for gout. A medicine called colchicine will help reduce inflammation, swelling and pain caused by sudden gout attacks. The medicine works by decreasing the uric acid crystals built up in the joint. However, the medicine does not reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood stream. Most often the pain usually goes away in about twelve hours of starting the treatment for gout, and is completely relieved by 48 hours. Taking the medicines colchicine, or allopurinol, usually prevents future attacks.
A major change in diet is an important, if not primary, natural medicine for gout. Gout is seriously aggravated by purine foods, and may even be the sole reason for the gout. Some purine foods include organ meat, meat gravy, stock, mussels, herring, anchovies, shellfish, sardines, asparagus, and mushrooms. White flour, spinach, cauliflower, dried beans, poultry, and sugar may also need to be avoided, being somewhat high in purine. Alcohol, especially beer, is very high in purines and must also be avoided, unless you can compensate with drinking much water along with the beverages to keep acid from building up in your system. Replace these foods with fruits, berries, vegetables, whole grains, and especially wheat grass.
Purine rich foods are not the only factor that can contribute to a person developing gout. Obesity causes the body to produce more uric acid. Keep as close as possible to your ideal body weight to further reduce your risk.
The use of cherries in alleviating gout can be traced back to a 1950 study conducted in Texas. 12 patients were observed after they were made to consume about a pound of cherries daily. It was discovered that the level of uric acid in their blood dropped to normal, they became less prone to gout and movement became less painful to them.
There have been concerted efforts in recent times to harmonize natural herbs and plants extracts in order to get rid of the cause of gout, achieve instant relief and permanently cure gout. These efforts gave birth to Goutezol, a produxt now in the market. It is arguably the best cure for gout.
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