Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by having too much uric acid in your blood. If the levels in your blood get too high, the uric acid can actually crystallize in your joints which causes pain and inflammation.
Often people who have gout have attacks of pain and stiffness that happen over and over and can get worse with time. Most medical treatments include steroid shots and prescription medications that are effective short-term but also carry side effects.
If traditional medicine isn’t helping you or you just wish to explore treatments that are more natural, there are options for treating gout with alternative medicine and natural remedies. Read on to learn a few effective options.
Vitamin C Supplements
Vitamin C has been shown to help lower the amount of uric acid in your blood. This prevents the uric acid from crystallizing and can help to prevent and reduce problems with gout. It’s important, though, that you don’t too much as it can have the opposite effect.
Minimize Meat
Eating a diet high in meat, especially organ meats, can cause your uric acid levels to become too high. It’s a good idea to cut back on meats that contribute to this problem. You also need to limit your consumption of sardines and anchovies as they have the same effect.
Bromelain Supplements
Bromelain is a chemical found in pineapples that can be helpful for reducing uric acid in the bloodstream. Taking this supplement daily can help reduce problems with gout.
Eat Cherries
Cherries are high in anti-inflammatory chemicals that can bring relief for arthritis. You need to eat about 20 each day in order to get the benefit. The best types are tart cherries and you can get the benefit from eating them fresh or in the form of juice.
Exercise
Exercise works by helping you to maintain a healthy weight. People who are overweight have a higher risk of developing gout in the first place. Exercise also improves your circulation and reduces the risk of crystals forming a settling in your joints. It also reduces inflammation in your joints.
Water
You’ve probably heard the suggestion to drink water a million times. When it comes to gout, drinking at least eight glasses of water each day will help to reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood and prevent gout.
You should also avoid beverages that are high in sugar and high fructose corn syrup such as soda and fruit juice as these can increase uric acid levels.
