Gout – a Democratic Disease in Modern America
Moss Greene
April 09, 2007
Gout is no longer the disease of kings and aristocrats like it used to be.
Today gout has become a more democratic illness. In fact, over two million Americans, from all walks of life, suffer from this debilitating painful condition.
How did this happen?
In the modern world we live in just about anyone can overeat and overindulge in "rich" fatty foods and excess alcohol – just like the kings of olden times.
But here's the good news. Modern science now understands the causes of gout, how it can be prevented and what to do for effective natural relief.
Causes of Gout
A tendency towards gout can be hereditary or the result of joint injury, chemotherapy, medications, surgery or even rapid weight loss on a crash diet.
However, foods that cause gout are the main culprits.
Since gout is the result of purines in the body leading to uric acid crystal deposits in the joints, scientists used to think that all purine foods caused gout.
But new research from the Harvard Medical School shows that fatty red meats, certain seafood and all forms of alcohol are the major causes of both gout and flare-ups.
Each daily serving of meat increases gout risk by 21%. And alcohol not only increases levels of uric acid in the blood, it also interferes with uric acid elimination from the body.
Gout Prevention
The best way to prevent the disease is to eat a healthy gout diet. Always take the initial attack as a serious warning signal. If you don't make lifestyle changes, gout flare-ups can eventually become more frequent, more painful and can even be crippling.
Begin by limiting alcohol, particularly beer. Instead, drink 10 to 12 glasses of water a day. Water flushes out uric acid and can provide almost immediate relief.
Next, cut way back on beef, pork, lamb, organ meats and seafood – especially anchovies, sardines, herring and mackerel. The Harvard researchers found that those who ate the most meat and seafood had 50% MORE gout flare-ups.
But chicken caused no problems and those who ate low-fat dairy had 50% LESS flare-ups. Even high purine foods from the list of vegetables, such as asparagus and cauliflower, did NOT increase either the risk or the symptoms of gout.
Natural Gout Pain Relief
Excess weight puts extra stress on joints as well as increasing uric acid. A diet low in fatty meats and high in whole grains, lean chicken, low fat dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables will reduce uric acid levels and help in maintaining optimum weight.
Dr. Hyon Choi, the lead investigator of the Harvard study, also highly recommends supplementing with fish oil for natural gout pain relief. The omega 3 oil from fish has been found to be nature's most potent anti-inflammatory agent for natural pain relief.
"By taking fish oil capsules," Dr. Choi said, ”rather than eating a lot of fish, you can get all of the omega 3 benefits without the problems."
Omega 3 fish oil is also recommended by the American Heart Association to help prevent heart disease – our nation's number one killer.
Today gout has become a more democratic illness. In fact, over two million Americans, from all walks of life, suffer from this debilitating painful condition.
How did this happen?
In the modern world we live in just about anyone can overeat and overindulge in "rich" fatty foods and excess alcohol – just like the kings of olden times.
But here's the good news. Modern science now understands the causes of gout, how it can be prevented and what to do for effective natural relief.
Causes of Gout
A tendency towards gout can be hereditary or the result of joint injury, chemotherapy, medications, surgery or even rapid weight loss on a crash diet.
However, foods that cause gout are the main culprits.
Since gout is the result of purines in the body leading to uric acid crystal deposits in the joints, scientists used to think that all purine foods caused gout.
But new research from the Harvard Medical School shows that fatty red meats, certain seafood and all forms of alcohol are the major causes of both gout and flare-ups.
Each daily serving of meat increases gout risk by 21%. And alcohol not only increases levels of uric acid in the blood, it also interferes with uric acid elimination from the body.
Gout Prevention
The best way to prevent the disease is to eat a healthy gout diet. Always take the initial attack as a serious warning signal. If you don't make lifestyle changes, gout flare-ups can eventually become more frequent, more painful and can even be crippling.
Begin by limiting alcohol, particularly beer. Instead, drink 10 to 12 glasses of water a day. Water flushes out uric acid and can provide almost immediate relief.
Next, cut way back on beef, pork, lamb, organ meats and seafood – especially anchovies, sardines, herring and mackerel. The Harvard researchers found that those who ate the most meat and seafood had 50% MORE gout flare-ups.
But chicken caused no problems and those who ate low-fat dairy had 50% LESS flare-ups. Even high purine foods from the list of vegetables, such as asparagus and cauliflower, did NOT increase either the risk or the symptoms of gout.
Natural Gout Pain Relief
Excess weight puts extra stress on joints as well as increasing uric acid. A diet low in fatty meats and high in whole grains, lean chicken, low fat dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables will reduce uric acid levels and help in maintaining optimum weight.
Dr. Hyon Choi, the lead investigator of the Harvard study, also highly recommends supplementing with fish oil for natural gout pain relief. The omega 3 oil from fish has been found to be nature's most potent anti-inflammatory agent for natural pain relief.
"By taking fish oil capsules," Dr. Choi said, ”rather than eating a lot of fish, you can get all of the omega 3 benefits without the problems."
Omega 3 fish oil is also recommended by the American Heart Association to help prevent heart disease – our nation's number one killer.
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