How to treat & prevent gout- naturally

2 mins to read

Are you aware of all the lifestyle triggers of gout, and the natural therapies you can use to relieve the pain? Andrew Cate asks the experts and discovers all in his interview with Blackmores naturopath Leanne McLean.

Arthritis, joint, bone & muscle

Andrew Cate: Just as a quick refresher, can you explain why gout occurs?

Leanne McLean: Gout is with a form of arthritis associated with high levels of uric acid in the blood.

A gout attack occurs when excess uric acid is deposited, in the form of sharp crystals, in the joint space, most commonly the joint of the big toe. Symptoms include intense pain and redness, swelling and restriction of joint movement.

Initially, attacks may take place months or even years apart. As they increase in frequency, permanent joint changes may occur.

AC: What are some of the most common triggers of gout?

LM: Being overweight, drinking alcohol (especially beer) and a high purine diet are all common triggers of gout attacks.

Purines are a natural substances found in most foods, although they tend to be more concentrated in high protein foods.
The risk for gout increases with age and gout is more common in men than in women.

Certain medications, including some diuretics, may also trigger gout. It is important to discuss this with a doctor or health care professional if you believe that medication you are taking is making your gout worse.

Most gout attacks occur at night, possibly because water is reabsorbed from the joint space. It may also occur due to the drop in temperature that usually occurs at night as uric acid crystals are less soluble at temperatures below 37 degrees C.

AC: Why is gout is more common in men?

LM: This could be due to the presence of higher oestrogen levels in women.

Oestrogen increases excretion of uric acid. Gout which does affect women tends to occur after menopause. This could be due to falling oestrogen levels which lead to more uric acid in the blood.

AC: Can you suggest 5 things someone could do to treat gout flare up?

LM:

Up your intake of cherries and berries. Several cups a day can assist in relieving a flare up. Cherry consumption has been shown to lower plasma uric acid.
Avoid alcohol, especially beer and red wine which are higher in purines than spirits.
Avoid high purine foods such as meats, organ meats and seafood.
Herbs such as willow bark, ginger, celery seed, and devil's claw may help to reduce inflammation and pain. A naturopath or herbalist can dispense tailor-made herbal tonics to be used during acute gout attacks.
Applying ice packs to the area can be useful for reducing pain during acute attacks.

AC: Can you suggest 5 things someone could do to prevent gout?

LM:

Eat a wide variety of vegetables, especially bitter leafy greens to enhance digestion (such as rocket), and foods rich in vitamin C, such as kiwi fruit, mangoes, and guava.
Include cherries and any red-blue berries in your diet.
Cut back on meats. If you are prone to gout, avoid seafood, organ meats and processed meats.
Restrict alcohol (especially beer) consumption.
Maintain a healthy body weight by maintaining adequate activity levels. A lower BMI is associated with a lower risk of gout. If you need to lose weight, make sure your weight loss is gradual, as sudden weight loss can increase uric acid levels.

Want more information on how to get relief from gout? Ask our naturopaths.

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