Staying Pain-Free with Gout

Gout is an extremely painful inflammation of the joints caused by a buildup of needle-sharp uric-acid crystals. If you’re prone to gout, the foods you eat — and don’t eat — play a key role in keeping your joints pain-free.

You can reduce your risk of another gout attack by following these guidelines:

Supplements

• B complex 100 mg per day
  
• Black Cherry Juice
• Vitamin C 3000 mg per day
• Bromelain 500 mg twice daily
• Stinging nettle or horsetail (tea or supplement) 3 times daily to remove uric acid from joints.
  

Avoid alcohol: Cut down alcohol intake drastically. If necessary, avoid all alcohol or restrict drinking to less than two drinks a day.

Avoid gorging: Avoid rich, heavy meals which contain lots of fat and purines.

Avoid purines: Avoid high-purine foods such as liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, sardines, anchovies, fish roes (eggs and caviar) and meat extracts.

Drink water: Drink six or more glasses of water throughout the day
and a glass at night before going to bed to help the kidneys excrete
uric acid.

Go easy on caffeinated drinks: Don't overdo tea and coffee drinking
and switch to rooibos tea if you find your joints start aching after a
coffee/tea binge.

By Michelle Pascal, Registered Holistic Nutritionist