Gout

My hubby was diagnosed with gout last week. This is his second attack.I have since done some research on how to treat this very painful condition.

First of all, this is a highly hereditary disease. If you have a relative with it you have a 25% or greater chance of developing it yourself. Hubby's father had it as do at least two of his brothers.So does my father, putting me at risk, except that only about 5% of gout patients are female.

Obesity is also a risk factor. Do NOT crash diet, however, as that will trigger an attack.

Gout is a symptom your kidneys aren't working quite right. In Hubby's case, he had Kidney stones a year ago, a gout attack last July, and another last week so I am looking especially hard at kidney health.

#1- Pray. Prayer works because that is how God set up the universe.

#2- Eliminate alcohol, sardines, anchovies, organ meats, and sweet peas from your diet. (Sadly this didn't help us much as we are tea-totalers [well, Coke Cola-totalers] and have never eaten any of the other foods except the peas.

Some resources say to leave off the sodas due to the high mineral content. Some say to drink them because they are high in alkaline content will nutralize the uric acid. Sodas just aren't good for you so I think you should limit them as much as possible (very hard to do in our society).

I know I read many years ago that diet/protein drinks (i.e. slim fast, ensure) cause kidney problems, but I can't find this information now. I would leave these concoctions off anyway. They are mostly oil and sugar, not exactly nutritionally sound "food."

#3-Eat more fruit and veggies. The information they sent home with him says "Vegitarians seldom have gout. Meat eaters who also eat a lot of fruit and veggies are at lower risk." So, I say it's the fruit and veggies that help to prevent it more than abstaining from meat. Both of those groups would eat little white flour or transfats. Anyway, moderation is always good.

#4- Did I mention Pray? It works.

#5- Certain things are known to help the body get rid of the uric acid that causes Gout.

• Celery seed
• Cherries (whole or juice)
• Tumeric
• Bromilain (found in pinapple and also very good for any kind of arthritis or inflamation)

You can get these four in the produce section of your store or you can buy them in capsule form seperatly or together in a product called "Go-Out." Take the Go-Out two capsules, 2-3x/day until the attack is gone and then one daily to keep Gout away.

#6- Additional herbs:

• Milk Thistle (strengthens the Liver which releaves the pressure on the Kindnys allowing them to do their job of removing the Uric acid better)
• Dandylion (helps the urinary tract function better)
• Alfalfa (purifies and strengthens the blood in general)
• Capsicum (makes all other herbs work better and helps the heart)
• Fish oil (Omega 3s help the body get rid of impurities)
• Calcium (reduces stress, actually, which will help inflammation)
• Nettle leaf (Helps build cells and strengthen the blood which carries impurities out of the body.)

I hope this helps someone out there with gout:-)