Gout is a disease caused by too much uric acid in the body. It is manifested by severe pain in the joints, most often the one at the base of the big toe. Because diet is the main cause of many disorders and ailments, here are some natural solutions to prevent and treat gout.
The origins of gout
The overabundance of uric acid in the body, causing gout disease, is due to two factors:
1. Overproduction of uric acid by the body.
2. A defect of elimination of uric acid by the body.
When uric acid is produced too much in the body, there comes a point where the elimination capacities of the latter are exceeded. Uric acid has nowhere to escape and its rate increases. It accumulates in the blood and tissues, especially in the kidneys and joints, to hyperuricemia. It then concentrates and forms sodium urate crystals that can cause two pathologies: kidney stones or gout.
Uric acid comes from the consumption of certain foods
Uric acid is primarily a byproduct of the digestion of purine-containing foods. It can also be produced when insulin levels in the blood reach significant levels.
Here are the foods that contain a lot of purines and that are causing the increase in uric acid levels in the body:
∙ The meat
Because animal protein contains large amounts of purines, meat is the main food that causes the body to produce excess amounts of uric acid. Red meat, but also white meat, fish and seafood contain purines that the body transforms into uric acid during digestion.
∙ Legumes
∙ Dried tea leaves
∙ Cocoa
∙ Sugar, refined grains and other foods with a high glycemic index
Researchers have found that sugar consumption increases uric acid production in the body. Rapidly passing into the bloodstream, sugar causes a rapid and significant increase in insulin levels in the blood, which in turn leads to an increase in uric acid production.
∙ Alcohol
Alcohol contains ethanol that elevates uric acid levels in the body. For this reason and all the other harmful effects of alcohol, it is advisable to avoid it
The symptoms of gout
Consuming the foods listed above in large amounts leads to excessive uric acid production. Over time, the body loses its waste disposal capabilities and uric acid accumulates until the symptoms of gout appear.
These include:
- Inflammation
- Acute and sudden pain in the joints, especially those located at the extremities of the limbs, either the hands or the feet
- Swelling associated with redness of the affected areas
- Cold sensation in the affected joints
Prevent and cure gout
To avoid being affected by this disease as well as to treat it, we can not escape a change in our lifestyle, and especially our diet.
The anti-gout diet consists of avoiding as much as possible to consume foods that cause the production of uric acid in the body. It also includes foods that promote the regeneration of the body and the proper functioning of emunctories, bodies responsible for waste disposal.
To treat you:
- Consider becoming vegetarian or at least drastically reducing meat consumption
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Eliminate refined sugar, white bread and high glycemic index foods from your diet
On the other hand, replace all these foods with healthy, quality products that will strengthen your body, help it cleanse, regenerate and function properly.
Add the following foods to your daily menu:
- Fruits and vegetables especially those rich in vitamin C.
- Vegetables and oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as olive oil and avocado.
- Drink enough water to better eliminate waste and toxins.
- Berries such as strawberries, cherries, blackberries and blueberries.
