GOUT

DESCRIPTION

Gout, a common joint disorder, is one of the most controllable metabolic disorders. Gout occurs when uric acid such as monosodium urate accumulates in the blood. This accumulation is due to the inability of kidneys to process this normal waste product. The dysfunction may be due to excess uric acid in the blood, a disorder of purine metabolism, or decreased kidney efficiency. In either case, uric acid crystals form and then accumulate in body areas where blood flow is too slow or sluggish to remove the crystals. The knuckles, elbows, knees and toes are common places of accumulation. If found between the joints, the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed. Nerve endings then become irritated and this causes extreme pain. There may only be one attack, or several. If the crystals lodge in the kidneys themselves, they can cause partial or complete kidney damage. Furthermore, gout can be a symptom of a more serious underlying disorder.

Males contract the disorder after puberty, females after menopause. It is at these times that uric acid levels increase. If not treated, gout may cause joint deformity. Death may occur from kidney disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, or stroke. Treatments include a change in dietary habits, decrease in ethyl alcohol consumption, and use of diuretics and antibiotics. Aspirin should not be taken since, like alcohol, it inhibits uric acid secretion.

CAUSES

Primary Factor Gout is primarily due to more serum uric acid than the kidney can process, such that elevated levels cause crystals to form.

Predisposing Factors

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS

Most cases of gout are managed by drugs alone. However, an individual may be advised to follow a Low Purine Diet to eliminate any needless increase in uric acid levels, and to increase the efficacy of antigout medication. Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism. The increased uric acid levels found in gout are caused by increased ingestion of purines, or the kidney’s inability to excrete the metabolic waste product. Sodium urates then collect in the joints and tissue, creating inflammation and inducing great pain which resemble that of arthritis. The Low Purine Diet is designed to restrict the intake of purine-rich foods, thereby decreasing uric acid levels and joint inflammation.

Foods to be restricted in a Low Purine Diet:

Care should be taken to include one serving per day in the following category:

• Meat
• Fish
• Milk
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Poultry

Otherwise the diet will be deficient in iron, niacin, and thiamine. The individual is encourage to drink plenty of fluids to help the kidney flush uric acid from the body. The person would benefit by incorporating elements of the Alkaline Ash Diet into the Low Purine Diet.

The Alkaline Ash Diet, composed primarily of fruits and vegetables, increases the alkalinity of the urine. Cranberries, plums, prunes, and corn are excluded from this recommendation because they are acid-forming. Milk and milk products, olives, molasses, chestnuts, almonds and coconuts are all considered alkaline-forming foods.

The serum levels of vitamin B-12, fat, carotene, sodium, potassium, lactose, nitrogen, and cholesterol should be monitored periodically. Supplements should be prescribed if deficiencies arise. In general, antigout drugs decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins; therefore, supplements should be prescribed for the user.

RELATED HEALTH CONDITIONS

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Green Vegetable Drink - A juiced and dehydrated green vegetable drink, including wheat grass, barley grass, kamut grass, oat grass, alfalfa, cracked cell chlorella, kelp, broccoli, spinach, parsley, dandelion greens, kale, cabbage, sea vegetables, digestive enzymes and acidophilus. The two green drinks that appear most effective are: Pure Green Power™ or Essential Green Nutrients™. Very often symptoms of gout disappear with only this product, and a change in diet.
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Multi-Vitamin + Minerals with a full complement of antioxidants. One of the best we have seen is Ocudyne . Both Multi Vi-Min and Ocudyne ar hypoallergenic and yeast free.
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Fiber - with all 5 forms of fiber included - 5 to 10 grams per day. Make sure the fiber has no sugar or sugar substitutes, and if possible is from an organic source.
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Buffered Vitamin C in either powder or capsule form. The beet source of the buffered C is well tolerated by individuals unable to tolerate other sources of vitamin C. It is formulated with carbonates of potassium, calcium and magnesium, giving it an acid-alkaline buffering action (pH 7.0 in water) potentially imparoving bowel tolerance and minimizing hyperacidity. Another deisrable effect of vitamin C is the lowering of serum uric acid. By increasing renal excretion. Suggested Dosage: 2,500 to 4,000 mg divided up during the day.
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B Complex for handling stress and lowering the accompanying acid buildup. A hypoallergenic B Complex that is yeast free A good B complex includes folic acid which is very important in inhibiting xanthis oxidase which is required for uric acid production. Click here for product availability

Vitamin A - Warning: Vitamin A supplementation may be harmful in that elevated retinol (vitamin A) levels may have a role in some cases of attacks of gouty arthritis.

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS - 1 at beginning of each meal. This product should contain at least 5 I.U. of vitamin E per capsule.

Calcium/Magnesium: At least 600 mg of calcium and 400 mg of magnesium daily.

SARSAPARILLA - 1 capsule in the morning, 1 in the evening

WATER - 8 to 10 glasses of purified water

Keep NUCLEIC ACID content low

STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR AND FAT

LOW PROTEIN, HIGH COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATE DIET

All the above quantities are per day unless specified as per meal

NOTE: The above is not listed as a cure for this disease condition, but only as a help in case nutritional deficiencies are part of the problem.