Gout is an ancient disease that dates back to medieval times back when Henry VIII was the king of England. Sadly, the disease still exists up to this day and still causes agonizing pain to those who suffer from it. Gout is a severe case of arthritis that happens because of the creation of crystals around joints because of excess uric acid.
On the other hand, uric acid build-ups are caused by high levels of purine that is linked directly to a lush and unhealthy lifestyle. If you suffer from gout, here are some ways to deal with the high purine levels in your body.
1. Foods and drinks
High purine levels are linked to the foods and drinks we eat and drink. For example, refined carbs, yeast, meat, and fructose are known to cause high purine intake. You should avoid eating seafood like mussels, anchovies, sardines, and organ meats like kidneys and liver. When it comes to drinks, make sure to limit or avoid drinking beer, sodas, and fruit juices.
2. Mix healthier foods into your diet
Natural foods like cherries can counteract the effects of gout because they are rich in anthocyanins and antioxidants that help you reduce inflammation. When it comes to getting rid of uric acid, bananas and apples are on the list of foods that you should eat more because the potassium in the bananas liquefies the crystals and sends them off, while apples contain malic acid that neutralizes the uric acid.
3. Alternative remedies
You can try some home remedies to deal with gout (in addition to healthy foods of course). You can prevent inflammation with powdered or liquid ginger root, while you can relieve pain with watered-down apple cider vinegar (the acidity is the one responsible for this soothing property).
You can also reduce uric acid levels with active charcoal and baking soda. All you need to do is mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water, and the latter by applying a paste made out of a water and charcoal blend to the gout-infected area in a bath or in a lotion form.
The easiest method demands the use of water. All you have to do is drink water well to hydrate your body so that the kidneys can process uric acid and send it off through urine. If you suffer from painful gout symptoms, then dip the painful areas in cold water, but go easy on yourself with this treatment because if you abuse it, then you’ll be promoting uric acid crystallization and make things even worse than they already are.
The best way to combat gout is to consult a doctor because only they can tell which treatment is more effective and which one suits your condition the best.
