Gout
What Is It?
This condition, which is a common form of arthritis in men over the age of 40, is characterised by episodes of extreme pain in joints, particularly the toes.
This condition used to be associated (especially in Victorian times) with elderly gentlemen of affluent means who could afford fine, rich and expensive food and drink in excessive amounts. Particularly associated with port drinkers (although it was not just alcohol, more like the Stilton cheese and meat-rich dinners which preceded it!) and men with ‘portly’ figures.
Cause and Effect
Gout is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the extremities. The body becomes over-acidic and in an effort to safeguard the precious organs from damage, the body ‘parks’ the uric acid in crystal deposits, usually in the ankles, knees, wrists and extremities and sometimes the nose (giving rise to the red and bulbous nose comically portrayed in cartoons as belonging to overweight self-indulgent Victorians).
Elevated uric acid in the body is also associated with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Due to the excessive protein intake and acid-forming foods prevalent in our modern processed and junk food diet, we are seeing gout in younger people, sometimes in their early 20s and 30s. The diagnosis of gout often surprises and astonishes a sufferer, due to its Victorian image.
Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is often useless leaving the sufferer with very little relief from symptoms. However, there are many anecdotal testimonies in favour of lifestyle changes, in particular diet, where arthritic gout has greatly improved and, in many cases, completely reversed the symptoms.
Juice Pharmacy Recommendations
What to Avoid
It should be noted, Niacin supplementation may be harmful to people with gout, as may vitamin A.
Acid-forming foods - The consumption of acid-forming foods such as meat (especially red meat), dairy products, grains, coffee, and alcohol (known to increase the production of uric acid as well as its interference with elimination via the kidneys) can greatly increase the risk of arthritic gout.
Purine - Avoid foods that are high in purine, organ meats, seafood, lentils, beans and peas. In The Healing Nutrients, Eric R Braverman M.D. states: ‘Purines are organic compounds that contribute to uric acid production. Uric acid is the end product in the metabolism of purines normally excreted in the urine - excess blood levels of uric acid are found in gout… Glycine is a non-essential amino acid that can decrease the re-absorption of uric acid by the kidney.’
What to Include
To assist the recovery of gout, juices made from blueberry, cucumber, elderberry, fennel, celery, alfalfa cabbage, kale, beetroot and pineapple can be particularly helpful.
Alkalines - Increased intake of alkaline foods, particularly vegetables and fruits, is known to reduce the symptoms of gout.
Cherry - A 1950 study in Texas supplied 12 gout sufferers with the equivalent of 1lb of cherries or cherry juice each day. They found that in every single case the sufferers’ uric acid levels went down to normal and they did not suffer any more attacks of gouty arthritis. The reason for this is because cherries are loaded with flavonoids, which help to reduce uric acid.
Coconut - Anecdotal evidence has shown that taking a tablespoon of coconut oil three times a day can help reduce the painful symptoms of gout. www.theborneopost.com
Ginger - A study published in Annals of Biological Research in 2011 found that ginger acted as an anti-inflammatory and reduced the symptoms of gout in mice. www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com
Pink Himalayan salt - Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis. Aim to drink two litres of water per day with half a teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt.
Watermelon - Eating watermelon morning and evening will help to flush uric acid out of the body.
The Juice Recipes
Shot: The Ginger Shot - taken from Jason Vale's Super Juice Me! 28-Day Juice Plan
3cm Ginger
1 Small or ½ Large Apple
Simply juice the ingredients and knock back!
Juice: Arthritic Elixir - taken from The Funky Fresh Juice Book
¼ Medium Pineapple
1 Large Handful of Pitted Cherries
2 Celery Stalks
½ Medium Grapefruit
Pack the cherries (with pits removed) tightly into the chute of a juicer, followed by the grapefruit, pineapple and celery. Juice the lot, pour over ice and enjoy.
Disclaimer
Please note, it is impossible to give a definitive list as what supports one person can be a trigger food or allergen for another. You must stay your own juice detective at all times and listen to how your own body responds to certain foods and always consult with your healthcare provider when making changes to your diet which may affect your medication. Please be aware that we are not doctors, so it is important to consult with your GP or medical practitioner BEFORE making any changes to your diet. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, or a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, are provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.