Nutritional Therapy As A Treatment For Gout


by Mercedes Aspland - Date: 2010-03-04 - Word Count: 740 Share This!

Gout is a condition that usually affects people later in life and there is no medical cure for the condition. For that reason it could be something that could benefit from alternative therapies and it is widely accepted that nutritional therapy could help. In this article we will look at what gout is, what nutritional therapy is and how it can help sufferers of gout.

What is Gout?

Gout is a form or arthritis that usually effect people over the age of 40. It is caused by excessive uric acid in the body that can build up in the joints and cause them to become inflamed. Often it is a hereditary condition but can also be caused by a number of other things particularly diet. In addition it can also be caused by excessive alcohol intake as well as surgery, medications and stress. People who suffer from gout often have severe pain in their lower legs and have difficulty with walking and mobility.

What is Nutritional Therapy?

Nutritional therapy involves a patient working with a therapist very closely to assess the patient's diet. They will look at what you are eating and the vitamins and minerals that this is giving you. Based on this they will be able to see what you are lacking and changes you need to make. Some of the things they will do is advise on dietary changes, things you need to include and things that you should reduce or remove from your diet. In addition they may also recommend a number of nutritional supplements including vitamins and minerals. The idea is that your diet has a significant effect on your health and so by making changes to your diet you can help to improve your overall level of health and this could have an effect on a number of conditions.

Nutritional therapy and Gout

It is widely accepted by the medical profession that gout can not only be affected by your diet but also caused by it. For that reason certain dietary changes are recommended by most doctors in order to help your condition as well as helping you to manage it. Some of the things that may be beneficial for gout include removing alcohol from your diet as well as losing weight and so putting less pressure on your body. In addition to that we have put a list of supplements below that may be recommended by a nutritional therapist.

1. Folic Acid - this is a synthetic form of Folate that is a B vitamin found naturally in green leaved vegetables and citrus fruits. It is thought that taking folic acid can help to reduce the uric acid in your body which could be very beneficial for gout sufferers. It is important to take care with folic acid as in high doses it can put stress on your digestive system. It is also not recommended for pregnant women as well as those that suffer from seizures or liver or kidney disease.

2. Vitamin C - This is also found in green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits and is thought to help increase the urinary excretion of uric acid and so reduce the amount in the blood. Care should be taken though as very large doses could adversely affect the uric acid levels and bring on a severe gout attack.

3. Bromelain - this is an enzyme that is found in pineapple and is thought to be a very effective anti-inflammatory to help with your condition. Note that it is not recommended for those allergic to pineapples, pregnant women, those with high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease. It can also interfere with some medications and can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is also intended for short term use.

4. Quercetin - A bioflavonoid that acts as an antioxidant that is found in onions and it is thought to retrain the enzyme that creates uric acid and some studies have shown it an effective anti-inflammatory.

5. Other supplements - there are a number of other supplements that could be recommended and they include vitamins A and E, Pantothenic acid, Selenium, evening primrose oil, fish oil and aspartic acid.

Conclusion

If you are considering using any of the above remedies for your gout then it is a good idea to consult your doctor. They will also be able to help with dosages, side effects and anything else that you may need to consider. Your doctor will also help by monitoring your condition and advising on any changes required.

Related Tags: gout, alternative therapies, nutritional therapy

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