Gout is a type of arthritis that manifests itself as sudden, intense pain, swelling and inflammation in your joints. The big toe joint is the most commonly affected, but gout can strike any joint in your body. Though there are many conventional medications to control gout, they do not always work for everyone and some people also prefer alternative therapies. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are other treatments available, but none have been extensively studied for efficacy and risk.
Coffee
Gout occurs when urate crystal, created by high levels of uric acid in the blood, form around your joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a correlation between drinking coffee and lower levels of uric acid. In a study that appeared in a 2007 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, people who drank at least 4 cups of coffee per day lowered the risk of gout by 40 percent. These results applied to both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. However, no study has been conducted to prove how or why coffee makes these levels lower.
Vitamin C
According to the Mayo Clinic, taking vitamin C supplements can also cut down your levels of uric acid. In a study published in 2009 in Archives of Internal Medicine, the risk for gout fell 17 percent with each 500mg increase of vitamin C. However, there has been no study conducted on vitamin C as a specific cure for gout. It is important to note that if you take massive doses of vitamin C, it may have the opposite effect by increasing the level of uric acid in your blood. Vitamin C can also be derived from eating foods rich in it such as fruit and vegetables. It is important to talk to your doctor before putting yourself on vitamin C.
Cherries
Adding dark-colored fruit such as cherries, raspberries, blackberries and grapes may help you fight gout. Like coffee and vitamin C, lower levels of uric acid have also been tied into eating cherries. In a 1950 study, Dr. Ludwig W. Blau claimed he cured his bout of gout by eating cherries. Cherries are full of nutrients that help stop the breaking down of collagen, which your body uses to form connective tissue. The enzymes in cherries lower uric acid and they also contain anthocyanins, natural antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties.
Tags: uric acid, levels uric, levels uric acid, According Mayo, According Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, acid study