Originally published November 20 2012
Beat gout naturally
by Dr. David Jockers
(NaturalNews) Gout is a disease in which uric acid levels accumulate and cause massive damage and swelling to various joints of the body. The uric acid is caused by poor dietary habits and metabolic stress. Specific lifestyle strategies can help reduce the symptoms of gout and restore proper metabolic function to beat gout naturally.
When uric acid accumulates, it forms crystals called urates which are sharp and penetrate and irritate the joints. The most common areas to be effected by urates are the big toe, feet, ankles, wrists, knees and elbows. This can be extremely painful and most physicians are unable to treat it effectively without dangerous medications.
Uric acid forms from two major biochemical patterns. The most commonly discussed with doctors who treat individuals with gout is purine metabolism. Purines are molecules that are formed by a grouping of nucleic acids. They are prevalent in foods such as red meat and organ meats along with seafood and alcohol. Organ meats such as kidney and liver contain the most purines by far.
Gout and fructose metabolism
Recent research has linked gout formation with elevated fructose consumption. This second biochemical pathway indicated that fructose triggers the body's production of uric acid from an important energy molecule adenosine triphosphate.
In New Zealand, the Maori people rarely encountered gout. Now, 10 to 15 percent of their population has gout symptoms in their lifetime. Seafood seems to be the major trigger for these Pacific islanders; however, they have always eaten a lot of seafood. These people eat 50 times more sugar and fructose (much like typical Americans) than they did 100 years ago.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrated that individuals who drink one fructose-rich beverage a day are 74 percent more likely to develop gout than those who drink the same beverage once per month. Individuals who drank two or more fructose sweetened beverages are 97 percent more likely to develop the disease.
Fructose is a form of sugar molecule that is most often found in corn, fruit and many plant based sweeteners such as agave nectar and honey. It is important to reduce fructose consumption by avoiding anything with high fructose corn syrup and minimizing the consumption of fruit juices, agave nectar and honey. Minimize the use of all fruit other than low fructose fruits such as berries, avocados, lemons, limes and grapefruit.
The typical diet for individuals with gout should be low in sugar and grains. Instead, focus on anti-oxidant rich vegetables and healthy fat sources. The best fat/protein sources include coconut products, avocados, extra-virgin olive oil and sprouted nuts and seeds. Healthy protein sources include 100 percent grass-fed beef in moderation, 100 percent raw grass-fed cheese, organic poultry and wild fish.
Individuals with gout do much better when they stick to an 80 percent raw diet. Any cooked food should be reserved for the evening meal. The daytime meals should be liquid; in the form of shakes, cacao avocado mousse and vegetable juices. Salads, guacamole with veggies or raw, sprouted seed crackers are also great. Before eating any cooked food, a digestive enzyme with lipase, protease and amylase should be used to enhance digestion. Lots of clean water should be consumed during the day and intermittent fasting for periods of 16-24 hours is encouraged to help detoxify the kidneys, liver and colon.
Individuals with gout should use apple cider vinegar and fresh squeezed lemon on salads, grains and meat. This helps provide organic acids and more enzymes and anti-oxidants to help pre-digest the meal. Fermented foods such as non-processed sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, amasai, and coconut kefir are very helpful.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027950_gout_natural_remedies.html
http://www.sciencenews.org
http://www.naturalnews.com/030401_HFCS_gout.html#ixzz2BORK5yP5
http://biochem.otago.ac.nz/staff-profiles/tony-merriman/gout/
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml