GOUT
By Jim Sayih
Gout affects men over the age 40. About one million people suffer from gout. It also is another form of inflammatory arthritis, usually first appearing in the first metatarsal joint of the great toe. It is accompanied by pain, swelling and inflammation of the joint, making walking and standing extremely painful. The inflamed area is usually reddish-purple, shiny and dried out. Inside the joint are uric acid crystals which can be aspirated (painfully) to confirm the diagnosis. Other common sites where gout either first shows up or advances to are the joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles and knees. In fact, gout can even show up in the earlobes, causing what is called ‘tophi’ (bumps), or tophaceous deposits, which are more amorphous globs of cellular debris encased with uric acid crystals. Not only are the joints sore with gout, but even the skin gets sensitive – so sensitive, in fact, that many gouts sufferers cannot tolerate a bed sheet over their painful joints. Other somewhat common sites of first occurrence include the hand, elbow or knee.
A metabolic accumulation of uric acid is both the cause and accelerator of gout. Various reasons may cause it to flare up such as lifestyle and environmental factors including alcohol, dehydration from excessive heat, smoking, or more direct causes such as taking diuretics, or after chemotherapy, when cellular destruction by prescribed toxic agents causes the level of uric to rise. When the kidney gets overloaded by the high levels of uric acid the blood levels go up and uric acid starts entering the tissues and joints. Not only is further kidney damage caused, but also stones may be formed and then further pain results.
Your doctor can help assess your risk of developing gout and treat it if it occur. Gout, like other forms of arthritis, causes joint destruction.
Strategies include:
DIET
ANTIOXIDANTS
To prevent a strong defense against inflammation, consume a daily dose of a good antioxidant formula. A mass of evidence proves that the chemicals in fruits & vegetables truly allow people to live longer, healthier lives. The powerful molecules locked in fruits, vegetables and other nutrient-rich plant foods and herbs are called phytochemicals (from the Greek ‘phyto’ for plants). Phytochemicals have been proven to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure, joint mobility, vision, memory and prostate function. Yet nine of ten people simply don’t eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables to get all of the powerful benefits from phytochemicals that they should. Phytochemicals are neither vitamins nor minerals but are equally, if not more powerful, in the health benefits that they offer. Supplements cannot take the place of a good diet, but they can help to make up for a poor diet. In addition, antioxidants, whose job it is to scavenge harmful free radicals, work better together than separately.
Nutrient Daily Recommended Amount
Vitamins
A (beta-carotene) 10,000 IU
E (D-alpha tocopherol) 200 IU
C 500 mg
Zinc (picolinate) 15 mg
Maganese 15 mg
B-2 (riboflavin) 6 mg
Selenium (L-selenomethionine) 200 mcg
N-acetylcysteine 100 mg
Grapeseed extract 10 mg
Green tea extract 100 mg
Garlic extract 100 mg
Ginger root extract 100 mg
Curcuma root extract (turmeric) 50 mg
Cabbage extract 100 mg
If left uncontrolled, gout can cause kidney disease, high blood pressure and joint deformity.
Avoid aspirin if you’re suffering from gout. Aspirin can actually slow the body’s excretion of uric acid.
Another condition similar to gout is pseudogout. In this case, the cause is not uric acid. The villain is calcium pyrophosphate that it gets into and around the cartilage of the joint, causing its own brand of havoc. Pseudogout can mimic gout, presenting all of the same symptoms. Don’t let the name mislead you. Pseudogout is not a less painful condition.
Now before you begin exercising, consult with a certified fitness trainer how to begin a progressive training routine. Combine the exercise with eating properly and you are well on your way to managing gout, thus improving your quality of life.