What to Do to Reduce Uric Acid Crystals and Prevent Gout Attacks

Health | Did You Know

What to Do to Reduce Uric Acid Crystals and Prevent Gout Attacks

By Lazova |

Gout is a type of arthritis, characterized by severe pain in a joint, especially the one near the big toe. Gout attacks usually occur at night, accompanied by redness, swelling, and heat on the affected area.

In fact, the pain can be so severe that some people can't even touch the inflamed joint, and something like pulling the bedsheet over the area can be extremely painful.

But, what causes this uncomfortable and painful joint condition, and are you at risk of developing it?

What Causes Gout

Even though gout attacks are triggered by things like excess alcohol intake, crash diet, dehydration, sodas, injury, infection, etc., they aren't usually the culprit of gout. What causes gout is hyperuricemia "“ a buildup of uric acid in the blood.

But, what is uric acid and how it is formed in our body? Well, during the purine metabolism in the body, you get uric acid in the blood as an end result of this natural process. The uric acid is then transported to the kidneys and flushed out as urine.

But, your body could produce more uric acid than others, and this amount can's be fully processed by your kidneys. In that case, uric acid accumulates in the form of crystals around joints, especially the one on the base of the big toe. That's how you develop gout.

How to Treat Gout Naturally

Since uric acid buildup is the main cause of gout, what you should do is reduce it. Chronic gout requires taking certain medications, but you can try treating acute gout attacks as well as aid the treatment of chronic gout with certain diet and lifestyle changes.

Before explaining how to treat your gout naturally, you should know the most common gout triggers. This will help you avoid them, thus prevent future gout attacks.

Gout Triggers

Lifestyle Triggers
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Crash diets and fasting
  • Dehydration
  • Eating plenty of high-purine foods
  • Sweet sodas
Medical triggers
  • Infection
  • Joint injury
  • The drug cyclosporine
  • Sudden, severe illness or surgery
  • Starting treatment for reducing uric acid
  • Taking diuretic medications for edema, hypertension, or heart failure
  • Chemotherapy

How to Reduce Uric Acid

You should make certain diet changes and stay true to them. Generally, you should eat plenty of fresh colorful veggies and fruits, seafood and lean meat, and whole, unenriched, unprocessed grains.

Here are some lifestyle and diet changes you should make to help reduce uric acid crystals in your body, thus treating gout naturally.

  • Limit your alcohol intake
  • Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Reduce foods high in saturated fats from fatty poultry, red meats, and high-fat dairy products
  • Avoid products with high fructose corn syrup
  • Drink plenty of water, as well as sugar-free natural juices and herbal teas
  • Avoid stressful events, and learn what the best way for you to manage stress is. That could be yoga, deep breathing, meditation, listening to music, walks in nature, etc.
  • Reduce foods such as cakes, white bread, and candy
  • Your daily intake of proteins from fish, lean meat, and poultry should be not more than 4 to 6 ounces
  • Vitamin C can help the treatment of gout, so consult your doctor about taking it as a supplement

Tonics to Fight Gout

  • Squeeze 1/2 a lemon into a glass of warm water and drink before breakfast. This morning ritual will increase your body's alkalinity, thus prevent the formation of uric acid crystals
  • Drink a glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before lunch and dinner. Do this on a daily basis to increase the alkalinity of your body, as the malic acid in apple cider vinegar breaks down the uric acid and helps eliminate it from the body
  • Drink a glass of water with 1/2 a teaspoon of baking soda every day. Studies suggest that baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an efficient prophylaxis candidate for the decrease in uric acid levels. So, this drink can help prevent future gout attacks.

Foods to Eat to Treat Gout

  • Devil's Claw's extract "“ thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties proven by the University Hospital of Zurich
  • Parsley "“ studies have found 15 flavonoids which lower uric acid in the body, 2 of which are found in this vegetable. They are quercetin and kaempferol.
  • Flaxseed "“ a Federal Fluminense University lab test showed that flaxseeds help lower serum uric acid
  • Turmeric "“ the active compound curcumin has incredible anti-inflammatory properties and protects the kidney function
  • Pineapple "“ the bromelain it contains have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Grapes, berries, and cherries "“ the Lanzhou Medical College discovered that these fruits contain anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins which provide powerful anti-inflammatory properties

Additional Tips

  • If gout affects the joint near your big toe, rest your foot and soak it in Epsom salt three or more times a week. This should ease the pain and inflammation.
  • Apply cold and hot compresses for 15 minutes each for two to three hours. This treatment will reduce the swelling and pain in your joint.

Home Remedy for Reducing Uric Acid in the Body

Ingredients

  • 1 grapefruit
  • A 2-inch ginger root
  • 1 cucumber
  • A cup of pineapple chunks

Instructions

Blend all ingredients and drink immediately. You can drink this juice every day.

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