Home Remedies for Gout

There’s a very good reason why a gout attack feels as though you have sharp shards of crystal embedded in your big toe — and it’s because you do. Uric acid is a substance that forms these crystals when your body becomes saturated. 

Normally, uric acid filters out of your body at the kidneys after chemicals called purines break down from certain foods in your diet. If your kidneys work inefficiently or if uric acid gets bumped down the priority list for kidney processing, uric acid levels can rise. 

When you’re leveled by the sharp, severe pain of a gout attack, contact Hudson Valley Foot Associates for relief. In most cases, we can make you feel better fast. There are also remedies that reduce your risk of gout over the long term. We’ve gathered some of the most effective home remedies for gout in this month’s blog. 

Cherries and cherry juice

For some, the tastiest way of dealing with gout at home is indulging in cherry products, in virtually any form: Fresh juice (though watch for excessive added sugars), extracts, and supplements all seem to provide a way to lower uric acid levels. 

Hydration

The simple way to lower concentrations of any substance in your blood is by increasing water intake. Good body hydration not only dilutes uric acid levels, it helps the kidneys flush uric acid and other waste products out in your urine. 

Alter your pH

Another high school science tidbit tells you that raising alkalinity lowers acidity. If you love dark leafy greens, you have an excuse to binge. Otherwise, most fruits and vegetables fall on the alkaline side, as do legumes, seeds, and some nuts. You can lower your body’s acidity by avoiding dairy products, alcohol, and caffeine.

Inflammation fighters

If you’re in the midst of a gout attack, reach for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen. Acetaminophen has no anti-inflammatory properties, and aspirin can keep uric acid in your body. 

Outside of attacks, add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet, like: 

• Olive oil
• Tomatoes
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Almonds and walnuts
• Fatty fish like salmon and tuna
• Fresh fruits and leafy greens

In general, the Mediterranean diet is rich in anti-inflammatory foods, and many find it to be a delicious way to embody a healthy eating plan. 

Avoid purines

Purines enter your body in certain foods that you eat and then break down into uric acid during digestion. Therefore, eat fewer purines and reduce your uric acid burden. However, note there are some conflicts with beneficial food groups and some high-purine foods. We’re looking at you, spinach — a dark leafy green that’s moderately high in purines. 

Foods very high in purines include: 

• Processed meats, including bacon
• Red meat like beef, pork, and lamb
• Game meats
• Fish and shellfish, including anchovies, mackerel, sardines, and scallops
• Alcohol in general, beer and hard liquor in particular

Minimize these high-purine culprits to reduce your gout risk. You can still enjoy these purine foods in moderation: 

• Wheat bran, wheat germ, and oatmeal
• Dried legumes like beans and peas
• Asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, and spinach
• Fish and seafoods that aren’t very high in purines

In some cases, these foods provide other health benefits that make it worth keeping in your diet. Uric acid levels can also be controlled through prescription medications, giving you some wiggle room for healthful foods with purine content. 

Learn more about gout and how you can avoid it with a visit to the gout specialists at Hudson Valley Foot Associates. We have five locations in the Hudson Valley, so call or click today to request an appointment.