Should You Use Cherries for Gout?

Why Cherries are Vital to Your Gout Treatments Plan

This is the last installment of our Natural Gout Treatments series focusing on fruits and how they treat gout. This gout treatments series started with pineapples and now we are going to finish with the king of therapies for gout and arthritis, cherries.


What makes cherries potent in their ability to get rid of gout?

First up is quercitin. Quercitin helps get rid of gout by preventing swelling. It prevents swelling by inhibiting the release and production of histamine. Histamine causes inflammation. You see this a lot in people with severe allergic reactions. That is one of the reasons why those who have minor allergic reactions are told to use Benadryl, because it is an antihistamine.

There is a total of 3mg of quercitin in sweet cherries with a significant more amount in tart cherries.

You can also take quercitin as a supplement, but do not do this if you are on antibiotics. Make sure you tell your physician if you are taking quercitin so you can avoid any unnecessary complications from antibiotics.

Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are what cause the dark colors in cherries. Anthocyanins are plentiful in cherries. "Twenty cherries provide 25 milligrams of anthocyanins, which help to shut down the enzymes that cause tissue inflammation in the first place, so cherries can prevent and treat many kinds of pain," says Muraleedharan Nair, the lead researcher on the cherry project at Michigan State University. The anthocyanins also may protect artery walls from the damage that leads to plaque build up and heart disease. In fact, the latest research shows that anthocyanins do a better job of protecting arteries than vitamins C and E.

--Wang, H. et al. 1999 Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Anthocyanins and their Alglycon, Cyanid, from Tart Cherries. Journal of Natural Products 62(2): 294-296.


There are approximately 80-300mg of anthocyanins in pitted darker varieties of cherries so you may want to eat darker cherries more frequently than lighter varieties of cherries.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has been a recurring theme in this series as all the foods in that have been mentioned contain Vitamin C. Read about how vitamin C is one of the best treatments for gout and how it is essential to helping you get rid of gout. Cherries contain 7mg of vitamin C per serving.

Fiber

Another reason using cherries for gout is beneficial is due to fiber. Fiber helps you in your fight to lose weight which is a common factor with those who have gout symptoms. The average serving of cherries contains 2g of fiber. While this is not a huge amount ( recommended daily dose of fiber is 24g), it will get you started.


Cherry facts

Michigan produces 70-75% of all tart cherries in the United States with Montmerency cherries being the most harvested. I use King Orchard's Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate, also out of Michigan (2 oz. per day on average) as part of my gout treatments regimen except for mid-summer when cherry fruit stands come out in force. Then I eat all the fresh cherries for gout I can handle. The fresh cherries make a nice break from drinking the cherry juice. If you don't like cherry juice, another option is to take cherry concentrate in pill form.

For more information on cherries, here is an informative article on cherries and their great natural pain killing abilities. The source is from one of the great writers for "Mike the Health Ranger" at naturalnews.com. I am a regular reader of Mike's and if you are into natural remedies for whatever ails you or concerns you, I very highly recommend his site.

How effective is Cherry Juice for Gout?

Cherry juice is very effective for all the gout causes that we are aware of. I use cherry juice concentrate all the time. As long as the company you choose has quality cherries it will not matter which product you use. I personally have used Michelle's Cherry juice and King's cherry juice for gout and both have worked very well. I did not notice any difference in their effectiveness.

How much should you use? I use the concentrated formula because it is much cheaper. It can be around 7-8 dollars for a regular cherry juice and the same sized concentrated juice can cost around 19-20 dollars. That is quite the savings. A regular bottle will last me a day or two, while the concentrate will last me around a month. I simply pour 1-2 oz. in a regular sized glass and fill it full of water. If you use a small glass the cherry flavor can be a bit overwhelming. I do this once in the morning and once at night. If I feel that a gout attack is imminent or am feeling "twinges" I take another glass during the day. I believe cherry juice and gout go hand in hand if you want to get rid of the pain associated with this disease.

Which cherries should I choose?

Tart cherries for gout seem to have the most scientific basis for usage. Darker varieties have more anthocyanins so that is something to consider as well. Ultimately, they all will work fairly well. I personally usually use montmorency cherries.

Conclusion

When it comes to cherries and gout, whether you use tart cherries, bing cherries, or black cherries for gout, they are worth their weight in gold when it comes to gout remedies for this very painful type of arthritis. From helping with inflammation to lowering uric acid levels, they are the complete package. If you have gout and cherries are not part of your gout cures arsenal, make them part of it today.



Until later,

Medic

Gout Treatments-Part 4|3 Ways Strawberries Help Get Rid of Painful Gout Attacks

3 Ways Strawberries Help Get Rid of Gout

We are currently on a series on different methods of gout treatments. So far, we have discussed the ways that pineapples, grapes, and bananas help ease painful gout symptoms. Next up on the list are strawberries. We are almost into strawberry season so if you suffer from gout, please take the time to eat some fresh strawberries in the next couple months because they will help reduce your incidence and severity of gout attacks.



So how do strawberries help get rid of gout?



First of all, strawberries have a high Vitamin C content. As we saw for the other treatments for gout, at least three studies have reported that Vitamin C will either reduce uric acid levels or protect against gout. One study showed that vitamin C reduced uric acid by 10-15%. This alone is enough for me to make strawberries part of my gout treatments program.

Strawberries have a very high Vitamin C content compared to other fruits (59 mg per 100 gram serving) and they also contain a high quantity of flavonoids. Their flavonoids' profile (the anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols and so on) is comparable to cherries, in some ways they do better than cherries for gout, the leading natural remedy for gout.



The Vitamin C in strawberries helps neutralize uric acid which will help lower the quantities of crystals found in your joints, which is what causes gout pain.


Another way strawberries help get rid of gout is by the flavonoid quercetin. Quercetin, the dietary supplement, is reportedly helpful in treating gout, because it's an antioxidant and because it may inhibit xanthine oxidase which will lower uric acid creation. Quercitin helps reduce inflammation and is found in strawberries. It is also found in pineapples, onions, and apples (the apples' skin). Grapefruits are another fine source as well as some green leafy vegetables.



As with the other fruits we've discussed, it is important to have a balance of different types of fruits and vegetables that can help you get rid of your gout. Strawberries all by themselves will reduce your incidences of gout, but not help you get rid of it altogether. So please consider using variety. Next up on our list is blueberries.



Until later,



Medicman

Natural Remedies for Gout

Natural Remedies for Gout Anyone Can Follow

If you are like me, you have a desire to get off gout medication while still avoiding painful gout attacks. I accomplish this by using gout cures that I have found from natural sources . I am a former user of allopurinol. I decided I no longer wanted to use it when I discovered that one of the possible side effects of allopurinol is possible liver damage. I also wanted to avoid taking Indocin or colchicine whenever I had an episode of gout (hyperuricemia). I began searching for natural remedies for gout I could count on to help me avoid painful gout attacks without the potentially dangerous side effects. The following natural remedies for gout treatments worked for me.


Natural Gout Remedies Suggestions


Cherries

Yes, I know, pretty much everyone knows about using cherries for gout, but I do want to mention that I do take a cherry juice concentrate as the main supplement in my gout treatments program. I specifically use Michelle's Montmorency Cherry Juice Concentrate. It is a bit costly, but it is like gold to me. I have no affiliation with this product, but I assure you from experience, it works! Michelle's products are from Michigan, not too terribly far from where I live. Michigan is a huge cherry producing state. Needless to say, I take advantage of living near the overabundance of fresh cherries whenever they are in season. As for the Michele's cherry juice products, if you prefer, you can get this product in capsules versus the concentrate. These are naturally produced products and you can usually get them at your local holistic food store.


Potassium rich foods

Potassium-rich foods are great natural remedies for gout that are critical to overcoming your battle with this painful disease. Potassium helps to liquefy uric acid making it easier for the kidneys to eliminate the uric acid during urination. The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for potassium is 3500mg a day. So, what are a few of the foods rich in potassium?

Bananas
Cantaloupes
Peaches
Yams
Baked Potatoes, with the skin
Carrots

In another post about gout treatments, I mentioned on that if you lose weight, you must lose it slowly or it increases your uric acid levels. One of the reasons for this is that if you lose weight too rapidly, you decrease your potassium levels too quickly which makes it harder for the kidneys to get rid of your uric acid. Go slow!


Water

Gout pain is caused by too much crystallization of uric acid in your joints. Water helps to dissolve those crystals so the kidneys can process them properly. It is for this reason that drinking a lot of water is a important part of any natural remedies for gout plan. If you feel gout symptoms beginning to rear their ugly head, a quick remedy is to drink plenty of water.


Fish Oil


I use supplements for this. Occasionally, I will eat salmon, however, salmon is high in purines and must be eaten in moderation. Trout and sardines are also considered high purine foods. Because of the high purines found in these types of fish, I consider fish oil to be part of my natural remedies for gout therapy even though it is a supplement.

Fish oil is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, in some scientific studies, fish oil was found to have the same benefit as NSAIDs (i.e. Indocin, Ibuprofen, Aleve) without the potentially harmful side effects. My physician stated we should be taking 5000mg (5g) a day. I recommend using a high grade distilled fish oil as some of the lower quality fish oils have small traces of metals in them.

It is worth noting that fish oil is also recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a therapeutic help in the fight against heart disease. Make sure you have a minimum of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA in your fish oil.

These natural gout remedies enabled me to wean myself off of allopurinol. I made my physician part of the process, and I recommend you do as well. These natural remedies for gout have helped me be virtually gout free for three years.

Natural remedies for gout are easy to follow when used wisely. The benefit of the natural remedies for gout method is not only does it help you beat gout, you also lower your weight and decrease your risk for dangerous health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol, and heart attack. Give these natural remedies for gout a try.


Until later,


Medicman

Gout Cures

Gout Cures You Can Use Help Ease Painful Attacks

People who have gout are always looking for cures for gout that work quickly. Even using prescription drugs such as allopurinol doesn't guarantee one will avoid a painful episode. Indomethacin and colchicine usually take at least a day or two to work. So, what is a person to do? I am a fellow gout sufferer. A couple years ago, I'd get an attack approximately every 2-3 weeks. Even after I was prescribed allopurinol I still had painful gout attacks on a regular basis. This in spite of the fact that I don't drink alcohol and I was not eating gout foods such as beef or bacon. I decided I had enough of the pain and I personally did not wish to be on prescription drugs so I began to research different natural cures for gout I could use to eliminate this issue.

I have used each of these steps in my own personal gout treatments plan. They are natural methods and have enabled me to stop taking allopurinol* and have helped me to only have two gout attacks in the past three years, and the two attacks I had were minor compared to the ones I used to have.

How to cure gout

The key to curing gout naturally is prevention. The root cause of this disease is your diet. So you need to eat healthy. Here are some of the foods I ensure are a regular part of my menu so I can try to avoid further pain.

1. Bananas.

Bananas may come as a surprise to be on a natural gout cures list, but they contain a couple key elements that will help you in the fight to overcome this painful disease. Bananas contain a lot of potassium. Adequate amounts of potassium lowers your risk of having a painful gout attack. Potassium helps tear down uric acid crystals which will allow your renal system (i.e. your kidneys) to eliminate excess uric acid. Any foods high in potassium should be considered when you are considering what type of cures for gout to use.

Another important component of bananas which will help you with your gout treatments strategy is that bananas contain bromelain. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain during an attack. This is a definite bonus when it comes to the treatment of gout. While bananas didn't provide a huge relief to my symptoms, it did help cut the edge off the gout attack.

2. Blueberries.

Blueberries are a favorite snack for my family, and a big help for those who have gout. One of the main causes of gout is inflammation and blueberries go to the root of the problem. Effective gout remedies should contain foods that have anti-inflammatory properties. Blueberries, as well as bananas contain anti-swelling elements. Blueberries contain anthocyanins which are anti-inflammatory. The cause for swelling in affected joints is the formation of excess uric acid crystals and these anthocyanins help reduce the swelling. Not to mention all the other benefits and cancer-fighting antioxidants that blueberries have, you can't go wrong eating these tasty treats.

3. Grapes

While not one of the more known natural cures for gout, grapes are also helpful as a supplemental remedy because grapes lower the acidity of your blood as they have a high alkalinity content. This helps in reduction of uric acid levels. As an added benefit, grapes are also high in antioxidants.

4. Cherries

Most gout treatments lists consider cherries the king of curing gout naturally. I know this is the one I use the most. I take Montmorency cherry juice concentrate every single day, and I think this is one of the main reasons I have been able to prevent recurrent attacks. From eating cherries when they are in season to taking a concentrate during the winter, cherries are definitely an incredible gout cures food. Cherries have enzymes which neutralize uric acid. Cherries also contain anthocyanins. This makes cherries for gout very potent as they not only neutralize the cause of gout, they're an excellent treatment against the inflammatory side effects of an attack.

5. Alfalfa

Alfalfa is an herbal gout cure that I decided to give a try earlier for this past year. I've probably used it for a total of six months so far and I have to say the results have been amazing! It is quite the herb. I was at a nutritional meeting with some friends and a nutrition expert and the subject of alfalfa was brought up. I was unaware that alfalfa would help with gout. The expert discussed how this potent herb was great for arthritis and it got my mind churning. I decided to give it a try for gout. After all, gout is a form of arthritis.

After a month I actually weaned myself off the cherry juice to see what would happen. I wanted to check alfalfa's potency by itself. To my surprise I think it worked better than cherries. In fact, from time to time I'd take ibuprofen even while drinking cherry concentrate for gout. Usually when I felt a small flare up coming on. It had done wonders to keep an acute attack at bay. However, with alfalfa, I hardly ever have to take ibuprofen.

This is great in the long term, because not only is alfalfa very healthy for you, but I also get the benefit of reducing the risk of long term side effects from taking ibuprofen, not that I was taking it every day with cherries, I was not, but I have cut down ibuprofen usage by my estimates of around 80-90%. I discussed this with my naturopathic physician and she said she was not surprised at all. She believed that alfalfa was much more beneficial to gout than cherries and she was a firm believer in cherries.

I will say that I did have my first acute gout attack a month or so ago and I was not sure why. It was quite puzzling and my attack was quite strong. I had not had an acute bout with this for easily over a year. It was bad enough I had to take a week off of work. I finally figured it out. I was given by a kinesiologist, someone who studies the nerve impulses to the muscles to diagnose health, depending on the literature you read will depend on whether you get a positive or negative feedback about kinesiology. I find it helpful, but not totally conclusive. Anyways, they put me on a diet, which I did need, and had me taking this supplement to help me out. Unfortunately, that supplement contained beef pancreas, and beef organs is one of the worst things you can take. I was prescribed to take 3 pills a meal, so a total of 9 pills a day. Of course, even alfalfa could not overcome this and I had the attack. The attack took about a week go get rid of, and I eliminated that supplement from my diet. Now, I am back to not taking ibuprofen and I still have only been taking the alfalfa. I still do use cherries from time to time, but I try to only use one mostly for costs sake, more than anything.

Bananas, blueberries, grapes, cherries, and alfalfa are just a few of the available natural gout treatments that you can eat to help you greatly reduce your risk of gouty arthritis. These potent fruits not only are great gout cures, they are also great tasting. Combine the benefits of these fruits and enjoy beating gout instead of suffering the agony it causes.

Until later,

Medicman

*Disclaimer: While these methods work for me and I believe they will work for you, I am not a physician and you should always consult with your physician before making any changes to your medication usage.