Dr. Henry Cheng
Gout is a common type of arthritis caused by elevated uric acid level in the blood. When uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint there will be inflammation and destruction of bone and cartilage. Redness is usually dramatic and pain is usually excruciating. The ball of the big toe is the commonest site. However, gout can also affect any joint of the limbs. Gout has a strong genetic relationship. It is a result of either over production or reduced excretion of uric acid. Uric acid comes from the metabolism of purines; hence foods with high purine contents should be avoided, such as anchovies, herring, sardines, mackerel, roe, shellfish, internal organs (brain, kidney, heart, liver, etc.), red meat, yeast, mushrooms, asparagus, legumes, peas, beans, broccoli and spinach. Alcohol and certain drugs may precipitate an attack by increasing uric acid production or reducing uric acid excretion.
If you are overweight, lose the excessive pounds. Weight reduction in obese individuals significantly reduces serum uric acid levels. Increase your fluid intake to help flush out the uric acid thus preventing urinary stones. Cherries, hawthorn berries, blueberries, and other dark red-blue berries are rich sources of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. These potent anti-oxidants deactivates free radicals which otherwise can damage capillaries, collagen structures, eyes, and other organs. Consuming one-half pound of cherries per day for 4 weeks has been shown to be very effective in lowering uric acid levels and balancing pH of the body thus preventing attacks of gout. Cherries inhibit enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 and decrease C-reactive protein levels which is a marker of inflammatory activities. These actions are very much like those of some anti-inflammatory drugs. However it may not be feasible to eat large quantities of cherries every day. Fortunately one can take Cherry Fruit Extract capsules.
Homeopathics works through the principle of “Like heals Like” and can help at many levels. There is a Gout and Arthritis Complex that contains Apis mellifica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Colchicum, Sulfa and Urtica Urens. This will help the redness, swelling, intense pain, tenderness, inability to move during an attack. I have seen many patients with chronic recurrent gouty attacks went into long remissions with just Cherry Fruit Extract 6 capsules a day and Gout and Arthritis Complex 2 spray-pumps twice daily.
Enzymes taken in high doses may help to reduce the inflammation. Tumeric and curcumin preparations (CuraMed, Curamin, etc.) and enteric coated complexs (Wobenzyme, Serraptase, etc.) had been shown to benefit gouty arthritis.
High doses of Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbic Acid (straight Vitamin C) may alter body pH abruptly and has been known to trigger acute gouty attacks. Small doses (less than 500 mg per day) of a buffered Vitamin C such as Ester C and New Roots C8 has been shown to lower uric acid levels probably through anti-oxidant action without altering body pH.
Urinary stone is a possible complication of gouty arthritis. A South American herb called Chanca Pieadra was claimed to be effective in eliminating stones from the body. Chanca Piedra is Spanish for Phyllanthus nirui and literally translates to “break stone”. A homeopathic complex called Urinary Complex that contains Pareira brava, Cantharis, Nux Vomica, Lycopodium, Acidum Nitricum, Sarsaparilla, and Uva Ursi had been shown to clear up urinary crystals and minimize stone symptoms. For the nodules developed under the skin over arthritic joints, one can try homeopathic Hekla Lava which typically benefits bone chips and calcified joint tissues.
Henry Cheng is a medical graduate of the University of London, England and is now Natural Health Products Consultant at Pharmasave Downtown Cloverdale.
