Natural remedies for arthritis and gout

(NaturalNews) Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, which troubles nearly 350 million people worldwide. It can be caused by overuse or by the build up of toxins, such as uric acid. Natural treatments for arthritis can relieve suffering and pain in the joints for many people. Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can be hereditary. Injury can trigger arthritis, as can metabolic disorders, such as gout. Gout mainly attacks the foot joints, but the upper extremities can also be involved.

Low protein diets that are high in complex carbohydrates are advised, along with avoiding foods that are known to cause inflammation. The most important foods to avoid are dairy, and for many people, wheat. Coffee can cause an immune response in some people, and avoiding tobacco is recommended as well. Exercise that does not stress the joints helps to remove toxins from building up. Weight loss is an important factor for some, as reducing the weight carried on the joint relieves pressure and speeds the flow of blood to the area, which brings healing relief.

Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a treatment for arthritis sufferers. Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and add to one cup of warm or cold water and sip with each meal. Three times a day is best. If you can include the "mother" in your drink, even better. The mother is the dark substance that ferments the cider into vinegar and usually rests on the bottom of a jar of unfiltered, raw apple cider vinegar.

Turmeric is a spice that has shown anti-inflammatory properties. Put a quarter of a teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of water and sip. You can even gargle with turmeric. Indian food contains turmeric, so eating curry can relieve symptoms of arthritis for some.

Cayenne pepper, known as capsicum, is the only pepper that is not an irritant to tissues. It binds and acts as a healing agent. Cayenne can be applied externally, mixed with water, to reduce the inflammation of arthritis.

Molasses is one of the old-time, folk remedies for arthritis. Containing a lot of iron, molasses has also been used to treat anemia. A spoon of molasses a day stirred into warm water and consumed first thing in the morning relieves arthritis symptoms naturally for many.

Omega-3 fatty acids help provide nutrition to the joints. Natural sources of Omega-3s are fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring, and salmon. Vegetable sources include flax seeds and walnuts.

http://www.drweil.com/
http://www.arthritis.org/
http://www.medicinenet.com/arthriti...

Vitamin C a "gout" preventer

Vitamin C a 'gout preventer'

Tuesday, 10 March 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7932158.stm


Men who get plenty of vitamin C may boost their resilience to the painful joint disease gout, work suggests.

In the 20-year study of nearly 47,000 men, daily supplements of the vitamin found in sprouts, peppers and oranges appeared to cut gout risk.

The US researchers believe vitamin C has a dual action - easing inflammation and lowering uric acid levels in the body that go awry in gout.

The findings are published in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Experts warned that the news should not be taken to mean that it was fine to lead an unhealthy lifestyle and pop a vitamin pill to counteract this. It would be unwise for people to think they can compensate for eating and drinking too much by taking vitamin C with their pint of beer

Rheumatologist Dr Michael Snaith

There are a number of risk factors for gout, including taking certain medications, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and eating an unhealthy diet high in meat.

Although the condition is more associated with Victorian times, the numbers with gout have been increasing over the last 30 years and currently about 1.5% of the UK population has the condition.

In the study, 1,317 of the men, who were all health professionals, developed gout.

Compared with men who did not take vitamin C supplements, those who took 1,000mg to 1,499mg per day had a 34% lower risk of gout and those who took 1,500mg per day had a 45% lower risk.

This was irrespective of other gout risk factors such as diet and alcohol use.

Lead researcher Dr Hyon Choi, of Boston University School of Medicine, said there were good reasons to believe that vitamin C was having a beneficial effect on the men.

Protective

Vitamin C appears to reduce levels of uric acid in the blood - a build up of this naturally occurring compound can form crystal deposits in and around joints, leading to the pain and swelling associated with gout.

It does this by increasing the expulsion of uric acid from the body by the kidneys.

Dr Choi said: "Given the general safety profile associated with vitamin C intake, particularly in the generally consumed ranges as in the present study, vitamin C intake may provide a useful option in the prevention of gout."

Generally, people should be able to get all the vitamin C they need - 40mg a day - by eating a varied and balanced diet.

UK experts say taking 1,000 mg or less of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm. Gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhoea have been reported with doses over 1000 mg/day.

Rheumatologist Dr Michael Snaith, also of the UK Gout Society, said: "Vitamin C may reduce the frequency of attacks and provide a degree of protection. But that does not mean to say that taking whacking great amounts of vitamin C is going to eliminate gout.

"It would be unwise for people to think they can compensate for eating and drinking too much by taking vitamin C with their pint of beer."