What is Gout?

Q: I have a question about gout. What is it, how do you get it, and are there any natural cures available? My father and my aunt have it.

A: Gout is a type of arthritis (joint inflammation) caused when crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints and surrounding tissues.

There is a genetic predisposition to the condition, but it’s often environmental factors that contribute to an exacerbation, and diet is a big part of this, particularly diets rich in purines. Gouty “attacks” can be caused by diets heavy in proteins, fats, alcohols and high-fructose corn syrups, so try to limit your intake.

Tart cherries, celery, and dairy products have been shown to reduce the occurrence of gout.

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dorothy K.

11:59AM PDT on Apr 16, 2010

gout!! the worst pain ever!! Have had it in knee, foot and toe, ouch!! (not at the same time of course) Didn't know women could get it till I was diagnosed, oh well!

send a green star

Past Member .

7:10AM PDT on Sep 8, 2009

Try bread with no yeast, and stay away from red meats and fried foods.
When I had a flare up of gout I drank pure cherrie juice, ate only raw veggies and bread with no yeast, it took it away and haven't been bothered since.
Hope this helps.

1:53AM PDT on Jun 15, 2009

thanks...
Kabin

Konteyner

Lorena P.

6:49AM PDT on Jun 13, 2009

don't eat to much uric acid food that can cause gout like seeded food and all the can goods.

Mariah S.

7:57PM PDT on Jun 11, 2009

Thank you for the information...It's really help..

Felix H.

8:51AM PST on Dec 27, 2008

i think it could happens to your fingers too..
try to look and browse for the cure at http://www.gout-treatments.org/

i hope it helps you people.

Lily K.

10:17PM PST on Dec 17, 2008

Jimmy ans Sharon thanks for your comments too. I agree with the citrus thing but also tomatoes can be a problem if you have goat so i try to limit the amount i have.

Sharon H.

1:19PM PST on Dec 17, 2008

Jimmy,

reconstituted lemon juice contains sodium bisulfate and sodium benzoate. Combined with the Vitamin C, it actually turns into benzene which is a carcinogen. Just a tip for anyone else reading this....if you're drinking anything containing both those ingredients, stop!

Jimmy Lee C.

12:36PM PST on Dec 17, 2008

Simple cure for Gout that has kept me from hobbling around in intense, excrutiating pain now for 4 solid years,... eliminate high doses of citrus.
In my case, I can still have moderate amounts of real fruit, oranges even a few wedges of lemon, but once I got off the reconstituted lemon juice I had been dosing my ice tea and flavoring ice water with, no more pain,.. ever.
No more expen$ive pharma, just eliminate excess citric acids.