Post 94

Gout & High Uric Acids

Gout occurs when the kidneys cannot excrete uric acid from the body.  Foods which are high in purines are the greatest offenders and need to be eliminated.  The average gout attack lasts a week, although it an literally last for years, or may occur multiple times per year. Correcting your diet is critical to avoiding gout and cleansing your system of excessive uric acids. High purine foods can prompt an attack and those foods high in purines should be avoided and replaced with foods which are only moderate or low.  Gout affects more men than women.  Although less common, women also develop gout.

High purine foods include;

• sardines, anchovies, herring, carp, cod, salmon, trout, haddock, tuna (eat small or moderate amounts only– this should not cause an attack, eating large amounts may)
• legumes (dried beans and peas)  Most of the latest research indicates that beans, peas and dark leafy vegetables, may reduce gout attacks, contrary to what used to be considered a a trigger food)
• beer–  although hard alcohol and wine also have purines, beer is the greatest offender.  Just 1 glass of beer per day may result in a 50% greater chance of developing a gout attack
• spinach
• asparagus
• fruit juice– eating raw fruits is ok or some juices which are fresh made, however, ALL processed commercial juices are gout promoting because they are pasteurized which converts complex sugar to simple sugars.  Simple sugar is gout promoting and pasteurized juices are equivalent to drinking sugar-water.  Fruit juice is also void of fiber which is needed to use fruit properly in digestion. Oranges are particularly a high risk.
• organ meats–  although most people no longer eat organ meats, the highest culprits are liver and kidneys
• sweetbreads (made from animal glands)
• mushrooms
• gravy and sauces- made from purine-rich foods like beef, combined with fat or dairy, both white and brown are gout promoting
• cauliflower
• shellfish– moderate in purines but problematic in any excess amount- in fishing towns where seafood is a staple, gout levels in the community are high-  shellfish highest in purines includes;  lobster, crab, clams, and scallops
• brewer’s yeast
• beef is the highest in purines, followed by lamb and pork– eat these in reduced portions and only in small or moderate servings.  The cuts highest in purines are;  chuck, ribs, tenderloin, shoulder, and roast beef

Other foods which contribute to gout include;  More recent research has shown that SUGAR may be one of the greatest contributors of a gout attack.  This includes foods naturally high in sugar, processed foods like pastries and sweets, and foods which convert to sugar through digestion like starch.

• SUGAR
• fructose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup
• caffeine
• alcohol
• dairy
• coffee– limit to 1 cup per day or 1 cup per sitting.  Drinking multiple cups in a row can contribute to a gout attack.  Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of water, especially if drinking coffee to prevent the uric acid crystals in your blood from being deposited into your joints.
• soda- considered dangerous to those with gout

Fried Foods-  Avoid the rancid fats, deep fried foods including any “crispy” food– such as fast foods, fried chicken, etc. 

Eating fried foods may contribute to a higher body fat index.  The higher this index, the greater risk of developing chronic gout.  Stir frying or sauteing foods with high quality fats, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or grape seed oil for example, is not the issue. Rancid fats include all deep fried foods, and polyunsaturated cooking oils such as canola, corn oil, etc.

Serving Sizes of Proteins

Proteins with moderate purine levels may be tolerated.  A serving size is about the thickness and size of the palm of your hand.  For women this is about 4 oz. for women and 5 oz. for men.  A serving size for eggs is whatever you an hold in your hand–  about 2 for women and 3 for men. If eating only egg whites, you can double the serving size.

So…. what can you eat which if beneficial?  

The best diet for those suffering from gout is a diet high in complex carbohydrates;  this means a diet high in vegetables, some raw fruits, whole grains, and a limited moderate amount of animal protein. Vegetables are very important–  You cannot eat too many vegetables.  One or more servings at meals is recommended.  A serving size is at least the size of a softball.  Make an effort to eat 2-3 servings at a meal.

Lean chicken contains only moderate amounts of purines and in limited servings, should not cause a problem.  Cherries have long been found to be effective in reducing the risk of gout.  Celery is also excellent for reducing the duration of a gout attack as well as prevention.  Drinking a cup of celery seed tea each day can be helpful, or if you prefer, taking a celery seed supplement pill can be used.  For decades, drinking 2 oz. of aloe vera juice 1-3 times daily has been recommended.

Gout Smoothie No. 1

• coconut water
• 2 stalks celery (including leaves)
• 2 handfuls dark leafy lettuce
• 1/2 cup frozen cherries  (alternate or substitute other fruits as well such as;  pineapple, blackcurrant, papaya- (fresh or frozen, but not canned or cooked)
• ice
• 1 teaspoon herb formula for gout
• add more coconut water to thin if needed

Always drink freshly prepared

Gout Smoothie No. 2

• coconut water
• 4 stalks celery (including leaves)
• 1/2 medium cucumber (if organic, include peel, otherwise peel)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon (if organic, include peel, otherwise cut peel off)
• knob of fresh ginger root
• ice

Add more coconut water as needed to thin it out if needed.  Add 1/2 banana or another fruit like fresh pineapple if you want more flavor. Always drink freshly prepared.

Beneficial Smoothie Ingredients in Addition to Cherries;  (fresh or frozen, no canned, or cooked)  

• banana
• pineapple
• grapes
• lemon
• apple
• apple fiber
• cucumber
• beet
• carrot
• blueberries
• ginger root
• blackberries
• blackcurrants
• acerola cherries
• all cherries
• kiwi
• papaya
• raspberries
• strawberries

Supplements

• Uric Acid Cleanse-  1 pill daily, this is taken ongoing
• Herb Formula using 1 oz. of 4 different herbs from the list
• Vitamin C– 1000 mg  (unless restricted by your doctor for reasons related to kidney disease)
• Baking Soda  1/3 teaspoon daily with vitamin C  (or in some cases up to 1 teaspoon daily of each-  NOT with kidney disease unless checking with your doctor— both vitamin C and baking soda affect the kidneys and blood)
• Probiotics
• Flavonoids
• Chlorophyll
• Spirulina
• Cracked Cell Chlorella
• Celery Seed capsules
• Cherry Juice concentrate
• Fish Oil  1000 IU 1-3 times daily with food
• Flax Oil 1 to 2 tablespoons daily with food
• Quercetin 300 mg 2 times daily
• Boswellia
• Enzymes- chose from the list

Herbs

Chose 4 herbs and combine to prepare 4 oz. of product.  4 oz. will supply about 1 month using 1 teaspoon daily in a smoothie, or hot water. This herb blend can also be capsulized for those who prefer not to taste them. If putting into capsules, take 3-6 capsules per day with water on an empty stomach— Choose from this list;

• alfalfa leaf
• celery
• celery seed
• harpago (also known as devil’s claw)
• milk thistle seed
• grape skin
• grape seed
• soloman’s root
• butcher’s broom
• horsetail
• horse chestnut  (also good in prepared creams and ointments for bone and joint pain)
• horseradish
• juniper berry
• parsley leaf and root
• wormwood
• green tea
• burdock root
• dandelion root
• turmeric
• ashwagandha root
• cat’s claw
• chanca piedra
• cinnamon
• ginger root

Daily Vitamin C Alkalizing Water

This is included as part of your water allotment.  Vitamin C can cause stomach upset in some people. To reduce this and to alkalize the body, combine vitamin C powder with baking soda.  Baking soda does contain sodium so if you are on a sodium restricted diet, you will not be able to use this beverage.  Baking soda is alkalizing and when combined with vitamin C powder, it converts to sodium ascorbate.

• 6 oz. of distilled water
• 1/3 teaspoon vitamin C powder (1000 mg)
• 1/3 teaspoon non-aluminum baking soda

This beverage is taken between meals on an empty stomach.  You can reduce the water by 2 oz. and replace it with 2 oz. of aloe vera juice. When mixing, use a glass and first combine the vitamin C and baking soda with only a small amount of water.  It will fizz.  When fizzing stops, add the rest of the water to equal the 6 oz.

Medicinal Mushrooms For Gout

The same mushrooms that benefit those with RA also benefit those with Gout. Even though mushrooms contain purines, these are not the same as purines found in animal sources.  Scientists once thought that purines were purines and no difference was either acknowledged or yet to be discovered. Think of it like fat.  A fat is a fat….Well we all know that is not true, corn oil is not the same health value as fish oil or flax seed oil.  So are purines.  Mushrooms carry what is called the “master antioxidant” called ergothioneine. Ergothioneine are exclusive to mushrooms which protects our DNA from oxidative damage and free radical damage. Because Medicinal Mushrooms are immune modulators, these living organisms can help bring our system back into balance or homeostasis. They are exceptional when combined with adaptogenic herbs, which also are systemic modulators. This can be especially helpful to those with all types of autoimmune illnesses.

Gout is an autoimmune disease.  One the best choices for gout, is ganoderma lucidum, “the Mushroom of Immortality”, which is also known as Reishi. Reishi Mushroom is rich in polysacharide peptides which have been found to significantly regulate the cells that influence the immune system.  Reishi helps to settle down overactive cells and reduce inflammation.  A second mushroom to consider is Cordyceps.  This mushroom helps to protect the kidneys and liver and has exceptional anti-inflammatory benefits.

Two mushrooms are recommended as medicinal;

• Reishi–  regulates immune cells, reduces overactive cells and inflammation, modulator for the immune system
• Cordyceps–  liver & kidney protective, anti-inflammatory, modulator for the immune system

Water & Enzyme Therapy

Cleansing the system by drinking distilled water for about a year will help flush out the system and stored uric acids deposits in the joints, kidneys, and bladder.  As a cleanse to halt a gout attack or prevent the recurrence , try the following;

• Drink 2 liters of distilled water daily– this allotment includes herb tea and green or white tea
• Take enzymes between meals using 1-3 pills with water, 1 to 3 times daily, or as specified below in mg. .  This helps to break down and eliminate the acids and debris in the body.  Choose from these types of enzymes;
  •  O-3
  • O-45
  • high chymotrypsin complex
  • pancreatin complex
  • O-C
  • bromelain- up to 1500 mg per day
  • serrapeptase 120,000 units 3 times daily
• Drink alfalfa tea made with distilled water
• Take 3 celery seed capsules daily with a meal
• Take 1-2 turmeric capsules 3 x daily with meals or 2 teaspoons daily until the flare subsides then reduce your intake to 1 capsule 3 x daily with each meal

Controversy

As with so many understandings in history, things change and research reveals new opinions.  In the past, it has always been warned that those with gout should avoid asparagus, peas, cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms.  Today, research does not support this conclusion and it is no longer believed these foods increase the risk of gout, nor recurring gout attacks.  The key is to eat more of these foods in their raw state or steamed and avoid those which are canned or combined with gout-promoting ingredients like dairy, red meat, breading associated with fried foods. My personal opinion is that these foods eaten in a healthy preparation are beneficial and not harmful.  The “culprits” are still listed on published dietary materials, but expect to see more changes to these lists in the future as more is revealed through current research.