Gout/Uric Acid

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GOUT/URIC ACID – CURING WITH NATURO-FOOD THERAPY

WHAT IS GOUT/URIC ACID?

1.       In olden days “Gout” was called the “disease of the kings” because it was associated with over-indulgence in rich food and alcohol. Gout is a common form of arthritic joint disease caused by a disorder of the metabolism (body chemistry) mainly through higher than normal levels of uric acid in the blood. Healthy range of uric acid is normally considered to be between 2.0 to 7.0 mg/dl. However, for unknown reasons, in some cases, more than 4.5 mg/dl of uric acid can cause gout. Uric acid is, in fact a waste product which in normal circumstances is flushed out by the kidneys via the urine. Gout attacks generally occur between dusk to dawn at night with severe pain that is throbbing and excruciating. The first attacks are usually short-lived and may occur once a week, but subsequent ones last longer and are more frequent.

CAUSES OF GOUT

2.       Basic cause of excessive uric acid leading to gout, in about 50% cases is wrong diet which increases acidity in the stomach and produces protein compounds called “purines”. Purines are not only produced by wrong foods but mainly they are also made naturally by the body through metabolic processes. Gout sufferers, for some reason other than purine-rich foods, produce more uric acid than their body can handle and dispose off. Higher than normal uric acid levels can lead to a severe case of “hyperuricaemia” which causes the body to produce such large quantities of uric acid that the kidneys begin to malfunction resulting in a deposit of monosodium urate salt crystals in the joints causing inflammation and acute pain i.e. gout. Heredity also plays a part in causing gout. At least 25% of gout patients have a relative who also suffers from the disease. Some patients develop gout as a result of other illnesses that compromise the ability to handle uric acid.

3.       A high protein and fat-rich diet, excessive consumption of alcohol coupled with sedentary (inactive) and stressful lifestyle is a deadly combination for raised uric acid levels leading to gout. Most of the lifestyle diseases are inter-related. The relationship amongst digestive disorders, stress, high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, raised cholesterol levels and hyperuricaemia (cause of gout) is no secret! Also some medications like thiaside diuretics for high blood pressure and aspirin to thin blood for heart patients can cause uric acid levels to rise.