GOINDIS NATUROPATHY TRUST(INDIA)
Charity Registration No.845/4 dated 03.09.2003
GOUT/URIC ACID
Curing WITH NATRO-FOOD
THERAPY
SANTOKH SINGH PARMAR
FOUNDER TRUSTEES:
Satyendra Singh Goindi, MSc, LLB, ND
Gurkirpal Kaur Goindi, BA, BEd, DPE, ND
Santokh Singh Parmar, B Arch, Dip TP, Dip LA, MRTPI, AITP, AIIA
Devinder Singh Saroya, PCS
Gurmukh Singh Girn, MSc, MCRP, AITP
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.
GOUT SYMPTOMS
4. Gout develops over many years and raises its head without warning, but sometimes there are premonitory symptoms like disorders of the digestive organs, bitter taste in the mouth, a feeble appetite, flatulence, uneasiness on the right side of the abdomen (over the liver) and irritation in the urinary organs. There may also be numbness and a feeling of coldness in the limbs. In “acute” cases the affected joints are inflamed, swollen, tender (and sometimes stiff), red and highly painful. In “chronic” cases, the various joints become permanently affected beginning with feet. Usually, it is almost impossible to put any weight on the affected foot during the acute stage of the disease.
JOINTS AFFECTED BY GOUT
5. The big toe is affected the most, while the ankles, heels, feet, knees, fingers, hands, wrist and elbows also share the brunt. In some individuals excess levels of uric acid also lead to the formation of kidney stones. In a “wandering gout” type, the seat of attack may be changed with every attack. Rarely there can be gout of chest, eyes, heart, stomach and throat. Another type of gout, which can be called “poor person’s gout”, results from consumption of an excessive amount of refined carbohydrates or sugar. Deposits of uric acid called “tophi” can appear as lumps under the skin around the affected joints.
PURINE-RICH AND ACIDIC FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
6. These foods include non-vegetarian foods such as red meat, chicken, sea food, eggs, organ meats like that of liver/brain/kidneys, alcohol including beer, soft cola drinks, all canned, refined, processed and fried foods, white flour (maida), bread and sugar.
PURINE-RICH AND ACIDIC FOODS TO BE CONSUMED IN MODERATION
7. These foods include wholegrains, legumes and lentils especially kala chana (chick peas), urd dal, barley, corn, rice, beans, oatmeal, tomatoes, peas, cauliflower, aubergines, mushrooms, lady finger, asparagus, spinach, bananas, guavas, pomegranate, milk products like curd and cheese, tea/coffee especially with sugar, chocolates, nuts (except almonds), cakes and confectionary.
8. Human blood is about 80% alkaline and about 20% acidic which means gout patients should eat foods in the same proportion i.e. much more alkaline and much less of acidic foods.
9. Alkaline foods suitable for uric acid-prone persons include almonds, apples, apricots, bananas, beets, cabbage, carrots, celery, cherries, cinnamon, coconut, cottage cheese, cucumber, dandelion, dates, fenugreek, figs, grapes, gourds, horseradish (fresh), lemons, lettuce, mangoes, melons, milk, onions, oranges, papaya, parsley, peaches, pears, pineapple, potatoes with skin, pumpkins, radishes, strawberries, turnips, willow bark.
10. Persons with uric acid problem should drink lots of water (2½ to 3 litres a day, more if exercising and in hot weather) at regular intervals to flush out wastes containing uric acid through increased urine.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
11. Obese persons are more prone to uric acid problems, so keep your weight under control by eating healthy, i.e. more of fruits, vegetables, sprouted grains, nuts etc. Regular physical exercise is a must for patients suffering from uric acid. Deep breathing exercises and Yoga will also prove beneficial. Also avoid fasting followed by feasting (overeating) and minimize stressful life.
HOME REMEDIES TO NORMALISE URIC ACID LEVEL
12. It is important to understand that gout has taken many years to develop silently and will also take some time to get rid of it. Allopathic medicines may help to some extent but these often have harmful side-effects. Naturo-food therapy, however, does offer the possibility of a total cure and is completely safe. There are a number of simple but effective home remedies consisting of simple herbs/foods and their combinations which are known to lower uric acid levels. These are:
- 1. Cherries – To start with consume about 15-20 cherries a day for few days. Thereafter about 10 cherries a day for as long as needed will keep the ailment under control. Fresh cherries are best but dried or canned will also be beneficial.
- 2. Giloy – 20 ml of fresh giloy juice daily for 2-3 months shows very good results.
- 3. Hararh/Triphla – Daily taking two gms powder of hararh with little jaggery or simple triphla powder in the same quantity with water also helps in lowering uric acid levels.
- 4. Ginger and Turmeric – These herbs are natural weapons against gout. But talk to your naturo-food therapist first if you have gall bladder problem and take non-steroid-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or blood thinning medications.
- 5. Herbal Mixture – For stubborn cases, taking a combination of two to three gms powder of shatvar, gorakhmundi, dry giloy and triphla, all mixed in equal parts, is an effective remedy
- 6. Juices – (i) About 150 ml juice of French or string beans daily will prove effective; (ii) Fresh pineapple juice is also beneficial; (iii) Make 500 ml juice from equal amounts of juices of carrots, celery, spinach and cucumber with skin. Add a pinch each of salt, crushed black pepper, roasted cumin seeds and the juice of one lemon. Drink undiluted and eat two slices of fresh overripe pineapple while drinking.
- 7. Ayurvedic Medications – There are many ayurvedic preparations that can help in lowering or keeping the uric acid level under check.
- 8. Massage – In cases of damaged or deformed joints, regular medicated massage and physiotherapeutic measures should also be applied. Poultices made with fenugreek (methi) powder can be used to reduce swellings painlessly in the treatment of gout.
Santokh Singh Parmar
Naturo-Food Therapist & Lifestyle Consultant
Mobile: +91(0) 9815922330
Websites: www.naturofoodtherapy.org & www.foodtherapy.org
October 2008
Note: The above information and advice and indicative remedies are not a substitute for the advice, your doctor or naturo-food therapist may give you based on his/her knowledge of yourself.