Natural gout remedies have been used for generations to get relief form the symptoms of gout. How effective are they?
Basically, natural remedies that have anti-inflammatory properties will have positive results on gout symptoms. The degree of relief will vary from remedy to remedy but also from person to person.
Some of the natural gout remedies that people have reported success with are:
Cayenne Cream (Capsicum Cream): Cayenne cream is made from hot peppers that have been dried out. It works as a natural gout remedy on nerve cells by reducing the supply of a chemical called substance P. Substance P acts as a pain messenger from the nerve cells to the brain. By reducing the amount of substance P in the body, gout pain is either lowered or, in some cases, can be eliminated completely.
Bromelain: Bromelain is produced in pineapples. Pineapple can provide an anti-inflammatory response in the body but only if eaten fresh. Pineapple products aren’t as effective. However, bromelain which has been extracted from pineapple to create a concentrated bromelain dietary supplement can also be effective. The popularity of bromelain as a natural gout remedy has ebbed and flowed. Initially when its effects on gout symptoms were discovered anything associated with pineapple was consumed. When some negative reports surfaced its popularity as a natural gout remedy waned. However, research then showed that only fresh pineapple, not pineapple products, provided relief from inflammation. Its popularity as a natural gout remedy was revived. Now that bromelain extracted from pineapple is known to be effective, it’s become a popular mainstream supplement to combat gout symptoms.
Krill Oil: Krill oil is a popular anti-inflammatory for arthritic conditions which also provides joint lubrication to ease pain from movement, particularly on weight bearing joints. The anti-inflammatory properties of krill oil arise from the relatively high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Red krill oil has recently received a lot of attention as a particularly effective treatment for arthritis and joint inflammation in general and, more specifically, as a natural remedy for gout.
GLA oils including evening primrose, borage and black currant oil: GLA, or gamma linolenic acid (GLA), is an essential fatty acid that has a similar effect on arthritic pain as Omega 3 fatty acids. However, it does depend on personal response. Some gout sufferers swear by one but don’t appear to get as much relief from the other.
CMO (Cetyl Myristoleate Oil): CMO is an oil contained in dairy products, particularly butter, and certain fish. It can be in supplement form but good results have been reported when the oil is used topically, directly on the joint affected by gout.
Natural Ginger: Either eating it fresh or drinking a tea made from grated ginger or soaked ginger pieces can boost the body’s immune system and result in reduced joint inflammation and pain relief. However, it must be fresh ginger. The effect of ginger is lessened if used as a cooking or baking ingredient, such as in ginger biscuits. Natural ginger is one of the oldest known natural remedies for gout and continues to be one of the most popular.
Indian Frankincense (Boswellia): Indian Frankincense or Boswellia has been used for generations for pain relief, particularly for muscular-skeletal conditions. Its pain relieving qualities arise from anti-inflammatory components. Its use as a natural gout remedy took off in recent years after being featured in a couple of national television lifestyle programs.
Cherries: There has been a lot said about cherries since the first medical study was released in 1950. Its popularity and reputation has risen over the years, elevating it almost into the status of the king of natural gout remedies.
While its followers are passionate about its beneficial effects, there are differing opinions on which variety of cherry is best and how cherries should be consumed for the maximum beneficial effect.
Some swear by black cherries. Some gout sufferers only report a beneficial effect if they consume concentrated cherries in the form of cherry juice.
So, what is it about cherries that benefits gout suffers and how should you consume them?
Firstly, why cherries? Cherries have a high level of vitamin C, vitamin A and fiber. The vitamin C is the primary key. It has been shown to reduce uric acid levels by as much as 50 percent. This makes it one of the potent natural gout remedies. Inflammation in gouty joints is reduced which in turn reduces the severity of gout pain.
The general rule regarding consuming cherries to reduce the effects of gout is – the more the better. Medical studies have consistency shown that the more gout sufferers consumes cherries, the lower their levels of uric acid. That applies to the consumption of fresh cherries, frozen cherries, canned cherries, cooked cherries, dried cherries and cherry juice.
Cherries are also low in calories, which limits negative effects of a high cherry consumption.
Eating twenty to thirty cherries is generally thought to have a significant effect on lowering uric acid and inflammation. If taken during a gout attack, considerably more cherries need to be consumed – around 50 according to some studies.
Another theme that emerges from medical studies is that continuous consumption, three times a day provides a good defence against a gout attack developing.
With a relatively low fructose or sugar content, cherries have less side effects from high levels of consumption than other beneficial fruits such as pineapples, oranges, grapes, and bananas. No wonder it has become one of the most popular of the natural gout remedies.