Gout: Complete Treatment Guide
Understanding causes, symptoms, and natural treatment options for this preventable arthritis condition
🩺 Medical Information Notice
This comprehensive guide provides educational information about gout management. Always consult with healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis, blood testing, and personalized treatment plans. Gout can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
💡 Key Takeaway
Gout is largely preventable through lifestyle and dietary choices. Most cases result from overindulgence and poor lifestyle habits, making it a manageable condition with proper education and commitment to healthy changes.
Understanding Gout
What is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by excess accumulation of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a natural waste product that results from the breakdown of purines (proteins) in the body.
How It Develops:
- • Body produces too much uric acid
- • Kidneys can't eliminate enough uric acid
- • Uric acid crystals form in joints
- • Crystals cause inflammation and pain
Disease Progression
Crystal Formation: At high concentrations in blood, uric acid forms razor-sharp crystals that typically affect the big toe or finger joints, causing intense pain and redness.
Additional Complications:
- • Deposits under skin around joints
- • Lumps at rim of ear
- • Uric acid kidney stones
- • Kidney damage if untreated
Diagnostic Testing
Basic Testing:
- • Blood test for uric acid levels
- • Joint fluid analysis (if needed)
- • Kidney function tests
Advanced Testing:
- • 2-hour insulin and glucose test
- • Measures insulin resistance
- • Identifies underlying metabolic issues
Causes & Risk Factors
Hereditary Factors
25% of people with gout have a family history of the condition. Some individuals have genetic problems with uric acid metabolism, making them more susceptible to developing gout.
Dietary Triggers
High-Risk Foods:
Sea Salt (Large Amounts)
Can cause increased uric acid levels
High Fructose Intake
Processed foods, soda, high fructose corn syrup
Excess Animal Protein
Particularly red meat and organ meats
High-Purine Foods:
Very High Purines:
- • Organ meats (liver, kidneys, brains)
- • Meat extracts (Oxo, Bovril)
- • Sweetbreads
- • Anchovies and sardines
Moderate Purines:
- • Beef, pork, poultry, fish, seafood
- • Asparagus, cauliflower, spinach
- • Mushrooms, green peas, lentils
- • Oatmeal, wheat bran, wheat germ
Note: Moderate purine intake is not associated with increased gout risk.
Kidney & Metabolic Factors
Impaired Kidney Function:
- • Kidney disease
- • Dehydration
- • Chronic diarrhea
- • Insufficient fluid intake
Fluids needed to flush out excess uric acid
Metabolic Issues:
- • Renal fat infiltration
- • Insulin resistance
- • Impaired ammonia excretion
- • Acidic urine pH
Leads to crystal formation and stone development
Possible Triggers & Risk Conditions
Medical Conditions
- • Untreated high blood pressure
- • Diabetes
- • High blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia)
- • Arteriosclerosis (arterial narrowing)
- • Kidney disease
Medications & Situations
- • Thiazide diuretics (blood pressure meds)
- • Low-dose aspirin
- • Cyclosporine (organ rejection prevention)
- • Chemotherapy treatments
- • Prolonged bed rest after surgery/illness
Managing Gout Pain
Massage Therapy Benefits
How Massage Helps:
Endorphin Release: Massages trigger the release of endorphins, which prevent nerve cells from releasing additional pain signals, providing natural pain relief.
Accessibility: While professional massages and acupuncture are ideal, home-use massage tools and devices provide convenient access to healing massage therapy.
Massage Options:
- Professional massage therapy
- Acupuncture treatments
- Home massage devices
- Self-massage tools
Lifestyle Recommendations
Essential Lifestyle Changes
Maintain Ideal Body Weight
Excess weight increases uric acid production
Exercise Regularly
Keep in good physical condition
Avoid Alcohol
Especially beer - significantly increases gout risk
Stay Hydrated
Fluids help dilute uric acid in blood and urine
Hydration Guidelines
Daily Fluid Intake:
8 glasses (64 ounces) of fluids per day minimum
Additional Beneficial Drinks:
- • Drinking yogurt
- • Chocolate/cocoa (in moderation)
- • Herbal teas
- • Cherry juice (especially beneficial)
Comprehensive Dietary Guidelines
Foods to Avoid or Limit
Eliminate Completely:
- • Refined flour products
- • Bakery goods
- • Added sugar
- • High fructose corn syrup
Limit Severely:
- • Alcohol (especially beer)
- • Red meat
- • Seafood
- • Organ meats
Research Note:
Higher meat and seafood consumption increases gout risk, while higher dairy consumption decreases risk.
Beneficial Foods to Include
Fruits & Vegetables
Fresh/Frozen Fruits:
- • Bananas, pineapple, citrus fruits
- • Cherries (especially beneficial)
- • Strawberries and red-blue berries
- • Blueberries (high antioxidant power)
Fresh/Frozen Vegetables:
- • Celery, tomatoes, kale
- • Red cabbage, red bell peppers
- • Potatoes, parsley
- • Green leafy vegetables
Proteins & Other Foods
Lean Proteins:
- • Chicken, duck, turkey
- • Ham (lean cuts)
- • Tofu
- • Low-fat dairy products
Other Beneficial Foods:
- • High-fiber foods
- • Complex carbohydrates*
- • Essential fatty acids (tuna, salmon)
- • Flaxseed, nuts, seeds
*Avoid wheat if sensitive/allergic
Spotlight: Blueberries
Exceptional antioxidant power: 2,400 ORAC value per 100g. Rich in anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and phenolic acids. Help fight bacteria causing urinary tract infections and may combat pain. Fresh and frozen (without sugar) are nutritionally comparable.
Expert Medical Advice
Dr. Mark Stengler, ND - Naturopathic Medicine Specialist
Professional Background
• Practices at La Jolla Whole Health Clinic, California
• Associate Clinical Professor, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland
• Medical Advisory Committee, Yale University Complementary Medicine Research Project
• Author of multiple natural healing publications
Dr. Stengler's Key Insights
Insulin Resistance Connection
Many gout patients have insulin resistance — a prediabetic condition where cells don't properly use insulin. This raises insulin and glucose levels, impairing the kidneys' ability to remove uric acid from the body.
Rapid Attack Triggers
Alcohol, organ meats, and shellfish (especially shrimp) can increase uric acid levels and provoke a gout attack within 24 hours. Long-term aspirin or diuretic use can cause gradual buildup.
Dr. Stengler's Treatment Protocol
Goal: Minimize uric acid formation and crystallization through targeted nutrition and supplementation.
Dietary Recommendations:
- • Eat lots of fiber
- • Limit unhealthy carbs (cookies, soda)
- • Drink 64 ounces water daily
Specific Protocols:
- • Bing cherries: 1-2 dozen daily
- • Cherry extract: 1,000mg 3x daily
- • Celery seed extract: 500mg 3x daily
Natural alternatives: Fresh, frozen, or dried Bing cherries can be used instead of supplements, providing natural compounds that help reduce uric acid levels and inflammation.