"The Gout Solution" by Paul Thomas

Paul Thomas, an author who does medical research on gout, recently sent me a preview copy of his eBook, The Gout Solution. I was very impressed by the way Mr. Thomas presented his information in a very logical, easy to understand format. Everything is made perfectly clear and the conclusions he draws flow logically and are easy to follow. It is, by far, the best book on gout I've seen in a long time. The other thing that impressed me is that his research is up-to-date. I've written posts, shared from Dr. Mercola's website, on the connection between high fructose corn syrup and insulin resistance as they relate to the build-up of uric acid in the blood stream. New research is proving that the answer to controlling your gout isn't reducing the amount of purines in your diet, but monitoring the HFCS and carbohydrates you consume, as well as keeping your blood sugar under control. Mr. Thomas addresses this new research fully and explains it so that it makes sense. He also includes some very good recipes that help you start changing the way you eat. Please watch the video that Mr. Thomas has prepared which explains The Gout Solution fully. You won't be disappointed.

Gout Natural Remedies - Turmeric for Gout

Here's an article I wrote earlier this month for Scribd. Turmeric is such an important remedy for treating gout, I wanted to repeat it here so you wouldn't miss out on this information. ---Renee

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric (curcuma langa), a native of tropical South Asia, is a spice obtained from the root of a perennial plant, and is a member of the Ginger family. It is one of the main ingredients for curry in India. In fact, India is the largest producer and user of Turmeric. Other uses are as a colorant in American Mustard,  cheese, and butter. Turmeric has been used for over 4,000 years to treat illnesses, and  for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for treating arthritis.   Many cultures have used Turmeric as a gout natural remedy because of it's anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

How does it help gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis, called "gouty arthritis" and is closely related to rheumatoid arthritis. An ingredient in Turmeric called curcumin is the active ingredient that aids in gout pain relief, inflammation, and swelling. Here are some of the things curcumin can do:

• Curcumin inhibits the production of prostaglandins which are related to pain.
• It is a potent anti-inflammatory and offers natural gout pain relief.
• It is a powerful antioxidant and reduces the inflammatory enzyme called COX-2.  The inflammation that occurs when our white blood cells filght the monosodium oxate crystals is what leads to an attack of gout.
• A 2006 study UA College of Medicine stated that curcumin works as an anti-arthritic, and completely inhibited the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in laboratory mice.
• In another study at the University of Arizona, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis were created in lab mice. They were treated with curcumin which was found to be an effective treatment in preventing joint inflammation and reducing joint swelling.
• Curcumin causes the body's adrenal gland to produce more of the body's own cortisone, a powerful reliever of inflammation and pain, two of the worst symptoms during a gout attack.

How can I take Turmeric?

Turmeric can be purchased in health food stores online such as GNC, department stores such as WalMart and, of course, Amazon always has great prices. It is available as a fluid extract, capsules, or a tincture. A lot of blends include Bromelain which aids in absorption and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Be sure buy a product with high levels of curcuminoids. The powder can also be used in your cooking. A half teaspoon added to an egg white omelette colors it nicely and you don't even miss the egg yolks. A pinch added to egg salad also renders a nice color. Of course, most curry recipe use Turmeric. You can easily find recipes online and start incorporating Turmeric into your diet.

Two Recipes for Delicious Tea

These recipes are my favorites.  I drink one or the other each day.   One uses Turmeric alone and the other uses Turmeric and Ginger. Both are good for detoxification and they taste wonderful. Both recipes follow the same procedure, so I've only listed the instructions after the second recipe.

Recipe #1

2 cups of water 1/2 teaspoon powder Turmeric 1/2 teaspoon powdered Ginger 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup or Honey Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Recipe #2

4 cups of water 1 Tablespoon of powdered Turmeric Lemon (optional) Honey (optional)

Instructions for both recipes:

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and add the Turmeric (and Ginger).
3. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea with a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
5. Add the Honey or Maple Syrup and lemon.
6. Stir and enjoy!

Precautions:

The only people who shouldn't use Turmeric are people with gallstones, people with bile duct obstruction, people taking a blood thinner such as coumadin, people taking drugs to reduce stomach acid, and pregnant women.

How much should I take?

Here are some recommended dosages I found online.  If you're taking one of the supplements, such as the capsules, take 400-600 mg three times a day; for the fluid extract, take 30-90 drops each day; for the tincture, take 15-30 drops four times each day.

The Impact of Fructose on Uric Acid Levels

The following post is from Dr. Joseph Mercola and is based on an interview he had on May 18, 2010 with Dr. Richard J Johnson. I consider it a very serious subject and wanted you to have this information. . . Renée Dr. Richard Johnson is the chief of the division of kidney disease and hypertension at the University of Colorado, and author of  The Sugar Fix, one of the best books on the market on the dangers of fructose. As one of the physicians on the cutting edge of sugar metabolism research today, his focus is on how the overabundance of sugar in the American diet -- particularly fructose -- is causing obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and a number of other health problems. Sources:  Video Transcript

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Fructose has become one of my newest health passions for a number of reasons. It is really not well understood how pervasive a negative influence this sugar has on people’s health, but even more importantly, it is something that we can easily change, by influencing  the food industry to replace it with something healthier. One of the leading researchers in this field is Richard Johnson, MD who the chief of the division of kidney disease and hypertension at the University of Colorado.   I’ve previously interviewed Dr. Johnson about his research into the health dangers of fructose, specifically how fructose causes high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Here, we continue this discussion, and Dr. Johnson also shares new details of the research he’s been involved with since the last interview. An interesting aside is that at the end of this interview, I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that I had written some of the articles on fructose that he reviewed when he first decided to researched this topic. It really gave me great joy to know that all the hard work and effort I have put in over the years really is making a difference, not only getting people healthy, but also motivating high integrity scientists to do the right thing. Additionally, Dr. Johnson actually endorses Splenda in his book, The Sugar Fix: The High-Fructose Fallout That Is Making You Fat and Sick, which was written prior to us getting to know each other, but I recently sent him my book Sweet Deception: Why Splenda, NutraSweet, and the FDA May Be Hazardous to Your Health, which outlines the many dangers of artificial sweeteners. He’s a true physician and was eager to review the material and update his knowledge on the subject. There aren’t many doctors out there with this type of integrity. I really like Dr. Johnson and believe he’s an authentically well-intentioned good guy. It is not often that a health researcher can open up my eyes to a completely novel and new risk factor for health, as he did with uric acid and fructose, and I will always be grateful to him for that and for his willingness to enlighten us in these interviews.

Uric Acid as a Marker for Fructose Toxicity

One of the surprising facts discussed in our first interview was how detrimental the impact of fructose is on your uric acid levels. It appears as though that process is essential to the damage that fructose causes, and it’s actually an excellent marker for toxicity from fructose. According to the latest research in this area, the safest range of uric acid is between 3 and 5.5 milligrams per deciliter, and there appears to be a steady relationship between uric acid levels and blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, even down to the range of 3 to 4 mg/dl. Dr. Johnson suggests that the ideal uric acid level is probably around 4 mg/dl for men and 3.5 mg/dl for women. This is actually the only major biochemical marker that I need to optimize at this point in my life, which  most likely suggests that I am particularly sensitive to fructose intake and that it’s best for me to keep my levels as low as possible. This is most likely due to genetics and would explain why most of my paternal relatives have, or have died from, diabetes. That side of the family is most likely particularly sensitive to fructose. So I would STRONGLY encourage everyone to have their uric acid level checked to find out how sensitive you are to fructose. (I’ll discuss this strategy further, later in this article.) As you know, two-thirds of the US population is overweight, and most of these people likely have uric acid levels well above 5.5. Some may even be closer to 10 or above. Dr. Johnson has developed a program to help people optimize their uric acid levels, and the key step in this program is complete elimination of fructose.

Results of the Latest Clinical Trial

“We’ve just finished a clinical trial where we gave a low fructose diet to overweight and obese adults from Mexico City.” Dr. Johnson says. “We tried two different low fructose diets, but first, before we go into that, we think that the effects of fructose are independent of its energy intake. So that although sugar -- which contains fructose and high fructose corn syrup -- although there is a caloric component, we think that the effects of fructose are not specifically related to the calories but rather to its mechanism, of which uric acid is driving part. … [Uric acid levels] being too high seems to really increase the risk for diabetes and high blood pressure, kidney disease and obesity. And in fact, there are more and more papers coming out showing that connection.”

One of the questions that Dr. Johnson sought to answer in his latest trial was whether or not you need to reduce ALL fructose in your diet, or just reduce the fructose primarily in added sugars like high fructose corn syrup and table sugar. After comparing the two low fructose diets -- one that was strictly low fructose, and the other that had low fructose but allowed natural fruits – they discovered that both diets had remarkable effects in reducing metabolic syndrome. Both diets improved triglycerides, insulin resistance and blood pressure.

Revisiting Fruit Consumption

So it appears as though whole fruits, even though they contain fructose, may not be nearly as problematic as fructose from added sugars. One of the reasons for this is believed to be because whole fruits contain high amounts of natural antioxidants, as well as other synergistic compounds that may help counter the detrimental effects of fructose. The key here though is WHOLE fruits. Fruit juice typically contains very high concentrations of fructose, which will cause your insulin to spike and may counter the benefits of the antioxidants. Previous studies have already clearly demonstrated that drinking large amounts of juice dramatically increases your risk of obesity.

“When I originally wrote my book, I was concerned that if you eat large amounts even of natural fruits you could get into trouble,”Johnson says, “and I have had cases where people were eating very large amounts of natural fruits. When I cut it out or reduced it, they’ve had dramatic weight loss. So I’ve had a number of people like this who are eating almost a pure fruit diet, and I don’t think that that’s particularly good, but I think that the normal individual eating two to four natural fruits a day probably is going to be fine.”

I do remain convinced that many people, especially those that have insulin resistance, such as those with:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Overweight

should be particularly careful about limiting their fructose from fruit to 15 grams per day or less.  However the NEW appreciation is that if you have your uric acid level checked and have a level of 4 for men, or 3.5 for women, you probably are at a very low risk for fructose toxicity and can be  more liberal with these limits. The higher your uric acid though, the more you need to limit or even avoid fructose until your uric acid level normalizes.

Fruit Serving Size Grams of Fructose Limes 1 medium 0 Lemons 1 medium 0.6 Cranberries 1 cup 0.7 Passion fruit 1 medium 0.9 Prune 1 medium 1.2 Apricot 1 medium 1.3 Guava 2 medium 2.2 Date (Deglet Noor style) 1 medium 2.6 Cantaloupe 1/8 of med. melon 2.8 Raspberries 1 cup 3.0 Clementine 1 medium 3.4 Kiwifruit 1 medium 3.4 Blackberries 1 cup 3.5 Star fruit 1 medium 3.6 Cherries, sweet 10 3.8 Strawberries 1 cup 3.8 Cherries, sour 1 cup 4.0 Pineapple 1 slice (3.5" x .75") 4.0 Grapefruit, pink or red 1/2 medium 4.3

Fruit Serving Size Grams of Fructose Boysenberries 1 cup 4.6 Tangerine/mandarin orange 1 medium 4.8 Nectarine 1 medium 5.4 Peach 1 medium 5.9 Orange (navel) 1 medium 6.1 Papaya 1/2 medium 6.3 Honeydew 1/8 of med. melon 6.7 Banana 1 medium 7.1 Blueberries 1 cup 7.4 Date (Medjool) 1 medium 7.7 Apple (composite) 1 medium 9.5 Persimmon 1 medium 10.6 Watermelon 1/16 med. melon 11.3 Pear 1 medium 11.8 Raisins 1/4 cup 12.3 Grapes, seedless (green or red) 1 cup 12.4 Mango 1/2 medium 16.2 Apricots, dried 1 cup 16.4 Figs, dried 1 cup 23.0

A Novel Idea -- Using Uric Acid as a Marker of Susceptibility to Fructose Damage

Going back to the issue of genetic variability, it seems that some people may be able to process fructose more efficiently, and the key to assess this susceptibility to fructose damage  lies in evaluating your uric acid levels. Dr. Johnson agrees that using uric acid levels as a marker to identify your susceptibility could be a reasonable approach. So, for example, if you’re passionate about fruit and typically eat large amounts of fruit, but have a uric acid level above 5 (or better yet, 4 if you’re a man, and 3.5 if you’re a woman), then you may want to consider lowering your fruit consumption until you’re able to optimize your uric acid levels.

“We have some evidence from our laboratory that uric acid actually regulates the sensitivity to fructose,” Johnson says. “So the higher your uric acid, the more sensitive you are to the effects of fructose. … So I agree with you. If you measure your serum uric acid and it’s very significantly high, you probably will get into more trouble with fruit juices and large amounts of fruit than other individuals would. That seems to be the take home message from our current research.”

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that not all fruit juices are created equal. Most commercial juices contain a minimal amount of actual fruit juice and are comprised mainly of added sugars like high fructose corn syrup and artificial or “natural” flavor additives. These kinds of juices have no redeeming value and are best avoided entirely. However, if you juice your own fruits, you may also want to keep in mind that different fruits contain varying amounts of fructose and antioxidants.

“For example, pear juice and apple juice is very, very low in vitamin C but very, very high in fructose,” Johnson says, “ and so those particular kinds of juices maybe worse than orange juice or grapefruit juice that have high amount of vitamin C. Now, apples contain other compounds like quercetin, which is an antioxidant that may block some of fructose’s effects. So, you know, the verdict is still out in terms of which juice is better and which juice is worse. But in general, apple juice and pear juice, I would be more concerned about those types of juices because they are very, very high in fructose and relatively low in antioxidants.”

Is Glucose a Safer Alternative Sweetener?

Although you cannot buy “glucose” commercially, it’s available under the name of “dextrose.” It’s relatively inexpensive, priced at about a dollar a pound. It’s not as sweet as table sugar or fructose, but it also doesn’t seem to cause the same health problems – at least for those who are not diabetic or insulin resistant. Dr. Johnson explains:

“It is absolutely true that if you take a laboratory animal and you feed it glucose or dextrose or starch, it will not get into trouble. It will stay skinny. It will stay healthy.  Rice diets are high in starch and historically have been associated with being lean. In contrast, if you give sugar or fructose to an animal, they’ll rapidly develop features of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and so forth. And you can pair-feed animals, so one animal gets exactly the same number of calories as the other one, but it’s only the sucrose- or sugar- or fructose-fed animals that develop the features of metabolic syndrome. This makes one believe that starches safe, and this is in fact what I wrote in the book. Now, as we’ve done more studies, (obviously if you’re a diabetic, glucose is not good because in diabetes you cannot handle glucose metabolism)… one of the things that we’re just discovering in the laboratory -- actually it’s been known but we’re trying to figure out how important it is -- people who are diabetic, and people who are severely insulin resistant… can make fructose from the glucose through a pathway called “the polyol pathway.” We are now studying it and we do think that there is an endogenous fructose pathway. We don’t know how important it is yet, but we do know that you can make fructose from glucose, especially if you’re diabetic or if you’re severely insulin resistant. Since a lot of people who are very, very overweight and are trying to lose weight, some of them can be insulin resistant. This does throw a new twist into the story… We’re trying to figure out the impact of this. But certainly if you’re not insulin resistant, dextrose or starch is going to be good.”

According to Dr. Johnson’s data, which he claims is “unequivocal,” starch and dextrose (glucose) does NOT cause obesity or diabetes, whereas fructose does. Interestingly, animal studies have discovered that if an animal eats lots of fructose, over time they become diabetic. Part of this process, however, is that once they become insulin resistant, they activate the polyol pathway and begin to make fructose from other sources of food as well! This is quite remarkable, and a strong testament to the need to severely limit your fructose intake. It’s also offers an explanation for how and why the obesity epidemic has flourished the way it has since the introduction of HFCS into most of our processed foods.

“It’s a little bit more complicated than we had originally thought,” Johnson says, “but the bottom line is: If you’re trying to avoid gaining weight; if you’re trying to avoid becoming obese or diabetic, the best thing you can do is to cut back on foods that raise uric acid, particularly sugar, fructose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). That’s by far the best approach. Starch in general appears to be safe unless you’re severely insulin resistant, in which case perhaps isn’t quite as safe as we had originally thought.”

Defining Insulin Resistance

Ideally you’ll want to have a fasting insulin level below 2. In addition, Dr. Johnson recommends using a simple glucose test to check your fasting glucose.

“The fasting glucose, under 100, suggests that you’re not insulin resistant,” he says. “If your fasting glucose is between 100 and 125 mg/dl, you probably are insulin resistant to a mild extent, or you have impaired glucose tolerance. You have what we would call mild insulin resistance and slightly elevated glucose levels for what you would expect.”

I agree with Dr. Johnson that this is typically true, however it’s still possible to have low fasting glucose yet have significantly elevated insulin levels. Dr. Johnson explains: “Yes, if you have hyperinsulinemia, in general what happens is that as you become insulin resistant, your insulin levels go up to help keep your blood sugar down. So if you have a particularly robust insulin response, you could keep your glucose in the normal range for some time.” So, in this case, you’re essentially pre-diabetic and need to take steps to improve your insulin sensitivity, and the most potent way is to reduce or eliminate fructose.

A Word on Agave

I got a lot of push-back after I published my report on agave, which many health conscious people believe is a safe, all-natural, healthy sweetener. However, agave can contain anywhere between 55 to 90 percent fructose! Some companies were very upset with our article and refuted the information so much so that we actually purchased three of the most popular “natural” agave products and had them independently tested, at our expense, at a commercial laboratory. The results came back last week and they support what I said, that they were high in fructose. The range was 59 to 67 percent fructose. I am in the process of writing an entire report on it that should be published in the next few weeks. Fructose content is also high in honey, which contains about 70 percent . In addition, most of the commercial supplies of agave are processed in a way that’s not too dissimilar to the processing of high fructose corn syrup.

“We have not done any specific research with agave or with honey,” Johnson says. “But I do believe that those two compounds, because they’re so high in fructose, probably will engage the same pathways that we see when we give fructose or sugar to animals. So I would not recommend those as sweeteners to use daily.”

Learn More…

I strongly recommend you listen to this interview in its entirety, or read through the TRANSCRIPT. In it, Dr. Johnson also discusses the potential benefits, as well as the risks, of using the drug allopurinol (traditionally used to lower uric acid levels in patients with severe gout) to treat heart disease, diabetes and even obesity. We also discuss the lifestyle adjustments that can work together synergistically to optimize your health benefits, and delve into two additional studies that Dr. Johnson recently submitted to two prestigious scientific journals. I have written about the dangers of sugar for a long time, and of course, variables like exercise and calorie intake play a role in obesity, but I am fully convinced that if we can educate the public about the primary role fructose holds in creating obesity, we can actually reverse and eventually eliminate the obesity epidemic. So please, keep learning, and keep sharing this information with your family and friends. I also highly recommend reading Dr. Johnson’s book, The Sugar Fix: The High-Fructose Fallout That Is Making You Fat and Sick, as it offers a real solution to several devastating health problems. It even includes over 30 different low-fructose recipes to help you get down to business. The trend will not magically reverse itself – it will require each and every one of you to become educated, savvy consumers, and it will require that you bring back home cooking; using fresh, whole, organic foods.

Treating Gout with Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, Part 1

A six-week program to relieve gout suffering using diet, essential oils and aromatherapy

Part 1 - The First Two Weeks

This post will be the first of three that outline how you can greatly improve your problems with gout.  The program is in 2-week segements and we will cover the first two weeks in this post.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the concentrated essences of flowers, fruits, herbs, and plants, and have been proven to be extremely potent when used medicinally. For hundreds of years, all around the world, essential oils and aromatherapy have been used successfully in the treatment of many adverse conditions, and gout pain relief is one of them.

What Oils Will We Use?

The essential oils we'll be using during the first two weeks are Fennel, Cypress, and Juniper, and are great for treating gout. Here is a brief explanation of what each of the oils does: Fennel Fennel has a long list of properties that benefit the health.  The properties that help with gout are as follows:

• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation.
• Depurative - a detoxification alterative which purifies the blood. Most alteratives also promote cleaning action of the spleen, liver, kidneys, and bowels.  Alteratives typically produce a gradual, beneficial change in the body, and restore the body to normal functioning.
• Diuretic - aids in the elimination of toxins in the body by increasing urine flow. This helps flush the uric acid and monosodium urate crystals out of your system.
• Stimulant - induces temporary improvements in physial function. For example, a stimulant  can promote enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion.
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs.

Cypress Cypress has the following properties:

• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation
• Anti-rheumatic - prevents and/or relieves chronic rheumatic pain and swelling. Gout has been associated with rheumatic arthritis and is often called "gouty arthritis."
• Diuretic - aids in the elimination of toxins in the body by increasing urine flow. This helps flush the uric acid and monosodium urate crystals out of your system.
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs.

Juniper Juniper essential oil promotes elimination of uric acid, and helps cleanse the blood.  It's properties are:

• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation
• Anti rheumatic - prevents and/or relieves chronic rheumatic pain and swelling. Gout has been associated with rheumatic arthritis and is often called "gouty arthritis."
• Diuretic - aids in the elimination of toxins in the body by increasing urine flow. This helps flush the uric acid and monosodium urate crystals out of your system.
• Tonic- helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs.

These are the three essential oils we will be using during the first two weeks.

The First Two Weeks

The focus for the first two weeks is detoxifying your body and flushing out the excess uric acid and monosodium urate crystals which are responsible for your gout pain. These are the steps: 1.  The first thing you must do is eliminate the foods from your diet that are prone to bring on an attack of gout.  These include:

• Alcohol, especially beer
• Caffein drinks
• Chocolate
• Red meat
• Pork
• Lamb
• Processed meats, such as bacon and hot dogs
• Shellfish/seafood
• Anything made with yeast, such as bread

2.  It's always wise, if you are subject to gout attacks, to drink adequate amounts of water each day.  This helps flush the uric acid from your system and may prevent a gout attack.  So, make sure you drink a lot of water each day.  It's really not that hard.  If you ask yourself, "Can I drink 1/2 a cup of water every hour of the day?", the answer will be "Yes, I can do that." 3.  Take the following vitamins, in additional to a Multi-Vitamin Supplement:

• 1,000 mg of Vitamin C
• 250 mg of Vitamin E
• B-Complex Supplement
• Beta-Carotene
• Fish Oil Capsules.

4. Make a blend of the three essential oils as follows:

• Fennel.....30 drops
• Cypress..16 drops
• Juniper...10 drops

You can usually buy a small, brown glass bottle that has a dropper, or a plug like the one in the essential oil bottle,from the pharmacist.  If you can't find one, you should be able to find one of those empty plastic bottles that people buy to put shampoo in when they travel.  They usually have a plug in the top that would allow you to dispense the essential oil blend drop by drop.  If you do use the plastic bottle, keep it wrapped in a dark cloth or bag so it doesn't get exposed to the sun. 5.  Each day take a warm bath to which you've added one cup of Epsom Salts, and four (4) drops of your essential oil blend. Follow this routine for the full two weeks.  The next post will have the steps for the second two weeks. I have put together a list with the items you will need for the first two weeks from amazon.com.  I have found their prices to be better than those at a health food store.  Click Essential Oils For Weeks 1 & 2 to purchase the items.  You have the option of purchasing them individually so, if you already have some, it is not necessary to buy them again!

Treating Gout with Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, Part 2

PART 2 - Treating Gout - The Second Two Weeks

A six-week program for treating gout suffering using diet, essential oils and aromatherapy

This post will be the second of three that outline how you can greatly improve your problems with gout. The program is in 2-week segments and we will cover the second two weeks in this post.  If you missed the first two weeks, you will find them here: Treating Gout with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Part One.

A Recap - What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the concentrated essences of flowers, fruits, herbs, and plants, and have been proven to be extremely potent when used medicinally. For hundreds of years, all around the world, essential oils and aromatherapy have been used successfully in the treatment of many adverse conditions, and gout pain relief is one of them.  Gout and aromatherapy have been companions for many years. The essential oils we will be using during the second two weeks are Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Lemon Eucalyptus, and Peppermint, all of which are very helpful in treating gout. photo credit: Juan Barrio Here is a brief explanation of what each of these oils does:

Lavender

Lavender is my favorite essential oil.  It's fantastic for stress relief.  Just take a sniff from the bottle and instantly relax.  It's the only essential oil you can put undiluted directly on your skin.  Here are the properties that help with gout:

• Analgesic - helps deaden pain
• Antidepressant - reduces or prevents depression
• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation
• Antirheumatic - prevents and/or relieves rheumatic pain and swelling.  Remember, gout is a form of arthritis called "gouty arthritis."
• Antinfectious - helps detoxify the body
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs

Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile has the follow qualities:

• Antispasmodic - relief from spasms and cramps
• Analgesic - helps deaden pain
• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs

Lemon Eucalyptus

This delightful, lemon scented essential oil aids gout in the following ways:

• Antimicrobial - aids the body in strengthening resistance to infective organisms
• Antiseptic - fights germs/infections
• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation
• Bactericidal - destroys bacteria

Peppermint

This essential oil is amazing for all the things it can help with in treating gout.  And, it smells just wonderful!  Put 8 drops in 2 cups of water in a sprayer and use it to refresh your home! Here are the benefits for gout:

• Analgesic - helps deaden pain
• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation
• Antiseptic - fights germs/infections
• Antispasmodic - relief from spasms and cramps
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs
• Febrifuge - reduces fever
• Immune Stimulant - stimulates the circulatory system
• Protects the Liver

We will also be using Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil as the carrier oils for massaging. Sweet Almond Oil is made from the kernel and contains glucosides, minerals, and vitamins, and is rich in protein.  It relieves soreness and inflammation. Jojoba Oil is really a wax and never becomes rancid.  It contains protein, minerals, and a substance that mimics collagen.  It is excellent on inflammed skins and is very penetrative, so it gets the essential oils to the joint quickly.

The Second Two Weeks, What to Do:

The first step is to continue to follow the diet outlined in Part 1.  Here is a recap: 1.  Eliminate these foodsd from your diet because they can bring on an attack of gout:

• Alcohol, especially beer because it contains YEAST
• Caffein drinks
• Chocolate
• Red Meat
• Port
• Lamb
• Processed meats, such as bacon and hot dogs
• Shellfish/seafood
• Anything made with yeast, such as bread

2.  If you are subject to gout attacks (even if you're not!) drink adequate amounts of water each day.  This helps flush the uric acid from your system. 3.  Take the following vitamins in addition to a Multi-Vitamin Supplement:

• 1,000 mg of Vitamin C
• 250 mg of Vitamin E
• B-Complex Supplement
• Beta-Carotene
• Fish Oil Capsules

Here's the treatment plan for this two weeks: 4.  Make a blend of the three essential oils as follows.  Put the blend in a separate bottle and keep it in a dark place:

• Lavender..................10 drops
• Lemon Eucalyptus....30 drops
• Roman Chamomile....16 drops

5.  Each day take a warm bath to which you've added one cup of Epsom Salts and four (4) drops of your Essential Oil Blend. 6.  Massage your whole body each morning and evening with the following Essential Oils mixed with 2 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil and 2 teaspoons Jojoba Oil:

• Roman Chamomile..............8 drops
• Lavender...........................10 drops
• Peppermint.........................2 drops
• Lemon Eucalyptus..............8 drops

Follow this plan for the next two weeks.  In the next post I will give you the steps and oils for the third, and final, two weeks, and  a Maintenance Plan. I have put together a list with the items you will need for the second two weeks from amazon.com.  I have found that their prices are better than at a Health Food Store. Click Essential Oils for Weeks 3 & 4 to purchase these items.  As before, you have the option of purchasing them individually so, if you already have some, it is not necessary to buy them again!

Treating Gout with Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, Part 3

PART 3 - Treating gout - the Third Two Weeks

A six-week program for treating gout using diet, essential oils, and aromatherapy

This post will be the third of three that outlines how you can greatly improve your problems with gout. The program is in 2-week segments and we will cover the third two weeks in this post. If you missed the first two parts, you will find them here: Treating Gout with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Part 1 and Treating Gout with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Part 2.

A Recap - What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the concentrated essences of flowers, fruits, herbs, and plants, and have been proven to be extremely potent when used medicinally, and is one of the holistic remedies for gout. For hundreds of years, all around the world, essential oils and aromatherapy have been used successfully in the treatment of many adverse conditions, and gout pain relief is one of them. Gout and aromatherapy have been companions for many years. photo credit: Ozchin The essential oils we will be using during the third two weeks are Lavender, Ginger, Rosemary, and Geranium, all of which are very helpful in treating gout. Here is a brief explanation of what each of these oils does:

Lavender

Lavender is my favorite essential oil. It's fantastic for stress relief. Just take a sniff from the bottle and instantly relax. It's the only essential oil you can put undiluted directly on your skin. Here are the properties that help with gout:

• Analgesic - helps deaden pain
• Antidepressant - reduces or prevents depression
• Anti-inflammatory - reduces swelling and inflammation
• Antirheumatic - prevents and/or relieves rheumatic pain and swelling. Remember, gout is a form of arthritis called "gouty arthritis."
• Antinfectious - helps detoxify the body
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs

Ginger

Gout, or any form of rheumatism or arthritis,  can be worse in damp weather.  Ginger has warming properties that add a spicy, warming, soothing sensation that is so necessary during cold and damp weather, and also stimulates the circulation in the areas where this is needed. Here are the features of Ginger that can help with gout:

• Analgesic - numbs pain, which helps during a gout attack;
• Anti-inflammatory - alleviates swelling and inflammation through circulatory action, and offers gout pain relief;
• Antiseptic - fights germs and infections;
• Antispasmodic - relieves spasms and cramps and benefits relaxation and calmness;
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs;
• Diaphoretic - promotes perspiration, helping skin eliminate waste;
• Warming.

Rosemary

Rosemary creates circulation and warmth,  soothing sore muscles,  aches and pains.

Here are the ways Rosemary can help you in treating gout:

• Analgesic - numbs pain, which helps during a gout attack;
• Anti-inflammatory - alleviates swelling and inflammation through circulatory action, and offers gout pain relief;
• Anti rheumatic - prevents and/or relieves rheumatic pain and swelling. Gout has been associated with rheumatic arthritis and is often called "gouty arthritis";
• Antiseptic - fights germs and infections;
• Restorative, Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs;
• Stimulant - induces temporary improvements in physical function.  For example, a stimulant can promote enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion.

I always find that putting a couple of drops of Rosemary in my shampoo makes my hair stronger.  This doesn't have anything to do with gout, but I'm passing it along for the ladies!

Geranium

Geranium is a lovely essential oil that has the following properties to help with gout pain, and to prevent a gout attack:

• Antidepressant - aids in alleviating and preventing depression;
• Antiseptic - fights germs and infections;
• Anti-inflammatory - alleviates swelling and inflammation through circulatory action, and offers gout pain relief;
• Antispasmodic - relieves spasms and cramps and benefits relaxation and calmness;
• Bactericidal - destructive to bacteria;
• Diuretic - aids in the elimination of toxins in the body by increasing urine flow.  This helps flush the uric acid and monosodium urate crystals out of your system;
• Cicatrisant - cell-regenerative for skin, healing for scars;
• Tonic - helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs.

Again, we will be using Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil as the carrier oils for massaging. Sweet Almond Oil is made from the kernel and contains glucosides, minerals, and vitamins, and is rich in protein. It relieves soreness and inflammation. Jojoba Oil is really a wax and never becomes rancid. It contains protein, minerals, and a substance that mimics collagen. It is excellent on inflamed skins and is very penetrative, so it gets the essential oils to the joint quickly.

The Third Two Weeks, What to Do:

The first step is to continue to follow the diet outlined in Part 1.   Here is a recap: 1. Eliminate these foods from your diet because they can bring on an attack of gout:

• Alcohol, especially beer because it contains YEAST
• Caffein drinks
• Chocolate
• Red Meat
• Port
• Lamb
• Processed meats, such as bacon and hot dogs
• Shellfish/seafood
• Anything made with yeast, such as bread

2. If you are subject to gout attacks (even if you're not!) drink adequate amounts of water each day. This helps flush the uric acid from your system. 3. Take the following vitamins in addition to a Multi-Vitamin Supplement:

• 1,000 mg of Vitamin C
• 250 mg of Vitamin E
• B-Complex Supplement
• Beta-Carotene
• Fish Oil Capsules

Here's the treatment plan for this two weeks

4. Make a blend of these three essential oils as follows. Put the blend in a separate bottle and keep it in a dark place:

• Ginger..................8 drops
• Rosemary............15 drops
• Geranium..............5 drops

5. During this two weeks, you will alternate between the above blend, and the blend from Part 2. Each day take a warm bath to which you've added four (4) drops of your Essential Oil Blend for that day. You do not add the Epsom Salts to your baths any longer. 6. Massage your whole body each morning and evening with the following Essential Oils mixed with 2 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil and 2 teaspoons Jojoba Oil:

• Rosemary.......................8 drops
• Lavender........................7 drops
• Geranium.......................10 drops
• Ginger............................3 drops

Follow this plan for the next two weeks. For maintenance, after the six weeks, make a blend of any combination of the essential oils you have used during this program and use 4 drops each day in a warm bath. At any time you feel it is necessary, you can repeat the complete 6-week program. I have put together a list with the items you will need for the third two weeks from amazon.com. I have found that their prices are better than at a Health Food Store. Click Essential Oils for Weeks 5 & 6 to purchase these items. As before, you have the option of purchasing them individually so, if you already have some, it is not necessary to buy them again!

Treatment for Gout - Prescription Drugs

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Prescription Drug Information for You

There are many prescription drugs used in the treatment for gout.  Here is a chart with the most common ones:

Name	Used for	Side Effects	Serious Side Effects
febuxostat/Uloric	lower uric acid levels by reducing the amount of uric acid produced by the body	nausea	Increases liver enzymes. Report these symptoms of liver disease: persistent nausea, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.
sulfinpyrazone /Anturane	helps kidneys get rid of uric acid; lowers uric acid levels	nausea, heartburn; dizziness; ringing in the ears	lower back pain; swelling of the arms/legs /feet; difficult or painful urination; change in amount/color of urine
probenecid/Benemid, Parbenem, Probalan	helps kidneys get rid of uric acid; lowers uric acid levels	dizziness
colchicine	prevent or treat gout attacks; decreases swelling and lessens build up of uric acid crystals
colchicine-probenecide combination	Probenecid prevents gout or gouty arthritis by speeding up removal or uric acid in kidneys; colchicine decreases swelling and lessens build up of uric acid crystals	nausea; cramping; diarrhea; loss of appetite; dizziness; hair loss; headache; vomiting; frequent urination
allopurinol/Lopurin, Zurinol, Zyloprim	treat gout and kidney stones; prevents increase in uric acid levels	drowsiness

Here are some other things to keep in mind when taking prescription drugs:

• Read the leaflet that comes with your medication. If you have any questions, ask the pharmacist or your doctor;
• Take the medication at the same time each day;
• If your condition worsens or persists, contact your doct
• IMPORTANT: Be aware of the signs of an allergic reaction. These are: RASH, itching or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness; trouble breathing;
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to the prescription drug or to any other drugs;
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist of any other prescriptions you are taking, any non-prescription medications, or any herbal, homeopathic, Ayurvedic, Chinese medicine medications or treatments you are taking.

This is just a partial list of things you should watch out for and/or discuss with your doctor or pharmacist. There are many good websites online that can give you more comprehensive information about any prescription drugs your doctor may prescribe for you, such as Web MD Remember, it's YOUR health. You are "hiring" your doctor and other healthcare professionals to help you. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You have a right to know everything that has to do with your health.

Treating Gout with Stinging Nettles

Some Stinging Nettles History

Since before the days of Rome, people have been using Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica or Urtica urens) for treating gout (also known as "gouty arthritis"), arthritis, and rheumatism. The method they used was called flagellation or urtification. They would take a handful of the plant by the stems and "slap" the painful area repeatedly. The first time I heard Nettles used as a treatment for gout was by this method. This method decreases the original pain by reducing the level of inflammatory chemicals in the body and interfers with how the body sends pain signals to the brain.

What are Stinging Nettles?

The Stinging Nettle is a herbaceous shrub that grows worldwide. You may have had a tenacious patch of it in your yard at one time or another! Each Spring, it is one of the earliest plants to appear.  It grows well in nitrogen-rich soil, blooms between June and September, and can grow up to five feet in height. The stems are upright and rigid, it has heart shaped leaves which are finely toothed and tapered. The flowers  are yellow or pink and the entire plant is covered with tiny stiff hairs which release formic acid when touched, which is a skin irritant. The best time to harvest the young leaves, which are rich in iron, calcium and the Vitamins A and C, is in May or June.

How Stinging Nettles Help With Gout Pain Relief

• Used in a COMPRESS or CREAM it's good for treating joint pain;
• Chopped leaves can be applied topically to the painful area;
• INFUSIONS  made with fresh nettle leaves stimulate  circulation and cleanse the system;
• TINCTURES are used in combination with other herbs for joint pain; Compresses soaked in diluted tincture can be applied to painful joints;

The TEA has many uses, such as:

• Kidney and urinary system ailments;
• It aids in the discharge of metabolic wastes, such as uric acid crystals, which are a by-product of protein metabolism and, as they build up in the blood, they turn into monosodium urate crystals that lodge in the joints, causing extreme pain and inflammation.  Actually, the inflammation is caused by the body's own white blood cells that head for the area to "fight" off the crystals.
• It's a diuretic and flushes the toxins from your body;
• The tea has been used for centuries as a "Spring Tonic" to cleanse the blood, tone and purify the body, and replenish the body with nutrients.

Different Ways to Use Stinging Nettles

• Tea made with nettle tops can be used as a blood cleansing diuretic that also stimulates the formation of red blood cells;
• To prepare the tea,pour 2/3 cup of boiling water over 3 - 4 teaspoons of the dried leaves and steep for 3 - 5 minutes. Drink 3 - 4 cups a day
• It's great cooked up  like spinach or other leafy greens. It's flavor is pleasant and earthy flavor;
• An infusion can be made as follows: take 1/2 ounce of fresh nettle leaves to a pint of water. Pour boiling water over leaves a let stand for a short time.
• To make a tincture, add 4 ounces of water and 12 ounces of alcohol to 1-4 ounces of the powdered leaf or root. Let stand for 2 weeks. You may add a teaspoon of glycerin. After two weeks, drain off the liquid and put it in a bottle to use as needed.
• After harvesting, wash and cover with hot water for 20 minutes. This reduces their stinging power. Then used the "soak" water as a tea or a base for soup.

Available as. . .

Stinging nettle is available as dried leaf, freeze-dried leaf, extract, capsules, tinctures, infusions, and powder. You can also find the different Stinging Nettles products at good online sources for the such as GNC, WalMart, and Amazon is always a good source and usually has the best prices. In the Spring, you can harvest the fresh, tender leaves and dry them for use throughout the year.  Watch the video below for pointers on how to harvest the leaves.

Historical Uses

Besides being used by the Romans, the ancient Greeks used nettles to treat arthritis. 1st Century Greek physician, Dioscorides listed many uses for the plant, from the fresh, chopped leaves, to the juice, and cooked leaves. The Aztecs used it medicinally in Mexico. The Aztec Herbal of 1552 recommended using crushed nettles boiled in water to be used as a poultice for arthritis. Native Americans have long used it for urinary tract disorders.

How to Harvest Stinging Nettles

Burdock Root - An Herbal Gout Remedy

What Does It Do?

Burdock originated in Eurasia and Europe and was introduced to the United States by European Settlers. It is now widespread throughout the US, especially in the  northeast. It is a member of the thistle family (arctium Lappa), and can grow as tall as nine feet during its second year.  The flowers are purple, and the plant usually blooms between the months of June and October. The deep roots are brownish-green, and are the most important part of the plant used for medicinal purposes. Burdock roots and leaves have been used for years to help heal many conditions, among them gout.  Some of its beneficial properties are as follows -   it is diaphoretic (makes you sweat), diuretic (increases the flow of urine because of action on the kidneys),  an alterative (promotes gradual change to the organs it helps),  an aperient (laxative), and a depurative (detoxifies and purifies the system, especially the blood). It has antibacterial and antifungal properties,  is anti-inflammatory,  and helps get rid of free radicals. In one study, burdock root was found to protect the liver cells from damage from taking acetaminophen.  Acetaminophen is one of the main over-the-counter pain relievers suggested for gout sufferers. Another  study reported that burdock root can inhibit the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is the enzyme that produces uric acid.  This is the same method that medications, such as allupurinol and febuxostat reduce uric acid levels in the body.

What Does It Contain That Helps Gout?

One of the active components of burdock is sesquiterpene lactones, which are biologically active plant chemicals found in the essential oils of burdock, and have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Burdock also contains high amounts of the carbohydrate inulin (or fructosan), which is believed to correct irregularities of the immune system and reduces inflammation.

Who Recommends It?

Native American healers used burdock as a medicinal plant as a tonic and blood purifier, and as a treatment for gout. Herbalist, both American and English, acclaim burdock as an anti-inflammatory, blood purifier, and pain reliever, and have done so for over 200 years.  These three factors alone can aide in gout pain relief. English herbalists, during the Middle Ages, preferred burdock root to sarsaparilla for treating rheumatism.

How Does It Work for Gout?

Here is a summary of the ways burdock root can help gout sufferers:

• It helps flush uric acid from the system, shortening a gout attack
• It stimulates the liver
• It promotes persperation
• It acts as a blood purifier
• It helps the kidneys and liver eliminate waste
• It is believed to stimulate the gall bladder and encourage liver cells to regenerate
• It detoxifies the kidneys

How Should I Take It?

Joseph E. Meyers, in his book, The Herbalist, suggested preparing a tea with a teaspoon of the root to a cup of boiling water, and drinking one or two cups throughout day, cold, a mouthful at a time. It is also available in capsules from most health foods stores.

But Don't Do This!!

A folk remedy for treating gout, written about by Michael Weiner in his book, Weiner's Herbal, goes like this:

"Boil the [burdock] leaves in urine and bran until the liquid is almost gone; apply the sodden remains to the affected area."

Cautions:

The only cautions to using burdock are as follows: Since it is a diuretic, make sure to drink plenty of water when you use burdock. Keep your body hydrated. The lactones in burdock leaves can be irritating to the skin, so if you are harvesting fresh burdock, try not to handle the leaves. Women who are pregnant or nursing shouldn't take burdock because it can stimulate your uterus and cause a miscarriage. Diabetics should talk to their doctor before using burdock as it can cause hypoglycemia.

Essential Oils for Gout - A Reader's Question

Hi everyone, I had a very caring reader contact me to see if the essential oils for gout mentioned in this post "Treating Gout with Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, Part 1" could be used as a foot soak, spray, or in a cream. I was so pleased to get this question.  Here is my answer to her: To use this essential oil blend in a foot soak - which is an excellent idea - make the blend as described in the article. Put 2 drops of the blend in a bucket (or other container) of warm water to which your also added 1/4 - 1/2 cup epsom salts. Have the gentlemen soak their foot for twenty minutes or so. To use as a spray, buy one of those plant sprayers that hold about two cups and mix 8 drops of the blend with water in the spray bottle. Use as needed. I doubt the benefit will be as immediate as a soak, but if the painful joint is sprayed frequently, there could be some relief. I always use my blends in an oil base to massage on my body. In fact, starting with Week 2 of the Aromatherapy treatments, I give recipes for using the blends as a massage. Here's what to do: make the following blend and mix it with two Tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil and 2 teaspoons of Jojoba Oil. This oil can be used to frequently massage the foot, or other body part that is painful.

• Fennel…......15 drops
• Cypress........8 drops
• Juniper.........5 drops
• Peppermint.. .2 drops

Sweet Almond Oil is made from the kernel and contains glucosides, minerals, and vitamins, and is rich in protein. It relieves soreness and inflammation. Jojoba Oil is really a wax and never becomes rancid. It contains protein, minerals, and a substance that mimics collagen. It is excellent on inflammed skins and is very penetrative, so it gets the essential oils to the joint quickly. If you prefer a cream instead of an oil, you could buy a plain cream at the pharmacy and mix the essential oils with it. Or, if you want to make your own cream, use this recipe:

• Cocoa butter. . . . . . .1/2 ounce
• Beeswax. . . . . . . . . .1/2 ounce
• Almond Oil. . . . . . . . .2 TABLESPOONS
• Jojoba Oil . . . . . . . . .2 teaspoons
• Oil blend. . . . . . . . . .30 drops

Melt the cocoa butter and the beeswax in a double boiler and add the almond oil and jojoba oil. If you prefer, it can be made thinner by adjusting the amount of almond oil you use. Add the 30 drops of your oil blend and mix well. Good luck! The gentlemen you are helping are lucky to have someone like you - who cares about them - in their lives. Take care, Renée

Gout Remedies - Holistic Healing

What Does "Holistic" Mean?

The holistic approach to treating gout doesn't just concentrate on the pain in your big toe. It endeavors to bring wellness to your whole being. By this I mean, not only to your physical body, but to your emotions, mental health, and spiritual health as well. Holism maintains that your health is your responsibility based on choices you make each day. You are living a (w)holistic life if you balance the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual parts of your life, and you will enjoy optimum health.

How Can We Do This?

• To balance your physical needs, you must eat a healthy diet, maintain your ideal weight, exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes (if possible), and get enough sleep. All of these things are good for treating gout. Avoid the foods that are high in fat and purines. Learn which foods are part of a good diet for gout sufferers.

• Your emotional needs can be met by being loved and loving others, forgiving and accepting forgiveness, being happy and laughing (laughter is still the best medicine), and having relationships that are happy and full of joy, not only with others, but with yourself as well. If you stay relaxed and happy, you will have a life with much less stress.

• Your mental needs start with self-esteem. You must accept that you are a worthy person, which you are! You need to cultivate positive "self talk", and look on the positive side of any situation positively. If you do this, you will want to take the steps to wellness and a better, healthier life, free of gout pain.

• Your spiritual needs include periods of contemplation, perhaps meditation if you like to meditate, being open to your special creativity, and trusting implicitly to your intuitiveness. Listen to your body and your mind. They can tell you what you need.

Your wholeness and wellness depends on your being in balance in all of these different parts of you. By letting one part become unbalanced, such as being angry (emotional), you can end up having a bad headache (physical). To have complete wellness, all four aspects must be in harmony. We all know that stress is one of the main causes of gout. Learn relaxation techniques to handle your stress and you may be able to relieve or stop a gout attack from happening.

What Can You Do to Improve YOUR Health By Living a Holistic Lifestyle?

• Pay attention to how your body feels. How do you feel when you eat certain foods? Good? Bad? Listen to your body and respond to what it tells you.

• Pay attention to your emotions. What makes you happy, sad, loving, angry, afraid, depressed, connected. Chose to focus on the situations that bring you positive emotions.

• What do you think about? Are your thougts and "self talk" negative, brooding about the things that happened in the past, worrying about the future? Or do you have happy thoughts of joy? Learn to live in the moment and focus on joyful thing.

• How is your spiritual life. Do you take time out each day to sit quietly and contemplate the positive things in your life? Do you listen to your intuition? Intuition can be a very powerful tool to give you guidance for what's best in your life, and to allow your creativity to become strong. Listen to your intuition. Be aware of the things that bring you joy, a sense of rightness in the world, and inner peace.

If you follow these steps and start to make choices that will bring you wellness, you will see a big change in your life and well-being.

Treating Gout with Cherries

Hi Everyone! Since it's Cherry Season, I thought I'd move this Post back to the top to remind everyone how great cherries are for treating gout. I've been buying them from the farmer's market and putting them in the freezer in bags of 10! LOL All you have to do to freeze them is wash them. You can gently remove the stem if you want and you can even pit them, but that isn't necessary. Enjoy!

~~~Renée~~~

A preliminary study in 1950 proposed that eating cherries each day was helpful in relieving gout attacks and gout pain. Patients who consumed cherries, or cherry juice, had reduced levels of uric acid in their blood, and the inflammation around the joint improved. As we know, when the uric acid level in the blood becomes too high, it turns to monosodium urate crystals and settles around a joint. The body's white blood cells then attack the crystals, causing extreme pain and inflammation. So including tart cherries in your gout diet can be a good remedy for gout. I hope eating these luscious cherries while they're nice and fresh helps with your gout like it has mine! If you prefer a cherry extract or cherry concentrate, you can find them at the better health food websites such as GNC.

Foods That Cause Gout Also Cause Hypertension and Insulin Resistance

This is a very informative article by Dr. Mercola. In it he talks about URIC ACID and how a high uric acid level can lead to high blood pressure. As we know, high uric acid levels also lead to the creation of monosodium urate crystals which lodge in our joints and tissues and, when our white blood cells fight of the crystals, we have a major gout attack! The article offers some other good health tips as well,so please read through it and put some of these tips into action to improve your health and reduce your risk of having a gout attack. ~~~Renée~~~

Eliminate This Everyday Food and Watch Your High Blood Pressure Plunge

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

It’s important to understand that uncontrolled high blood pressure is a very serious health concern that can lead to heart disease and increases your risk of having a stroke. The good news though is that following a healthy nutrition plan, along with exercising and implementing effective stress reduction techniques will normalize blood pressure in most people. So please review the guidelines below to learn more if you or someone you know is affected by high blood pressure. It's actually an easily treated condition, but one that can cause serious damage to your health if it's ignored.

Your Diet Will Raise or Lower Your Blood Pressure

Are you on a high grain, low fat regimen? If so, I have bad news for you, because this nutritional combination is a prescription for hypertension and can absolutely devastate your health. Groundbreaking research published in 1998 in the journal Diabetes reported that nearly two-thirds of the test subjects who were insulin resistant (IR) also had high blood pressure, and insulin resistance is directly attributable to a high sugar, high grain diet along with insufficient amounts of exercise. So, chances are that if you have hypertension, you also have poorly controlled blood sugar levels because these two problems often go hand in hand. As your insulin level elevates, so does your blood pressure... As explained by Dr. Rosedale, insulin stores magnesium, but if your insulin receptors are blunted and your cells grow resistant to insulin, you can’t store magnesium so it passes out of your body through urination. Magnesium stored in your cells relaxes muscles. If your magnesium level is too low, your blood vessels will constrict rather than relax, which will raise your blood pressure and decrease your energy level. Insulin also affects your blood pressure by causing your body to retain sodium. Sodium retention causes fluid retention. Fluid retention in turn causes high blood pressure, and can ultimately lead to congestive heart failure. If your hypertension is the direct result of an out-of-control blood sugar level, then normalizing your blood sugar levels will also bring your blood pressure readings into the healthy range.

Fructose Can CauseYour Blood Pressure to Skyrocket

The first thing you need to do is remove all grains and sugars, particularly fructose, from your diet until both your weight and your blood pressure have normalized. Eating sugars and grains -- including any type of bread, pasta, corn, potatoes, or rice -- will cause your insulin levels, and your blood pressure, to remain elevated. A study published earlier this year discovered that those who consumed 74 grams or more per day of fructose (the equivalent of about 2.5 sugary drinks) had a 77 percent greater risk of having blood pressure levels of 160/100 mmHg. (For comparison, a normal blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mmHg.) Consuming 74 grams or more of fructose daily also increased the risk of a 135/85 blood pressure reading by 26 percent, and 140/90 by 30 percent. This is significant because the average American now consumes 70 grams of fructose EVERY day! Fructose breaks down into a variety of waste products that are bad for your body, one of which is uric acid. Uric acid drives up your blood pressure by inhibiting the nitric oxide in your blood vessels. Nitric oxide helps your vessels maintain their elasticity, so nitric oxide suppression leads to increases in blood pressure. In fact, 17 out of 17 studies demonstrate that elevated uric acid levels lead to hypertension. My Recommended Fructose Allowance As a standard recommendation, I strongly advise keeping your TOTAL fructose consumption below 25 grams per day. Since the average 12-ounce can of soda contains 40 grams of sugar, at least half of which is fructose, this can of soda ALONE would exceed your daily allotment. In addition, most people would be wise to also limit the amount of fructose you get from fruit to 15 grams or less, because you’re virtually guaranteed to consume “hidden” sources of fructose (typically in the form of high fructose corn syrup) from most beverages and just about any processed food you eat. Fifteen grams of fructose is not much -- it represents two bananas, one-third cup of raisins, or just two Medjool dates. In his book, The Sugar Fix, Dr. Johnson includes detailed tables showing the content of fructose in different foods.

Other Dietary Considerations

Eat right for your nutritional type -- Eating according to your nutritional type tends to normalize elevated blood pressures in the vast majority of people. In fact, when you address your nutritional type -- your unique biochemical needs, which are based on your specific genetics -- your health problems are addressed at the foundational level, and you are far more likely to achieve a permanent solution for regaining your health. I’ve made it easier and less expensive than ever to help you determine your nutritional type, by offering the entire nutritional typing test online, for FREE. We previously charged many thousands of people $30 to take this test, so please click here and take advantage of this offer.  FREE NUTRITIONAL TYPING TEST Normalize your omega 6:3 ratio -- Both omega-3 and omega-6 fats are essential for your health. Most Americans, however, are getting too much omega-6 in their diet and far too little omega-3. Consuming omega-3 fats is one of the best ways to re-sensitize your insulin receptors if you suffer from insulin resistance. Omega-6 fats are found in corn, soy, canola, safflower and sunflower oil. If you’re consuming a lot of these oils, you’ll want to avoid or limit them. Omega-3 fats are typically found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil and fish, with fish being by far the best source. Unfortunately, most fresh fish today contains dangerously high levels of mercury. Your best bet is to find a safe source of fish, or if this proves too difficult, supplement with a high quality Krill Oil, which has been found to be 48 times more potent than fish oil. Eliminate caffeine -- The connection between caffeine consumption and high blood pressure is not well understood, but there is ample evidence to indicate that if you have hypertension, coffee and other caffeinated drinks and foods can ex acerbate your condition. Caffeine is a drug, and while it’s entirely legal and widely consumed, it can have a powerful affect on your individual physiology. If you want to eliminate caffeine from your diet, try to do it gradually over a period of days or even weeks in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms like headaches.

Use Exercise as a Drug

Physical activity is by far one of the most potent “drugs” there is, and its side effects are exactly the kinds you want to experience. Regardless of the primary reason you start an exercise program, your efforts will be rewarded in countless other ways. A comprehensive exercise program seems to be very important in producing long-term benefits in people with high blood pressure. Depending on your physical condi tion when you embark on an exercise program, you may need to consult with a health care professional who can help you can increase to the intensity required to make a difference in lowering your insulin levels. Nearly every program should incorporate anaerobic sprint or burst-type exercises one to three times a week, as these have been shown to be even more effective than aerobic exercises at reducing your risk of dying from a heart attack. If you are insulin resistant, you’ll definitely want to include weight training in your exercise program. When you work individual muscle groups, you increase blood flow to those muscles. Good blood flow will increase your insulin sensitivity. If you are overweight with hypertension, you should engage in relatively intense exercise six to nine hours a week in order to decrease the sensitivity of your insulin receptors.

Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels

Believe it or not, the farther you live from the equator, the higher your risk of developing high blood pressure. And did you know that blood pressure is typically higher in winter months than during the summer? Sunlight actually affects blood pressure in several ways: Sun exposure causes your body to produce vitamin D. Lack of sunlight reduces your vitamin D stores and increases parathyroid hormone produc tion, which increases blood pressure. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to insulin resistance (IR) and Syndrome X (also known as Metabolic Syndrome), a group of health problems that can include IR, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, obesity, and high blood pressure. Vitamin D is also a negative inhibitor of your body’s renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which regulates blood pressure. If you’re vitamin D deficient, it can cause inappropriate activation of your RAS, which may lead to hypertension. Additionally, exposure to UV rays is thought to cause the release of endorphins, chemicals in your brain that produce feelings of euphoria and relief from pain. Endorphins naturally relieve stress, and stress management is an important factor in resolving hypertension. Exposure to appropriate amounts of safe sunlight is a basic requirement for your health, and not only to nor malize your blood pressure. Vitamin D helps systems and organs throughout your body function properly. Ideally, you’ll want to get your vitamin D through safe exposure to sunshine or a safe tanning bed, but vitamin D3 supplements can also be used. Please do NOT let your doctor give you a “prescription” vitamin D. That is vitamin D2, which is synthetic, and not nearly as beneficial as the real vitamin D, which is D3 (cholecalciferol). Keep in mind that if you decide to supplement with oral vitamin D3, you must carefully monitor your vitamin D blood levels to avoid overdosing. (This is why it is highly preferable to get your vitamin D through sun exposure since there is virtually no chance of overdosing.) One in three American adults have high blood pressure (hypertension), and just as many, if not more, battle emotional and mental stress on a day to day basis.

Are these two conditions connected?

You bet. As reported by ABC World News on September 16, 2010, one cardiologist believes the connection between stress and hypertension is undeniable, yet still does not receive the emphasis it deserves. In response, Dr. Kennedy developed a stress-relieving technique he calls “The 15 Minute Heart Cure,” which consists of a set of breathing- and creative visualization techniques that can be done anywhere, anytime. The technique is demonstrated in the ABC World News video above. By teaching your body to slow down and relax when stress hits -- essentially short-circuiting your physical stress reaction -- you can protect your health. My preferred method is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). It’s easy to learn, easy to use, and can help you release negative emotions. It too uses visualization and calm, relaxed breathing, while employing gentle tapping to ‘reprogram’ deeply seated emotional patterns.

Supplements and Other Alternatives

Although there are supplements that can be helpful, such as the ones I’ve listed here, it’s important to understand that they should never be considered as an alternative to the primary recommendations above, which treat the real cause of the problem. Only using the supplements below without incorporating the lifestyle recommendations discussed above is an allopathic approach not very different from using drugs. In most instances, it is not likely to be effective.

♥ Calcium and magnesium. Daily calcium and magnesium supplementa tion can be useful in lowering blood pressure, especially if yours is on the high end of high. However, if you avoid sugars and grains and eat for your Nutritional Type™ (see above), it’s unlikely additional calcium or magnesium sup plements will be necessary.

♥ Vitamins C and E. Studies indicate that these vitamins can be helpful in lowering blood pressure. If you’re eating for your nutritional type, you should be getting the right amount of both these nutrients through your diet alone. If you decide you need a supplement, make sure to take a natural (not synthetic) form of vitamin E. You can tell what you’re buying by care fully reading the label. Natural vitamin E is always listed as the ‘d-‘ form (d-alpha-tocopherol, d-beta-tocopherol, etc.) Synthetic vitamin E is listed as ‘dl-‘ forms.

♥ Olive leaf extract. In one 2008 study, supplementing with 1,000 mg of olive leaf extract daily over eight weeks caused a significant dip in both blood pressure and LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol in people with borderline hypertension. If you want to incorporate olive leaves as a natural adjunct to a nutrition ally sound diet, you should look for fresh leaf liquid extracts for maximum synergistic potency. You can also prepare your own olive leaf tea by placing a large teaspoon of dried olive leaves in a tea ball or herb sack. Place it in about two quarts of boiling water and let it steep for three to 10 minutes. The tea should be a medium amber color when done.

♥ Electrical acupuncture. Acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation has shown to temporarily lower elevations in blood pressure in animals by as much as 50 percent. It’s currently undergoing testing in humans and could be a promising alternative treatment for controlling blood pressure.

♥ Breastfeeding. Studies have shown that babies who are breast fed for more than 12 months have a dramatically reduced risk of de velop ing hypertension. Researchers believe long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (the same found in fatty fish) in breast milk provide a protective ef fect for newborns.

♥ Quick tricks. Increasing nitric monoxide in your blood can open con stricted blood vessels and lower your blood pressure. Methods for in creasing the compound include taking a warm bath, breathing in and out through one nostril (close off the other nostril and your mouth), and eating bitter melon, rich in amino acids and vitamin C.

Like obesity, high blood pressure is an epidemic. And, like obesity, your best treatment is to evaluate your lifestyle and make the necessary adjustments. A natural approach to preventing disease and healing yourself when illness strikes is always the better choice. In the case of high blood pressure, lifestyle changes -- with particular emphasis on normalizing your insulin levels -- can put you on the road to a drug-free, all natural return to optimal health.

Gout Pain Relief: FDA Seeks Acetaminophen Limit in Prescription Drugs

Here's some "breaking news" about the dangers of taking too much acetaminophen, which is in a lot of our gout pain relief medications. . . . Renée

FDA Seeks Acetaminophen Limit in Prescription Drugs

By Mimi Li [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="350" caption="Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images"][/caption]The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking a 325-milligram acetaminophen limit in prescription drugs, hoping to curtail the risks of liver damage in users, the federal agency said in a statement on Thursday. Additionally, the FDA is also forcing drug makers to put liver toxicity warnings on prescription combination drugs with acetaminophen. The new restrictions will limit the amount of acetaminophen in tablets and capsules of opioids such as Tylenol with Codeine and painkillers such as Percocet and Vicodin. Over-the-counter drugs with acetaminophen won’t be subject to the regulations. “FDA is taking this action to make prescription combination pain medications containing acetaminophen safer for patients to use,” Sandra Kweder with the Office of New Drugs in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said in a statement. “Overdose from prescription combination products containing acetaminophen account for nearly half of all cases of acetaminophen-related liver failure in the United States; many of which result in liver transplant or death,” Kweder said. Approximately 200 million prescriptions are written every year for the combination drugs, which presently contain as much as 750 mg of acetaminophen, Reuters reported.

Are they playing "catch up"? Shouldn't they have figured this out a long time ago?

Treating Gout - FDA Releases New Drug Krystexxa

I like to keep an eye out for new developments for treating gout, especially when there are new options. If you have used this new drug, post a comment below letting us know your opinion. Thanks . . . Renée The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Krystexxa (pegloticase) to treat gout in adults who do not respond to, or who cannot tolerate, conventional therapy. As we have discussed before, gout is caused by the build-up of uric acid in the blood, which turns into monosodium urate crystals which lodge in the joints and/or soft tissues of the body. When your own body's defenses fight these crystals, inflammation and pain can result. Gout is more prevalent in people who are obese, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It occurs mostly in men or in women after menopause. Also at risk to have gout attacks are people who have kidney disease. “About 3 percent of the three million adults who suffer from gout are not helped by conventional therapy. This new drug offers an important new option for them,” said Badrul Chowdhury, M.D., director of the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Rheumatology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. For patients with gout, the conventional therapy is to receive drugs that lower the amount of uric acid in the blood, as, for example, the xanthine oxidase inhibitors Zyloprim (allopurinol) and Uloric (febuxostat). Krystexxa is an enzyme that lowers uric acid levels by metabolizing it into a harmless chemical that is excreted in the urine. The drug is administered to patients every two weeks as an intravenous infusion. Krystexxa is being approved with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy that includes a medication guide for patients and materials for healthcare providers to communicate the risk of severe infusion and allergic reactions. Krystexxa is manufactured by Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. of East Brunswick, N.J.

Treating Gout with the Mediteranean Diet

If you're looking for a good way to lose weight to stop or prevent gout attacks, the Mediterranean Diet is a good choice for treating gout.  It benefits your health in  many ways, including reducing the chance of stroke. --Renee

Mediterranean Diet for Healthy Brain

by Kirsten Whittaker, Daily Health Bulletin Editor

Eating a diet that's high in healthy fats, limits dairy and meats isn't just good for your heart, some new research suggests it might also be very good for your mind. Following a Mediterranean style diet helps lower the risk of developing small areas of dead tissue that have been linked to thinking problems. Doctor's call these brain infarcts, and cite them as involved in vascular dementia, the second most common form of disease after Alzheimer's disease. The Mayo Clinic puts the numbers with vascular dementia at between 1-4% of those over 65. The risks for vascular disease are similar to Alzheimer's disease and include high blood pressure, a high fat diet, type 2 diabetes and low folate intake. In this latest study the subjects had never had a clinical stroke, but might have had smaller, unnoticed ones. MRI brain scans can detect such small strokes. The study ties diet to stroke, and will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April 2010. The subjects were 712 New Yorkers over the age of 65 who were asked about their diet and then six years later underwent an MRI. Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas, a neurologist at Columbia University Medical Center, says that dietary patterns tend to remain consistent for at least seven to eight years. Researchers found that those who most closely followed a Mediterranean style diet were 36% less likely to have areas of brain damage, compared with those whose eating habits were least like the diet. When the researchers controlled for high blood pressure, the Mediterranean diet was still tied to a lower risk of brain damage. It could be this way of eating helps to protect the brain vessels themselves, without regard to other problems like hypertension Scarmeas says. The researchers also looked at the individual components of the Mediterranean diet to see if one could be identified as especially beneficial. They found a stronger association between eating the whole diet and brain damage prevention than with any single food in the diet. It might just be that the combination of all the elements, including fish oil, may be producing the positive effect on the brain. When it came to strokes, the subjects who followed the diet plan the least had an increased risk of strokes that was similar to those with high blood pressure. Those who stuck to the Mediterranean diet regimen had a level of protection that was similar to those who didn't have hypertension. Other studies have suggested that this eating style might help in preventing a second heart attack, stopping the need for diabetes drugs and lowering cancer risk. It's important to understand that the results of the work show association, not causation, which tells us that there could be other factors linking the Mediterranean diet to resistance to this type of brain damage. Other research has shown that the more subjects stick to the diet, the better protection against hypertension they get, and this is also associated with these brain problems. The Mediterranean diet isn't so much a diet plan as a way of eating for life, and is nothing like the typical American diet. The Mediterranean diet is:

• Very low in red meat and poultry
• Uses olive oil as the main fat source
• Very high in fruits, nuts, legumes, vegetables and cereals
• High in fish
• Permits low to moderate intake of wine

Future work will need to confirm whether subjects must follow the entire Mediterranean diet, or if there are parts that bring about the positive effects. Identifying specific foods might make changing the way we eat easier - adjustments could be centered on adding one or two elements to our current diet, rather than trying to reshape a lifetime pattern of eating. Still, no matter what the experts end up concluding; we are seeing clearly that what you put into your body (good or bad) does indeed have an impact on both body and mind.

Gout Causes and Gout Health Risks

Here is some information I wanted to pass along to you on gout health risks for women and foods that cause gout ---Renee

Women with gout more likely to have heart attack than men

By ANI

February 8th, 2010

WASHINGTON - Women with gout are more likely to have a heart attack than their male counterparts with the disease, say experts. Researchers based their study on more than 9500 gout patients and 48, 000 people without the disease, aged 65 and older. Boffins followed the cardiovascular health of all the participants for an average of seven years during which as many as 3268 fatal and non-fatal heart attacks took place. The team found women with gout were 39 percent more likely to have a heart attack of any kind when compared with women without the condition while men with gout were only 11 percent more likely to have a fatal or non-fatal heart attack than those without the disease. The study was published ahead of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. (ANI)

And from the BBC:

Gout surge blamed on sweet drinks

Gout was once a common complaint in men as this 1799 cartoon shows. Copyright Wellcome Trust Medical Photographic Library

Sugary drinks have been blamed for a surge in cases of the painful joint disease gout Men who consume two or more sugary soft drinks a day have an 85% higher risk of gout compared with those who drink less than one a month, a study suggests. Cases in the US have doubled in recent decades and it seems fructose, a type of sugar, may be to blame, the British Medical Journal study reports. UK experts said those with gout would be advised to cut out sugary drinks. About 1.5% of the UK population currently suffers from gout and there has been an increase in numbers over the last 30 years - although the condition is more associated with Victorian times.

I will certainly change my advice to patients and I suspect the number drinking fructose is quite large Dr Andrew Bamji

The symptoms of painful, swollen joints, mainly in the lower limbs, are caused when uric acid crystallises out of the blood into the joints. US and Canadian researchers said the increase in cases had coincided with a substantial rise in the consumption of soft drinks. Previous research had also shown that fructose increases levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Diet To look in more detail, the team carried out a 12-year study of 46,000 men aged 40 years and over with no history of gout, asking them regular questionnaires about their diet. Over the period, 755 newly diagnosed cases of gout were reported. The risk of developing the condition was significantly increased with an intake level of five to six servings of sugary soft drink per week. This link was independent of other risk factors for gout such as body mass index, age, high blood pressure and alcohol intake. Diet soft drinks did not increase the risk of gout but fruit juice and fructose rich fruits (apples and oranges) were associated with a higher risk, the researchers said. But this finding needs to be balanced against the benefit of fruit and vegetables in preventing other chronic disorders like heart disease and stroke. Dr Hyon Choi, from the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver said dietary advice for gout had focused on restricting purine-rich foods, such as red meat and beer. He said practitioners should advise patients with gout to reduce their fructose intake. "I can think of some situations, for example in severe treatment failure gout, where reducing sweet fruits, such as oranges and apples could help," he added. Dr Andrew Bamji, president of the British Society for Rheumatology, said anecdotally cases of gout appeared to be rising. "When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense in that fructose inhibits the excretion of uric acid. "I will certainly change my advice to patients and I suspect the number drinking fructose is quite large."