Burdock and Gout

Gout is a common ailment both in men and women.  It can attack all the joints but most usually the big toe.  It can be very painful when it attacks.  Gout is associated with high levels of uric acid in the blood, a condition called ‘hyperuricemia’.  Some of the major causes of gout are genetic predisposition, obesity, and diet.  

It has been found out that herbal natural remedies may be helpful in controlling gout.

The burdock plant is one of those herbal remedies.  According to some experts, the root of the burdock plant has lots of medicinal properties that have been used to treat ailments for many years. There are chemical properties present in the root like the powerful xanthine oxidase inhibitor that blocks the enzyme in the blood to increase the uric acid level in the body, inulin or fructosan which is a carbohydrate that helps strengthen the liver and it also provides sugar that does not stimulate rapid production of insulin for diabetic people, and polyacetylene which destroys bacterial and fungal cultures.

Aside from helping gout it is also used to treat colds, some cancers, anorexia nervosa, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, diabetes, fluid retention, fever, stomach conditions, acne, severe dry skin, psoriasis, and other conditions. 

Burdock when used in amounts commonly found in foods is usually safe.  However, it may cause an allergic reaction for people who are sensitive to flowers and herbs.  It can also cause rashes when applied to the skin.  People with bleeding disorders, who are allergic to ragweed and related plants, are diabetic, are scheduled for surgery should not take this remedy. And it is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

For those who are safe to take burdock as a natural remedy for gout, it can also be taken as a tablet or as a drink like tea.  Just cut off 2 inches from the burdock root and peel off the tough outer bark of the root and cut into thin slices.  Add the slices to about eight ounces of water and boil for 10 – 15 minutes.  The root can also be dried before boiling.  It can also be added to salads or eaten like carrots.  The seeds and stem are edible too.  Just boil before eating.

It is always best to consult first with a physician before taking any herbal natural remedies especially if you are on medication or have certain ailments like diabetes.  And where you are given permission by your doctor to take a herbal remedy always take it in moderation.  It is never good to have too much of anything. Click here for more

Avocado and Gout

What is Gout?  Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body, crystals then form in joints which become very painful.  So what can we do to avoid this?  One food that can help to prevent gout is non-other than the avocado.

Avocado is rich in magnesium and low in calcium hence can help to reduce the symptoms.  But too much of high fat food can create weight gain and this can also contribute to gout.  So, moderation is the key.

Another good thing about avocado is that it contains 4.6 grams of fiber and vitamin B such as folate and B6.  It also contains 345mg of potassium.  An avocado enriched diet can also help to lower LDL (bad cholesterol).  If you have bad cholesterol, this can cause hardening of the arteries.  So adding avocados to your diet may well help to reduce LDLs.  A study has found that if you are a regular eater of avocados you will have a better overall diet.

Avocados are also loaded with good fats and have more potassium than bananas.  This fruit really is full of nutrients!  Avocado is 71% non-unsaturated fats.  These fats are the good fats that are good for your heart; controlling blood clotting and blood sugar levels.

It is thought that avocados may lower your risk for certain types of cancers- since they contain carotenoids which are compounds with high antioxidant currently being studied for their anti-cancer capabilities.

Research also shows that avocado can reduce the severity of symptoms of osteoarthritis; reducing the damage and pain of arthritis.

Another thing is that the Vitamin E in avocado can also assist in promoting the repair of cartilage around the joints which frequently get damaged with each gout attack.

Adding avocado to your regular diet will not only help to relieve the painful symptoms of gout, it may also help to prevent future attacks.  In addition, its nutrients will also help improve your overall health position. GoutReliefToday

Bilberry and Gout

Bilberries are a species of low growing shrubs of the genus Vaccinium. They are found in acidic, nutrient-poor soils throughout the temperate and subarctic regions of the world. They are a purple-black color.

The fresh fruit contains high quantities of water-soluble pigments called “anthocyanins” which give the fruit their distinctive color. And, luckily for gout sufferers, anthocyanins are strong antioxidants that have been shown to lower uric acid and reduce inflammation.

Gout is a common type of painful arthritis that occurs when an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood crystallizes in the joints. So any natural remedy that can lower uric acid levels and reduce inflammation is most welcome.

In addition to their uric acid and inflammation reducing powers, bilberries also have a collagen-stabilizing action which can help prevent the destruction of collagen in the joints, which often occurs as a result of repeated gout attacks.

As well as being eaten fresh, bilberries can be taken as an oral supplement or as a tea.

For a tea, just add 1 teaspoon of dried bilberry leaves to 1 cup of water. Bring to the boil and steep for 10 minutes. Drink hot or cold three times a day.

It is also available in capsule form. A capsule that has 25% anthocyanosides can be taken in the amount of 240 to 600 milligrams per day in divided doses.

However, there are some people for whom taking bilberries as a natural remedy could be problematic:-
It is known that bilberries can decrease glucose levels in the blood, so diabetic patients should first consult with their doctor and get professional advice before taking it.

Patients with bleeding problems or who are taking blood-thinning medication should also consult with their doctor first, because bilberries can thin the blood.

Finally, as a general rule, anyone even thinking of starting a herbal program of any kind ought to check with their doctor to ensure that the herbs will not react with any medications they may be taking and / or exacerbate any health condition they may already have.

To summarize, bilberries are easy to obtain, low cost, non-habit forming, and can be a very effective natural remedy for gout patients. Read more