Leg or feet hurt? You may have gout
By Jeff Wendland

Gout is a very painful form or arthitus that affects the toes, feet and lower extremities. When you get a flare up, you're in misery. Here's some tips on how to minimize your susceptibility to this irritataing condition.

Gout is enough to make you grumble.

It’s an ugly word and an ugly malady: Gout.

Yuck. Pain. Discomfort. Misery.

You might even have it and not know that’s what you’ve come down with.

Do you suffer from acute inflammation of the big toe, ankles, knees or even fingers?  If you do, it may be possible that you suffer from gout. 

Gout is a common form of arthritis that most often affects men age 40-50.  That’s right. Gout and arthritis are pretty much the same condition. People with Gout do not produce enough of the enzyme uricase, which oxidizes the mostly insoluble uric acid into a more soluble compound.  Because of this, the uric acid builds up in the blood and tissues which leads to its crystallization.

And believe me, that hurts. This crystallization acts like needles that jab their way into your joints.  It seems that uric acid crystallizes most easily in cooler environments which may be why the most common place people complain about gout is in their extremities like their big toe. 

Uric acid is the byproduct of certain foods.  Some of the foods that most often precede the symptoms of gout are fatty meat, sweets, and alcohol.  Certain medications, kidney disease, stress, and overeating can also bring out bouts of gout.

I have helped many clients who suffer from Gout.  The supplements that they report back to me that help the most are alfalfa, essential fatty acids, proteolylic enzymes, and a combination of turmeric and bromelain. 

Alfalfa can help to increase uric acid levels in the urine which can help reduce the amount of uric acid available to crystallize.  Essential fatty acids are needed for tissue repair and to help reduce inflammation.  Proteolylic enzymes help to improve digestion of protein and to reduce inflammation.  And the spice turmeric and the enzyme bromelain work well together to reduce inflammation.

If you feel that you may be suffering from gout, it is best to go and see your physician to be sure that it is not an infection or rheumatoid arthritis. 

Once you have been properly diagnosed, ask your doctor or naturopathic doctor about natural treatments and for help identifying foods which trigger the symptoms.

Jeff Wendland is a longtime professional nutritional counselor who has spend years in the natural health field. He publishes the Jeff's healthy Living Guide to Nutrition and Diet (www.jeffshealthyliving) and welcomes your questions. You can e-mail him through the Web site.