Natural Help for arthritis_ pain and Gout

							Natural Help for arthritis, pain and Gout, by Jacqui Armstrong.

A busy farmer came to see me some time ago suffering dreadfully with arthritis. He
could not lift his arms higher than waist level; the joints were so stiff and sore. This of
course restricted him during his working day. I gave him a remedy called Urex which
help to clear the body of uric acid and so help to ease the pain and inflammation. After a
few months he returned to tell me there was a very good improvement and he was able to
do jobs he hadn’t attempted in years.

Arthritis is a very common problem causing distress to the sufferer. In the UK alone 54%
of people over 65 suffer from arthritis or joint pain. It can start quite early in life with
perhaps a twinge or two of pain or stiffness in the joints. In some unfortunate people this
progresses to constant pain in the hands, knees and feet and a decrease in mobility. The
pain and discomfort makes sleeping at night very difficult. Glucosamine tablets or in the
liquid form is very beneficial taken as a supplement. Glucosamine helps to maintain
healthy joints and helps to repair the shock absorbing gel-like material between the joints.
The herbal combination of Ginger and Curcumin may also help ease painful joints. Even
chronic back sufferers notice a lessening of symptoms when using these two herbs.

No one knows the cause of arthritis, but diet seems to be very important. The majority of
arthritis sufferers eat too many acid forming foods. These foods are proteins such as
meat, dairy produce, refined carbohydrates like white bread and pizzas. People who
develop arthritis should avoid tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and aubergines.

Gout seems to be on the increase again. It used to be considered a rich mans disease
because only those people who could afford large amounts of meat, cheese, shell fish etc
were likely to suffer. Men suffer from gout more than women. Gout is a form of joint
inflammation which is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood causing crystal
deposits in the joints. The most common joint affected is the big toe but other joints are
affected as well as the kidneys. An attack can be brought on by over indulging in rich
food and occasionally an accident or trauma can trigger an attack.

Foods which should be avoided are meat, cheese, offal, herrings, cod, mackerel, caffeine,
chicken, shellfish, kidney beans, yeast based drinks such as marmite and Bovril, oatmeal,
porridge, lentils, full fat cheese, especially stilton and brie. These are foods have high
purine levels.

Urex tablets have helped many gout sufferers. Cherries and pineapple should be eaten on
a daily basis, cherries in particular. They help to keep gout under control. Other fruits
which also help reduce uric acid are blueberries, blackberries or bilberries. Eat plenty of
fruit and vegetables and drink at least 6 glasses of water a day. Take 1-2 grams of vitamin
C every day which can help to reduce uric acid levels. Nettle tea will also help to excrete
uric acid.