Gout – Symptoms, Causes and 5 Best Natural Remedies for Pain Relief

What is Gout?

Gout is a painful and very unpleasant type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid accumulates in the body. This causes crystals to form in the joints, most commonly in the big toe, but also in other joints such as the knees, ankles, elbows, wrists and fingers. Gout attacks usually come on suddenly – often in the middle of the night – and cause intense pain, swelling, redness and stiffness.

The most common symptoms of gout

A gout attack can last for several days, and symptoms include:

🔴 Sudden and severe pain in the joint (most often in the big toe)
🔴 Swelling, tenderness, and redness of the joint
🔴 Feeling warm and stiff
🔴 Limited movement
🔴 Fever (in severe cases)
🔴 The appearance of hard lumps (tophi) in chronic cases

If gout is not treated in time, it can lead to chronic joint damage and other serious complications, including kidney stones and heart disease.

What causes gout?

Gout is the result of high levels of uric acid (urate) in the blood. When the body cannot expel excess acid through the kidneys, it crystallizes and accumulates in the joints. The most common causes include:

🍖 A diet rich in purines (red meat, offal, shellfish)
🍺 Alcohol, especially beer and sugary alcoholic beverages
🥤 Fructose and carbonated drinks
⚖️ Overweight and obesity
🧬 Genetic predisposition
💊 Use of certain medications (diuretics, aspirin)
🩺 Kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure

Conventional treatment of gout

In classical medicine, gout is treated with drugs such as:

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
Colchicine
Corticosteroids
Allopurinol and febuxostat (to reduce uric acid)

Although effective, these drugs often have side effects such as nausea, liver problems, digestion, and blood pressure.

5 Best Natural Remedies for Gout

Below we bring you proven effective natural methods that help relieve symptoms and prevent new attacks:

1. 🍒 Cherries and cherry juice

Scientific research shows that the consumption of cherries or 100% natural cherry juice can reduce the risk of gout attacks by as much as 35%, and in combination with therapy – up to 75%. Cherries have powerful anti-inflammatory properties and lower uric acid levels.

👉 Recommendation: Consume a handful of fresh cherries a day or 1 glass of unsweetened juice.

2. 🌿 Celery and celery seed extract

Celery seed is a natural diuretic rich in antioxidants that promotes the excretion of uric acid and reduces inflammation in the joints.

👉 Recommendation: Drink fresh celery juice every day or take supplements with celery seed extract.

3. ☕ Coffee (regular or decaf)

Research shows that regular coffee consumption (even decaffeinated) can reduce uric acid levels. The mechanism of action is not yet fully known, but the results are promising.

👉 Recommendation: 1–2 cups of black coffee per day.

4. 🍊 Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful ally in the fight against gout because it stimulates the kidneys to excrete uric acid. Studies have shown a significant reduction in the risk of gout with regular consumption of vitamin C.

👉 Recommendation: Take 500–1000 mg of vitamin C per day (additionally or through food: peppers, citrus, strawberries, broccoli).

5. 🌱 Turmeric and curcumin

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It helps with swelling and pain in the joints. It has the best effect when taken together with piperine (black pepper), which improves absorption.

👉 Recommendation: Take quality supplements with curcumin + piperine.

Nutrition for gout – what to eat and what to avoid?

❌ Foods to avoid:

Red meat, offal, shellfish
Alcohol (especially beer)
Sweet juices and fructose
Legumes, mushrooms, spinach, dried peas
Refined sugars and white flour

✅ Foods to consume:

Foods rich in fiber (oats, brown rice, bananas)
Foods rich in vitamin C and magnesium
Cherries, berries, avocados
Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, walnuts, chia seeds)
Plenty of clean water (8+ glasses per day)

Additional tips for the prevention of gout

🚶‍♂️ Regular physical activity (walking, swimming, yoga)
💧 Daily hydration – at least 2 liters of water
⚖️ Maintain a healthy weight
🚫 Reduce stress and avoid sudden diets
🔬 Control your uric acid levels regularly

Conclusion

Gout is a serious condition that can cause long-term pain and disability, but the good news is that with proper nutrition, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes – symptoms can be significantly alleviated or even completely prevented.

If you have frequent gout attacks, be sure to consult a doctor, but in addition, introduce natural strategies that can help your body balance itself in a safe and harmless way.

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