Gout
Gout is a type of Arthritis, caused by an accumulation of Uric Acid crystals in the joints, or under the skin as little nodules. Joints might be swollen, red, burning, painful and hot to the touch. Not sure if your joint pain is gout? Your GP may take a sample of the fluid in the joint, test the blood for Uric acid or send you for an Ultra-sound.
Gout was once thought of as a disease of nobility as it is often seen in people who eat and drink a lot of meat, seafood and alcohol. These foods are rich in Purines. Gout and Kidney stones may result if your liver is not breaking down Purine effectively.
Purines are essential in the body, making up the structure of DNA, so the dietary strategy is not to avoid them all together, but limit their consumption if suffering from Gout. Foods rich in purines include:
Animal organs meats: Liver (eg pate), Spleen, Kidney, Hear, Lung and Sweetbread (thymus and pancreas)
Meat, especially red meats
Shellfish
Anchovies, fish roe, herring, mackerel, sardines, trout, tuna
Alcohol, especially beer, coffee and tea
Yeast and Yeast Extracts (eg Beer, Brewer’s yeast, Vegemite)
Deep and shallow Fried foods, Gravy
In Chinese Medicine, Gout is often seen as damp-heat - an accumulation of heat-inflammation as a result of accumulation of fluid in the joints. Foods that help to ‘clear’ and ‘cool’ include:
Lots of water. Reduce alcohol.
Lots of Vegetables, especially cabbage, kale, lettuce, celery and watercress. Celery seed is often used in Western Herbalism for Gout
Switching fatty cuts of meat to leaner cuts
Reducing consumption of spicy foods (this is a specific recommendation for Damp-Heat)
Lemon and lime (add juice to some water and drink through a straw to protect tooth enamel) - the citric acid is thought to lower uric acid
Apple - the Malic acid is thought to neutralise the Uric Acid causing the gout.
Tart Cherries and Cherries have been used a remedy for both Gouty Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Tart Cherry Juice concentrate can be purchased online or at health food stores. Recent studies show no reduction in Uric Acid levels.
Adzuki bean congee and Bitter gourd/melon are commonly used food recipes in China
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE STRATEGIES always involve using a combination of herbs. Often diuretic and anti-inflammatory combinations are used, tailored to your specific circumstances.
Here are some recipes from the book, Modern Chinese Medicine Food Cures by Melissa Carr:
ANTI-GOUT JUICE - 2 Green Apples, 6 Celery Stalks, ¼ cabbage. Optional thumb sized piece of ginger if your digestion is weak. (You could also add the juice of ½ a lemon or lime to this)
ANTI-GOUT TEA - 1 bunch of parsley, 4 cups of boiling water, 1TBSP of Celery Seeds. Allow to steep for 10 minutes.
Give these recipes a try and let me know how you go!