What is Gout and how to manage it

Gout has long been known as the “disease of kings” as it was commonly associated with the lavish diet and alcohol consumption of the wealthy, like King Henry VIII, who suffered from it.  It is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis which results from the build-up of uric acid crystals in joints.  This build-up of uric acid crystals begins with purines, a chemical compound found naturally in your body and is present in many foods. Purines are metabolized in the body to produce uric acid which is excreted from our bodies as waste via urine or stool. The inability to adequately process and excrete uric acid from the body results in the excess accumulating in the joints and thus, resulting in Gout. This builds up in the soft tissue of the joint, causing extreme pain, joint swelling, warmth and redness.

Gout can be caused by various factors including family history and diet. For some individuals, genetics results in them being more prone to accumulating uric acid crystals that lead to gout. Diet is also extremely crucial in the prevention of Gout. Consuming a healthy diet that is low in Purine is the key to the Gout diet. The most effective dietary tips include avoiding foods high in purine, consuming fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C as well as consuming anti-inflammatory superfoods.

1.       Avoid Foods High in Purines

Red meat, organs and glandular meats are known to have extremely high levels of purine which contribute to high blood levels of uric acid. Some types of seafood such as anchovies, shellfish, sardines and tuna are also higher in purines. Moreover, research suggests that alcohol affects the body’s ability to excrete uric acid. Beer and red wine have especially high content of purines and should be avoided to prevent Gout.

2.       Consuming Foods High in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin to have in your diet. Not only does it result in the proper functioning of immune cells, it is also said to help lower uric acids levels in the body which prevents Gout. Vitamin C comes in two forms: natural whole-food form or the synthetic form. The synthetic forms of Vitamin C are not always used in formulas at the exact pH levels required to effect change in the body. On the other hand, natural whole-food sources of Vitamin C are bioavailable as they are readily absorbed and processed by the body.

A great example of a whole food high in Vitamin C is the Camu-Camu Berry Powder. Amongst all fruits, the Camu-Camu Berry has the highest Vitamin C content. It has 10-30 x more Vitamin C than oranges by weight. Nature’s Superfoods Camu-Camu Berry Powder is made from only pulp and skin where the Vitamin C is concentrated (without the seeds). Hence, this high-quality Camu-Camu Berry Powder contains a range of 7-11% Vitamin C which is one of the highest among all fruits.

3.       Consuming Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Consuming anti-inflammatory foods helps to fight inflammation in the body which prevents conditions like Gout. Superfoods such as Chia Seeds are great as they are packed with omega-3 fats which have these anti-inflammatory benefits. Chia Seed oil and Sacha Inchi Seed Oil can also be consumed on its own or in salads as it is an excellent nutritive supplement. As the nutrients are concentrated in the oils, these oils are known to have a higher amount of Omega-3 fats than chia and sacha inchi seeds. Thus, people who have pre-existing conditions of Gout or those looking to prevent Gout can consider adding these superfoods to their diet.

Adding Camu-Camu Berry Powder and Chia Seeds into your diet could not be easier as both are versatile and can be incorporated into many recipes in various ways. However, if you are looking for a quick, easy and hassle-free recipe to follow, the Camu-Camu Chia Orange Smoothie is one you could easily recreate. With the vitamin C from Camu-Camu to the anti-inflammatory benefits from the Chia Seeds, this drink has all the beneficial nutrients to help prevent Gout.  You can get the recipe here: https://organicandwholesale.com/camu-camu-chia-orange-smoothie.html