Gout is a painful disease of the joints, which usually affects the big toe first in most people. It is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is formed by the breakdown of chemicals called purines, which can lead to high levels of uric acid and cause many problems such as joint swelling and kidney stones. Normally the uric acid is dissolved in the blood and passes out via the...

When a gout attack strikes it's usually excruciatingly painful, leaving most sufferers willing to do almost anything to make the pain go away. Because for some people, even when they do their best to eat the right diet, and take all of the other precautions that are suggested by medical professionals, an attack can occur. There are a few things you can do right away to stop your gout attack from...

Both celery stalks and seeds are touted as gout remedies for reducing uric acid levels, reducing pain, and as a diuretic to lower blood pressure. How can the humble celery stalk, or extracts of its seeds, be so helpful? Gout cures require the reduction of uric acid levels. The usual clinical target is a serum (blood) level of 6 mg/dL. Reducing uric acid levels often dissolves the MSU...

In an earlier article I quoted examples of studies that have shown Vitamin C can reduce uric acid (UA) levels, the objective of all gout treatments whether by pharmaceuticals or natural remedies. The usual uric acid level target is 6mg/dL in men, slightly less in women. This is the level below which the trouble-causing MSU crystals, formed mainly from uric acid, may dissolve and thus alleviate or...

A gout diet plan is an important part of controlling your gout symptoms and attacks. After all, when not controlled, gout can cause severe and permanent damage to your tissues, joints, and tendons. As gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood, a proper gout diet plan should aim to reduce uric acid levels and encourage proper elimination of uric acid from the body. There are...