Gout explained and how supplements may help manage pain and reduce uric acid levels

Gout treatment reduces uric acid levels to prevent painful joint crystals, often affecting the feet and toes.

Managing the condition typically involves dietary changes, medications, and supplements to ease inflammation and improve symptoms.

Gout affects around 9 million Americans, often starting with a painful attack on the big toe. On average, people with gout miss more workdays each year due to the condition, according to WebMD.

For those newly diagnosed, questions often arise about its symptoms, treatments, and whether supplements can help.

This article breaks down how supplements might aid in managing gout.

Gout

Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, causes sudden and intense joint pain, often accompanied by swelling, redness, and warmth.

While it normally affects the big toe, it can also affedt other joints, including the knees and ankles.

The condition is triggered by hyperuricemia, or high uric acid levels in the blood, resulting from the breakdown of purines in certain foods and drinks.

When the kidneys can’t filter out excess uric acid, it builds up and forms crystals in the joints, leading to painful flare-ups that often occur unexpectedly, especially at night.

Gout is more common in men, often developing at a younger age. At the same time, women typically experience it after menopause due to hormonal changes.

Various factors can increase the risk, including obesity, high blood pressure, kidney problems, and medications like diuretics.

Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking, high-fructose foods, or consuming purine-rich foods like red meat and seafood, also contribute to the risk.

Additionally, a family history of gout may make some people more likely to develop the condition.

Gout symptoms

Gout typically causes sudden, severe pain, often at night.

While the big toe is the most common spot, other joints can also be affected, leading to redness, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, and a burning sensation.

These painful attacks can last up to two weeks, but in between, people may not experience any symptoms.

The frequency of attacks varies, with some people having them often while others may go years without one.

It’s important to note that if gout isn’t treated, future attacks can become more frequent and severe.

Gout Treatment

Managing gout involves both medical treatment and lifestyle changes.

During flare-ups, doctors may prescribe medications like NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or colchicine to reduce pain and inflammation.

To prevent future attacks, lifestyle changes such as cutting back on alcohol, limiting purine-rich foods like red meat, losing weight, and stopping certain medications may be necessary.

High uric acid levels can cause complications like tophi and kidney stones, so doctors may prescribe medications to lower uric acid levels for those with frequent gout attacks.

In addition to medical treatment, self-management strategies can help control gout.

Key steps include eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, increasing fiber with oats and potatoes, and avoiding refined foods like sugary snacks and white bread.

Lifestyle changes are also significant, such as using healthier oils, staying hydrated with 6-8 glasses of water daily, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

Some studies suggest that coffee may help reduce symptoms. Although gout has no cure, these strategies can help manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups, which may still occur throughout life.

Vitamins and supplements for gout

While specific vitamins, such as niacin and vitamin A, may worsen gout symptoms, doctors can recommend supplements to address nutritional gaps in gout patients.

Common supplements prescribed for gout treatment include multivitamins, which often contain essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as complex vitamins and minerals like magnesium, zinc, calcium, and selenium.

Omega-3 fatty acids, typically found in fish oil, can help reduce inflammation.

Other supplements may include Inositol hexaphosphate (IP-6), N-Acetyl Cysteine, vitamin C, Acidophilus, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA).

GLA, found in oils like evening primrose, black currant seed, and borage oil, shows promise in managing gout symptoms, with evening primrose oil supplements offering an easy way to boost intake.

Meanwhile, natural remedies may offer relief of the symptoms alongside traditional gout treatment.

Herbs like cranberry, green tea, and devil’s claw are among those that might help.

Bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple, is thought to reduce inflammation, but more research is needed.

Ginger, especially red ginger compresses, could relieve pain during gout attacks, though further studies are necessary.

Other potential remedies include guava leaf extract, which shows promise, and milk thistle, which animal studies suggest may lower uric acid levels.

However, more research is needed in humans, says Healthline.

Turmeric has shown potential in mice studies for reducing uric acid, but human trials are still required.

Cherries and cherry juice may help lower uric acid levels and reduce gout attacks.

Moreover, some studies suggest that coffee may offer similar benefits. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that this effect may not be strong enough to recommend coffee as a treatment for gout.

Suppose you’re experiencing sudden, severe joint pain. In that case, you must see your primary doctor, who may refer you to a specialist.

Specialists typically diagnose gout, though your primary doctor may also identify it.

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may perform blood tests to check uric acid levels and use imaging tests, like X-rays or MRIs, to examine the affected joints.

In some cases, a procedure called aspiration may be used, where fluid is removed from the joint and examined for uric acid crystals.

Once diagnosed, your primary doctor will help monitor and manage your symptoms by giving you the gout treatment suitable for your current health condition.

Here are some foods you must avoid if you have gout:

(Note: This article is for informational purposes only and not to be treated as a professional opinion or diagnosis. If you’re dealing with any of these signs & symptoms or know someone who does, it’s important to always consult with your doctor or a specialist.)