Treat Gout at Home with Vitamins and Supplements

Many are unaware how to treat gout at home with behaviors, vitamins, and supplements. Most people are on their feet for a large portion of the day. Whether you walk or run at work, care for children and pets, or simply need to get from one room of the house to another, your feet play a central role in your ability to get things done. Unfortunately, that means unexpected foot ailments can have a profound effect on your ability to go about your daily life.

Gout is a relatively common condition that primarily affects the feet. Contracting this condition can make it difficult to walk properly, wear shoes, and generally enjoy your life. Not only is gout inconvenient, but it can be painful as well. Because of this, it is important to understand how to treat gout so you can reduce pain and prevent mobility issues.

Fortunately, there are many gout home remedies, including vitamins and supplements, that have been proven effective at treating this condition. Whether you have tried other options or wish to avoid the healthcare system, using at-home healing treatments can have a profound benefit on your health and healing.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a condition that occurs when the body retains high levels of uric acid. Uric acid occurs naturally when your body breaks down compounds known as purines in the blood. Generally, uric acid is filtered through the kidneys and exits the body through the bladder. However, in some individuals, the body produces too much uric acid, cannot properly filter the uric acid through the urine, or both. Though it is normal to have uric acid in the body, high levels can cause issues, including gout.

Gout is considered a type of arthritis because it involves inflammation of the joints. When uric acid builds up in the body, it forms crystals that settle near the joints. This can cause inflammation, which is why gout can be painful. Many people only experience gout in a single joint, though it can affect several, depending on the case.

There is no cure for gout. Though there are ways to put the condition into remission and ease symptoms, individuals who have been diagnosed with gout will have to combat the condition on an ongoing basis. That’s why finding simple, at-home treatments to ease gout symptoms is so important.

Why Did I Develop Gout?

Most people who develop gout notice symptoms in adulthood, generally during the middle age years. Similarly, people who have a menstrual cycle typically do not contract gout until after menopause. However, though it is most common in middle-aged and elderly individuals, people of all ages can contract gout.

A variety of circumstances can contribute to gout, including:

Consuming alcohol or beverages with high fructose corn syrup
Eating high-purine foods
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Conditions that cause increased cell turnover
Chronic kidney disease
Obesity

These issues all serve to increase the level of uric acid in the body, which can lead to gout.

Unfortunately, some essential medications can contribute to gout. So, what medications make gout worse? Certain transplant medications, high blood pressure and other diuretics, aspirin, chemotherapy drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and more can trigger gout flare-ups. If possible, check with your physician about an alternative.

How Can You Treat Gout at Home?

As noted, there is no permanent cure for gout. However, there are studies that prove that there are ways to treat and minimize the symptoms of the disease. Many people who properly treat their gout do not experience any symptoms for extended periods of time.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is a key contributor to gout and other diseases. Not only does alcohol worsen inflammation, but many types of alcoholic beverages are also high in purines. Beer, especially, is a high-purine substance.

Drink Water

Drinking water is an important part of treating gout and supporting overall health. When you drink water, your kidneys begin to work harder to eliminate excess fluids. This can reduce the swelling associated with gout and also help the body dispose of uric acid. Adding lemon juice to your water can increase fluid output and help with the elimination of uric acid.

However, if kidney disease is the cause of your gout symptoms, make sure increased water intake is in line with your treatment plan.

Drink Coffee

A recent study linked coffee consumption with a lower risk of gout. Coffee also acts as a diuretic, which can help your body to eliminate fluids and uric acid. However, it is important to increase water intake if you increase your coffee consumption, as dehydration can exacerbate symptoms of gout.

Watch Your Diet

Many meat sources are high in purines, which the body converts into uric acid. Avoiding foods with high purines can help to limit the amount of uric acid in the blood and thus minimize gout symptoms.

So, what are the 10 foods that trigger gout?

Certain seafood, such as haddock, cod, scallops, sardines, mussels, herring, trout, and anchovies
Venison
Organ meats
Bacon
Turkey
Veal
Lamb
Snack foods with high fructose corn syrup
Other sugary foods and drinks
Alcohol

Reducing your consumption of these meats or eliminating them from your diet can help with your gout symptoms and the inflammation that accompanies them.

What Is the Quickest Way to Treat Gout at Home?

For many people, pain medications are the first defense against a prolonged gout attack. In particular, compounded pain creams for gout do not need to travel through the digestive system to address pain. These medications can be applied directly to the desired area to reduce inflammation and pain.

There are also many vitamins and supplements that can help to alleviate symptoms. Plus, vitamins and supplements often bypass the side effects that can come with prescription medications.

Is Fish Oil Good For Treating Gout?

Fish oil offers many benefits, such as reducing inflammation, the cause of most gout pain and discomfort. Though some fish are high in purines, high-quality fish oil has been distilled. This means that the purines have been eliminated, and what is left can have a positive effect on gout symptoms.

Is Ginger Good For Treating Gout?

Ginger has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease gout symptoms. Ginger has even been linked directly to pain relief and higher levels of immunity to common diseases.

Is Milk Thistle Good For Treating Gout?

A limited study in 2016 identified milk thistle as a promising treatment for gout. Milk thistle seems to eliminate uric acid from the body, which can minimize gout symptoms, inflammation, and pain. However, the study occurred only with animals and therefore cannot be extrapolated definitively to humans. Despite this, milk thistle is generally considered safe to take and may help address your gout symptoms.

Is Vitamin C Good For Treating Gout?

Vitamin C has many powerful benefits for the body. One of its main functions is the elimination of free radicals in the body. This can help the body to excrete uric acid and minimize the risk of gout. If gout runs in your family or you believe you are at risk for developing gout, vitamin C may be an especially useful vitamin.

Is Tart Cherry Juice Good For Treating Gout?

Many people new to gout symptoms ask, “is cranberry juice good to drink for gout?” While there are currently no studies demonstrating cranberry juice’s effectiveness as a gout treatment, tart cherry juice is well-studied. Drinking tart cherry juice regularly may reduce the likelihood of a gout attack and decrease the associated symptoms.

Though juice is the most common form, tart cherry also comes in capsules as well. Gouch! capsules deliver the benefits of tart cherry juice without the requirement of drinking a glass every day. According to reviewers, Gouch! capsules are more effective than many other home methods.

“I am 69. I have suffered with mild to severe gout for probably 10 years. If I didn’t have full-blown gout it was always painful every day to some extent. I tried diet, prescription medication for gout and nothing keep[s] it at bay. I started taking Gouch about 5 months ago and have eliminated prescription meds for gout and have not had a single flare up. Not one!!! I take one in the morning and one in the evening. It has truly been a blessing. Don’t know if it will work for you but I would highly recommend it!!!”

“In over 4 years, I’ve never had a gout attack while taking Gouch. I’ve been taking Gouch almost daily – on and off – since 2015. Early on there were phases when I felt good and would stop having Gouch around. But inevitably, it became apparent that it’s the only thing that reliably keeps the gout away. Oh, there is also eating a pound of cherries. The capsules are more practical. In the past when I have forgotten to order them or forgotten to pack them on a long trip, I inevitably start to feel that gouty feeling. I can sometimes take 1600 mg of ibuprofen to thwart an attack. But that’s not very good for the kidneys. My first gout symptom appeared in 2002. For a time I had one or two attacks a year until I started using prescription medicines, which I did not care for, and then I found Gouch. Thank you Redd for creating this tenable source for prevention.”

“My dad is on a gout prescription from his doctor and was still having flare ups from gout. I saw this product and thought why not give it a try. He now takes these regularly and doesn’t need the prescription from his doctor anymore and when he eats meat he has had no problems since taking this. One less pill from the doctor is great for us. He’s so happy and relieved that these took away all the pain and problems he was having due to gout flare ups.”

“Usually works overnight! I use it as a daily supplement, then double up when I experience occasional flare-ups. Great product. Prefer this over the prescription meds + no side effects! Easy to swallow. Great value.”

As you can see, unlike cranberry juice, tart cherry juice seems to have significant promise when treating gout and inflammation.

Is Heat Good for Gout?

Gout is a bio-individual condition, meaning that the symptoms are slightly different for each patient. While one person with gout may experience pain in their ankles, others may feel it in their knees or elbows. Similarly, some people have success treating gout with heat, while others find that it makes their symptoms worse. This may be related to the differences between wet and dry heat treatments.

Some individuals use humid heat, including steam, which can have adverse effects. Humidity generally exacerbates inflammation, which can make gout symptoms worse. If you have tried heat treatment for your gout and experienced increased pain, consider trying dry heat, such as an infrared sauna, to treat your symptoms.

Is Cold Good for Gout?

Though everyone is different, cold seems to be a better treatment for gout than heat. Cold is more reliable in the treatment of inflammation, and most inflammatory conditions respond to cold treatment. If you have gout symptoms, try applying an ice pack to the affected area. Elevating the joint or limb that hurts can also be effective in treating gout symptoms.

How Long Do Most Gout Attacks Last?

Left untreated, gout attacks typically last anywhere from five to seven days, though everyone’s experience is a bit different. For some, the most painful attacks can last nearly two weeks. Generally, the symptoms are worse over the first 24 hours, then diminish as time goes on.

Treatment can mean your attack lasts as little as a few days. There’s no reason to avoid treating your gout symptoms, especially since many of the above remedies are easily available at home. As mentioned, seeking treatment sooner can reduce the length of your attack and reduce your symptoms.

Does Walking on Gout Foot Make it Worse?

Some people with gout are afraid to walk because they fear that it will bring on a gout attack. Generally speaking, you should continue to go about your normal activities if you have gout. However, if you are experiencing a gout attack, the opposite advice applies. Do not attempt to go about your daily activities; instead, rest and attempt to reduce the inflammation as much as possible. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help to ease the pain quickly.

If you are a person who is living with gout but who is not having a gout flare-up, walking and other moderate activities can help to reduce inflammation and stiffness in the affected joint. If your symptoms worsen or you are in tremendous pain, listen to your body and rest. Apply ice, elevate the area, and use vitamins and supplements to ease your pain.

If you wish to take precautions while walking with gout, you should:

Wear supportive footwear that aligns your feet and legs
Wear supportive footwear that aligns your feet and legs
Try biking or swimming, both of which put minimal pressure and stress on the joints
Start slowly and do not push yourself
Rest and ice the area afterward, even if you are not experiencing pain

Treat Gout at Home with Compounding Pharmacy

Always pay attention to the pain signals in your body. We carry a large number of supplements and vitamins to support your body throughout your journey with gout. Browse our large selection online. For more information about medicines that are not recommended for gout sufferers, contact us today.

Sources

Matt Poteet, Pharm.D.

Chief Operating Officer, The Compounding Pharmacy of America

Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. graduated with Honors from Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. After his undergraduate training, he completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, graduating in 2004. Dr. Poteet has spent much of his pharmacy career on staff at two of the most prestigious academic teaching hospitals in the Southeast; Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At these institutions he received extensive experience and training in sterile products compounding.

He returned home to East Tennessee in 2010, where he has held the position of Pharmacy Director at two sterile products pharmacies in Knoxville. Matthew lives in Knoxville with his wife, Chris. Dr. Poteet is Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

How to Treat Gout at Home