When you hear the word gout what is it that comes to mind? History lessons of rich lords and royalty over indulging, drinking to excess, resulting in inflammation?
But did you know that Gout is actually a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain and affects 1 in 40 people. It occurs when there is too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid builds up in the joints, often experienced in the big toes joint, symptoms include inflammation, redness, joint pain and reduced range of motion.
Foods that affect gout?
Eating a diet with lots of red meats, shellfish, sweets, refined sugars, beer and alcohol, all contribute to increased levels of uric acid in the blood. The kidneys are responsible for helping to eliminate excess uric acid from the body and ideally it is broken down in the blood. When the body is unable to clear enough uric acid, levels become high and this leads to a build up in the bloodstream. The excess in the body causes urate crystals to be formed, which are then deposited and accumulate in the joints. The build up causes inflammation as the body signals the immune system to support, protect and heal the damaged area.
Kidney support
The kidneys are an important part of your elimination system. They remove waste products from the body, filter toxins in your blood, remove excess fluid & water to balance the body's fluids, release hormones, produce Vitamin D and make urine.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the kidneys are also connected to the emotions of fear and anxiety, and when these are out of balance, you will experience symptoms such as memory loss, knee or back pain, hair loss, dry skin, brittle hair, muscle aches and emotional exhaustion.
Functional Kinesiology sessions can show you the organ's meridian areas that are out of balance. A variety of techniques are then used to bring the energies back into balance and lifestyle recommendations are made to support and maintain changes.
What can I do?
Hydrate - drink plenty of fluids but limit alcohol!
Healthy balanced meals - Ensure that you are eating a nutrient rich variety of foods, beetroot is very cleansing, bone broth is beneficial too. Herbs such as clove, cinnamon and nettles support the kidneys.
Rest, restore and revitalise - Sleep, stress reduction, exercise and taking time to rest, restores and revitalises all aspects of you - physical, emotional, mental.
Passions and interests - what do you do for fun and enjoyment? Be in nature? What environments inspire and uplift you?
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