Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/820827
Painful, s ff and inflamed joints are a few of the characteris c symptoms of gout, which is a type of arthri s that is typically, but not always, located on your great toe. When an a ack occurs, the pain can be debilita ng, with sufferers o en describing it as being burned by a flame or skewered with a hot poker. Gout symptoms usually go away within three to 10 days, and the next a ack may not occur for months, or even years, if at all. However, o en mes gout becomes a lifelong problem, with a acks occurring with increasing frequency and severity. In me, this can permanently damage your joints and surrounding areas. Needless to say, preven ng gout a acks is essen al to maintaining your quality of life – which is why new research showing cherries might do the trick is worth shou ng from the roo ops. 10-12 Cherries a Day Can Reduce Gout Attack Risk In a study of over 600 people with gout, those who ate a ½-cup serving of cherries a day, the equivalent of about 10 or 12 cherries, or consumed cherry extract, had a 35 percent lower risk of a subsequent gout a ack. Those who ate more cherries, up to three servings in two days, had an even lower, 50 percent reduc on in risk. It might seem strange that cherries would lower your risk of gout, as this condi on is o en associated with sugar, fructose and fruit juice consump on. But you only need to eat a small amount of cherries to get the benefit, meaning the sugar contribu on is small. Plus, they contain powerful compounds like anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which are known to fight inflamma on. They may also be beneficial because of their impact on your uric acid levels. Gout occurs when the metabolic processes that control the amount of uric acid in your blood fail to do their job effec vely. The s ffness and swelling are a result of excess uric- acid-forming crystals in your joints, and the pain associated with this condi on disease is caused by your body's inflammatory response to the crystals. Past studies have found: • Ea ng two servings of cherries a er an overnight fast lead to a 15 percent reduc on in uric acid, and lower nitric oxide and C-reac ve protein levels (which are associated with inflammatory diseases like gout.) The researchers noted the study supports "the reputed an - gout efficacy of cherries" as well as "evidence that compounds in cherries may inhibit inflammatory pathways." • Consuming tart cherry juice daily for four weeks may lower your levels of uric acid Fructose and Uric Acid: If You Have Gout, You Need to Know The Connection Drinking just one soda or 6-ounce glass of orange juice a day has been linked to a significant increase in gout – 74 percent and 41 percent, respec vely – compared to drinking these only rarely. We believe the May Help Reduce Risk of Gout Attacks Cherries By Dr. Mercola Page 38 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysHealthAndNutrition.com