Alcohol and Gout - What You Need to Know

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Gout is a medical condition that is characterized by recurrent bouts of sudden stiffness, burning pain, and swelling of a joint, most commonly the big toe. The attacks of gout can recur and over time, the condition can harm the joints, tendons, and other tissues if not treated early.

Although it most often affects the large joint of the big toe, gout can affect other joints including the knees, ankles, feet, elbows, wrists, and hands. It frequently affects one joint at a time. But in chronic cases, it can affect several joints.

Gout is caused by excessive uric acid in the blood, but not all people with elevated uric acid levels develop gout. Gout can seem to flare up without any specific cause.

Some factors are known to bring about gout attacks such as obesity. A high purine diet or a diet that is rich in meat and seafood is another contributing factor. Other factors that may elevate uric acid in the body are certain medicines, rapid weight loss, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism.

It has been noted that men who drink alcohol may double their likelihood of developing gout. Researchers believe that although genes and environmental factors may lead to gout, regular alcohol consumption has caused an increase in cases of gout in the past three decades. Compared to other alcoholic beverages, beer contains much higher amounts of purines.

The researchers believe that alcohol consumption increases the risk of gout. Alcohol has high purine content that leads to an increased purine load. The digestive process then breaks down the purine compounds, leading to the formation of uric acid. When the uric acid is deposited in the joints, it leads to gout formation by stimulating an intense inflammatory reaction. The result is painful, red, and swollen joints.

Alcohol may also contribute to obesity, which in turn is associated with inadequate excretion of uric acid.
To prevent gout, avoid fish, particularly anchovies, crab, mackerel, sardines, and shrimps. Other foods to avoid are meat, organ meats, and meat extracts. People with history of gout should avoid excessive alcohol consumption or refrain from drinking alcohol altogether.

A gout supplement with cherry extract can help alleviate gout symptoms and has helped many gout sufferers.

Maintaining Healthy Joints with Glucosamine Supplement

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Glucosamine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body found in the fluid that is around the joints. The body produces this amino sugar and distributes it to the cartilages and other connective tissues. It is now one of the most common dietary supplements used by adults. There are several forms of glucosamine including glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochrloride, and N-acetyl-glucosamine.

Glucosamine sulfate is commonly used for arthritis and joint pain. Since the natural glucosamine found in the body is used to make and repair joint cartilage, glucosamine supplement is widely used to augment the glucosamine supply in the body and help repair damaged cartilage.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage, or the material that protects the joints, loses its natural elasticity. It may become very stiff, making it prone to damage. When the cartilage is damaged, it can lead to loss of movement, pain, and swelling. Most often, it occurs later in life and usually affects the hands and knees.

The natural wear and tear that comes with aging leads to joint degeneration and loss of cartilage. The cartilage cushions the ends of bones and over time, the smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough. When the cartilage wears down, the ends of the bones are damaged and this is felt as joint pain and stiffness.

There is no real treatment for osteoarthritis. The goals of management are to relieve pain, preserve joint function, and reduce physical disability. Medications include pain killers and cortisone shots. Therapy is likewise helpful. Avoid stressing the joints, maintain ideal weight, and use assistive devices to reduce stress on the joints.

Some studies have shown that glucosamine sulfate gave relief from joint pain. It is recognized as one of the more popular supplements for keeping the joints healthy by providing strength and elasticity. It has also gained popularity as a safe alternative to NSAIDs for relieving pain and inflammation.

What is DHEA

DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the body. It is produced mostly in the adrenal glands but also produced by the gonads and the brain.

Like the other hormones testosterone and estrogen, DHEA levels start to decrease after the age of 30. The levels of DHEA is also said to be diminished in people with anorexia, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and critically ill. Some researchers think that replacing DHEA with supplements may suppress some diseases and conditions.

This hormone is used for improving thinking skills in older people, slowing down the aging process, and improves well being. It is also used to prevent age related heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Studies have revealed that adult men with high plasma DHEA-S levels are less likely to die of cardiovascular disease. DHEA is also used to ease depression and fatigue as it was shown in research that there was improvement in measures of depression compared to those who were administered a placebo. It is quite promising for the alleviation of non major depression, although more studies need to be done.

Since the levels of this hormone decreases with aging, some researchers theorize that using DHEA supplements may help the overall health. Clinical evidence has revealed that older individuals had reduced abdominal fat and a decrease in insulin resistance after six months of taking the supplement.

DHEA is also used for boosting the immune system. The anti inflammatory properties of DHEA can potentially improve illnesses like nerve problems and certain types of cancer. It is frequently used by those with arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, certain nerve conditions, and those who want to fight the effects of aging. It is also suggested that it may prevent the growth and recurrence of some types of cancer, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women.

DHEA is applied to the skin or taken by mouth. It may also be combined with vitamin B1 and B12 for proper nerve function, available as a natural neuropathy supplement.

Basic Foot Care for Diabetics

People with diabetes are more prone to develop various foot problems. For diabetics, these can lead to serious complications if not managed early. This can be avoided by having the feet checked at least once a year by a foot doctor. It is very important to have a podiatrist in the health care team aside from the physician managing the blood glucose levels.

The individual should also inspect the feet on a daily basis for any blisters, cuts, sores, or red spots and must consult the foot doctor if any of these things are found. There is a risk of developing serious foot infection in people with diabetes. Guarding against infection is vital for diabetics. The most basic way to prevent cuts or blisters is by wearing well fitting shoes and socks at all times. Also, make it a habit to check inside the shoes for gravel or any object that can cause foot injury before wearing them. Do not walk barefoot.

Dry skin is also a frequent problem. Other skin conditions that can occur are corn, calluses, fungal infections, and cracked skin. A thin coat of lotion can be used to keep the skin soft and moisturized. Use this only over the tops and bottoms of the feet, not between the toes. Calluses must be managed by a podiatrist because these can lead to open wounds.

Keeping the feet clean daily is very important. Use water at room temperature along with a mild soap and dry the feet thoroughly especially between the toes after washing. Avoid ingrown toenails by trimming nails straight across instead of curved.

Avoid smoking as this raises the chances of developing foot problems. This may lead to poor blood circulation and poor healing.

Another potential problem is nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy. Around 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy, the most common of which is peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms may be mild tingling of the feet, numbness, or pain in the toes, feet, legs, arms, and fingers. The risk increases with age and the duration of diabetes.

In many cases, peripheral neuropathy is also due to vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies, especially B vitamins can cause damage to the nerve tissues, causing painful neuropathy of the extremities. If any symptoms are felt, see a foot doctor immediately for proper management. Taking supplements are also important in the treatment and prevention of neuropathies.

The Importance of Vitamin D

Low Vitamin D Linked to NFL Injuries.

Low levels of vitamin D can increase a professional athlete's chances of injury, according to study findings by Summit Medical Group, a study of 89 players from the NFL's New York Giants during their 2010 pre-season evaluations, 80 percent of the players were found to have insufficient levels of vitamin D.

Findings also revealed that African American players and players who suffered muscle injuries had significantly lower levels. For the study they analyzed data on the number of players who had lost time because of muscle injuries. Vitamin D levels were then classified based on player race and time lost because of muscle injury.

It was presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in San Diego on Sunday July 10, 2011.

Symptoms and Health Risks attributed to Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms of muscle pain and bone pain can mean you have a vitamin D deficiency. However, for a lot of people, the symptoms are subtle. But even without symptoms, too little vitamin D can pose health risks.

Inadequate blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following:

1. Higher risk of death from heart disease
2. Cognitive impairment in older adults
3. Severe asthma in children
4. Certain forms of cancer

Vitamin D is manufactured in the body when bare skin is exposed to sunlight. The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, a mineral essential to bone structure, muscle function and cardiovascular health. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, a deficiency of vitamin D can cause muscle weakness and pain and low bone-mineral density in both adults and children. Studies have shown a correlation between the incidence of traumatic injuries and vitamin D status.

Research suggests that vitamin D can play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.

New research has connected vitamin-D deficiency to higher risk of muscle injuries in athletes.

Researchers looked at 89 football players from a single NFL team and conducted lab tests of vitamin D levels in the spring of 2010. The mean age of the players was 25.The team gave the researchers data to allow them to determine which players had lost time because of muscle injuries.The results showed that 27 players had deficient levels of the sunshine vitamin, and 45 more had levels consistent with insufficiency.

Only 17 players had levels within normal limits. Sixteen players had suffered a muscle injuryand the mean vitamin-D level of the injured players was 19.9 nh/mL, a deficient value.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can occur for a number of reasons:
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1. You don't consume the recommended levels of the vitamin over time. This is likely if you follow a strictly vegetarian diet, because most of the natural sources are animal-based, including fish and fish oils, egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.

2. You have limited exposure to sunlight. Because the body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, you may be at risk of deficiency if you are homebound, reside in northern latitudes, wear long robes or head coverings for religious reasons, or have an occupation that prevents sun exposure.

3. You have dark skin. The pigment melanin reduces the skin's ability to make vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure. Some studies show that older adults with darker skin are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

4. Your kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form. With aging, the kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form, thus increasing the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

5. Your digestive tract cannot adequately absorb vitamin D. Some medical problems, including Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease, can affect your intestine's ability to absorb vitamin D from the food you eat.

6. You are overweight. Vitamin D is extracted from the blood by fat cells, affecting its release into the circulation. People with a body mass index of 30 or more often have low blood levels of vitamin D

Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

Treatment for vitamin D deficiency involves getting more vitamin D -- through diet, supplements, and/or through spending more time under the sun. Although there is no consensus on vitamin D levels required for optimal health -- and it likely differs depending on age and health conditions -- a concentration of less than 20 nanograms per milliliter is generally considered inadequate, requiring treatment.

Simple blood test can be obtained to know if serum concentrations are within the acceptable normal limit, and those who are found to be deficient or on the lower end of normal with muscle aches, recurrent stress fractures, or other symptoms will be placed on some form of supplementary treatment protocol.

Guidelines from the Institute of Medicine call for increasing the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin D to 600 international units (IU) for everyone aged 1-70, and raising it to 800 IU for adults older than 70 to optimize bone health. If you don't spend much time in the sun or always are careful to cover your skin, as sunscreen inhibits vitamin D production, you should speak to your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement, especially if you have other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency as mentioned earlier.

Many foods and drinks have fortified vitamin D as well, and also many doctor's offices are offering supplementation or at least recommendations for such in their offices.

Article by Dr. Brian Timm of the Family Foot and Leg Center, PA

How to Prevent Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetics

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeIn time, people with diabetes can develop nerve damage or neuropathy. Around 60 percent of diabetics can have some form of neuropathy. Some people may have nerve damage with no symptoms while others experience nerve problems. This can be felt as pain, tingling, or numbness of the hands and feet.

The risk of having some degree of neuropathy increases with the duration of the diabetes. Peopel with uncontrolled blood sugar levels also have increased risk of having neuropathy. Other factors are high blood pressure and obesity or being overweight.

Diabetic neuropathies can be due to a number of causes. The most common are elevated blood glucose, high blood fat levels, and long duration of diabetes. Another reason is inflammation of the nerves caused by autoimmune factors. Heredity also plays a role in increased susceptibility to nerve disease. Smoking and alcohol use are also contributing factors to developing neuropathy.

The symptoms usually start as numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet. Later on, the numbness or pain can be felt in the toes, legs, arms, hands, and fingers. Other signs and symptoms of neuropathy include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, and weakness.

There are also different types of diabetic neuropathy but the most frequent type is peripheral neuropathy. The feet and legs are commonly affected first, followed by the hands and arms. It is a long term complication of diabetes and the damage to the nerves continues over a long time.

For diabetics, controlling the blood glucose levels and having regular exercise can help prevent neuropathy. Consume foods that are lower in calories and higher in complex carbohydrates such as those found in vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

Nerve damage is also very common in people with vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin is vital for proper functioning of the nervous system and in the production of red blood cells. Also, a lack of vitamin B1 or thiamine is linked to vascular system damage, which includes the nerves in the hands and feet. Thiamine is essential for a lot of metabolic functions of the body.

In addition to good diet, proper exercise a neuropathy supplement containing B1 and B12 can help diabetics and non diabetics to avoid tingling, numbness, and burning pains to the feet and hands.

The Use of Cherry Extract in Gout Treatment

Image via WikipediaNatural treatments for gout are becoming more popular lately. This is because these are more inexpensive than drug based ones and they really work. Research has shown that cherries are very promising in gout management.

Cherries belong to the genus Prunus. The native range of the wild cherry can be found through most of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Cherries are rich in anthocyanins, shown to reduce pain and inflammation in rats. Anthocyanins are very powerful antioxidants. These are particularly found in concentrated amounts as pigments in berries. Anthocyanin pigments have shown the ability to protect against a lot of human diseases. These are members of the flavinoid group of phytochemicals. Laboratory tests have shown potential health benefits against aging, cancer, bacterial infections, and inflammation.

In gout, uric acid overload in the body leads to the formation of tiny crystal deposits in the joints. Joint inflammation or arthritis is due to the formation of crystals. Gout is a chronic condition and it is a progressive disease involving the joints. The attacks are very painful with rapid onset of joint inflammation, pain, heat, and redness of the affected joint tissues.

Medications that reduce inflammation are very important in the treatment of gout. Prevention of future attacks is equally important as treating acute gout attacks. To avoid attacks, ensure adequate fluid intake and reduce alcohol intake. Weight reduction is another way to manage gout. Dietary changes and avoiding foods rich in protein and purines are important.

Pain relievers, NSAIDS, colchichine, allopurinol, and corticosteroids are the usual gout medications. In addition to gout medicines, gout supplements have shown to aid in preventing gout attacks. Cherry extract has very powerful anti inflammatory properties. Preliminary research suggests that eating around 20 cherries a day or around one cup can cut the risk of recurrent gout attacks by fifty percent. Take supplements with wild cherry to easily and conveniently manage gout, with equally excellent results.

Problems with Low Thiamine

Image by Marco P. Sanchez via FlickrThiamine or Vitamin B1 is needed in numerous cellular processes in the body. It is used in converting carbohydrates from food into energy. It is especially useful in proper muscle and nervous system functioning.
Thiamine is found in many types of food including meat, grains, beans, and nuts. But since there is very little thiamine stored in the body, this B vitamin can be depleted as quickly as within two weeks.

Poor diet and crash dieting can lead to thiamine deficiency. Chronic alcohol excess will also put you at risk for deficits. There are also certain health conditions that can cause low thiamine levels like liver dysfunction, kidney problems, and genetic problems in thiamine metabolism.

The early symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency are nonspecific, thus they are easy to miss. This includes fatigue, poor digestion, irritability, mental depression, and appetite loss. All of these symptoms can be attributed to other conditions and illnesses. Later on, other signs and symptoms can be noted such as loss of weight, mental depression, nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and slow heartbeat.

Other conditions associated with thiamine deficiency are muscular weakness and leg cramps. Lack of thiamine can lead to tingling, painful, or numb feet and hands, called peripheral neuropathy. Individuals with high risk of neuropathy or have a chronic medical condition should include lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the diet. It is especially important that early diagnosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy is done.

Although there is no way to prevent all cases of neuropathy, careful management of the underlying diseases or problems can help prevent it. The symptoms will improve once the cause is determined and treated correctly.
In the case of peripheral neuropathy due to lack of thiamine, the condition can be corrected.

Nerve damage is common in individuals with thiamine and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Reversing thiamine deficiency is a popular and often highly successful way to nutritionally manage peripheral neuropathy. This is easily done with a neuropathy supplement with thiamine, vitamin B12, and alpha lipoic acid.

Peripheral Neuropathy Can Be Improved With Supplements

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The peripheral nerves send information to and from the brain. These nerves also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. The term peripheral neuropathy means that there is damage to these nerves. The nerves may not be functioning properly or there can be some degree of nerve damage. It frequently causes numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet.

There are numerous causes of peripheral neuropathy. The condition can be due to physical injury or trauma, infection, toxins, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, or metabolic problems. One of the most frequent causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes.

Neuropathies are among the most common problems of diabetes. This arises when blood sugar remains elevated for a long time. This is often noted as tingling of the feet or a feeling of pins and needles in the feet. Other times, there is burning or shooting pain in the feet or the feet and hands get very cold or very hot. In more severe cases, there may be numbness of the feet.

In the management of peripheral neuropathy, the underlying cause must first be corrected. The condition often improves on its own when the cause is effectively managed. For instance, those caused by vitamin deficiencies can be corrected with better diet and vitamin therapy. When neuropathy is related to diabetes, the blood sugar levels should be monitored and put under control.

There are a lot of drugs that can be used to relieve the pain of peripheral neuropathy. To control mild symptoms, over the counter pain medications can be used. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key because the peripheral nerves only have a limited capacity to regenerate. In advanced cases, most treatments may only stop the progression but cannot reverse the damage that has been incurred.

The best approach is preventing peripheral neuropathy from occurring. It can be as basic as eating a healthy diet with more fresh fruits and vegetables. It is helpful that essential vitamins and minerals are included in the diet. Low fat meat, whole grains, and low fat dairy products are excellent for the body. Regular exercise and avoiding alcoholic drinks can help prevent nerve damage.

Thiamine deficiency or lack of vitamin B1 is a known cause of peripheral neuropathy. Reversing thiamine deficiency is a good and often highly successful way to nutritionally manage peripheral neuropathy. In addition to thiamine, vitamin B12, DHEA, and alpha lipoic acid are very helpful, and these can be taken as neuropathy supplement such as NeuRx.