Are you one of the approximately 4 percent of adults in the United States who suffer from gout? Are you wary of prescription and over-the-counter medications? (Many of us are!)
If you’re interested in using natural remedies to keep gout attacks at bay, you might be interested in learning about one of the best remedies on the market: turmeric.
Yes, that bright yellow spice is good for way more than just adding color and flavor to Eastern cuisine.
There are many benefits that come from using turmeric for gout attack prevention and pain relief. Read on to learn more about it.
What is Turmeric?
When you think of turmeric, you probably think of delicious, brightly colored Indian and Middle Eastern food. But, what actually is turmeric, and why is it so effective in treating and preventing gout attacks?
Turmeric is a spice that is filled with powerful medicinal compounds.
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory with antioxidant properties. It neutralizes free radicals and prevents oxidative damage – the type of damage that causes joint pain and inflammation.
Turmeric also has antibacterial, anticancer, and antiviral properties. This makes it a great supplement for people with autoimmune conditions.
Why Use Turmeric for Gout?
Because of its many medicinal properties, turmeric is a great natural remedy for people who struggle with gout.
Explained below are some of the specific ways that turmeric can be used to treat and prevent gout attacks:
1.) Reduced Uric Acid Levels
Gout attacks stem from an increase of uric acid in the blood. Turmeric can help lower blood urate levels and increase the excretion of uric acid when you urinate. (And don’t forget to increase your water intake throughout the day!)
Turmeric does this by regulating the activity of the proteins associated with the transport of uric acid. It also inhibits specific biochemical pathways and, as a result, improves kidney function.
Both of these actions allow for more uric acid excretion and reduce the risk of uric acid buildup.
2.) Reduced Inflammation
Gout is an inflammatory disease, and turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent. It works differently than other anti-inflammatories, though.
Conventional anti-inflammatories act on just one inflammatory enzyme. Turmeric, on the other hand, has an effect on several inflammatory enzymes and inflammatory pathways. This makes it more effective than other treatment options.
One study found that turmeric can modulate 30 different molecular targets to help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
3.) Pain Relief
In addition to relieving inflammation and swelling, turmeric is also a powerful pain reliever. Studies show that its effects are comparable to those brought on by popular painkillers like aspirin.
The great thing about using turmeric for pain relief in lieu of traditional painkillers is that your body doesn’t seem to build up a tolerance to it like it does to other remedies.
Turmeric also works very quickly to relieve pain. In fact, one study found that gout patients who took turmeric supplements experienced relief just as quickly as they would have had they taken a tradition anti-inflammatory drug. These patients also saw a significant reduction in their pain in just 24-48 hours.
4.) Fewer Side Effects Than Other Painkillers
Another great reason to use turmeric for pain relief instead of traditional painkillers is the fact that turmeric doesn’t come with many – if any – side effects.
The same cannot be said for conventional pain treatments. In fact, many of them, especially NSAIDs like ibuprofen, have been linked to an increased risk of developing digestive issues like acid reflux, gastric ulcers, and gastritis (gut inflammation).
Not only does turmeric not cause any of these issues, but it actually can protect against them. Its gastroprotective properties make it a safe product to consume on its own or alongside other painkillers as a protective measure.
5.) Increased Weight Loss
Being overweight or obese increases one’s risk of having high uric acid levels. This, in turn, increases one’s risk of experiencing a gout attack.
Turmeric has been shown to work very well at reducing weight and overall body fat when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. You still have to put the work in if you want to lose weight, but turmeric can provide a bit of a boost to help you along the way on your journey.
6.) Improved Metabolic Health
Turmeric isn’t just beneficial for weight loss. It also helps improve overall metabolic health by improving the following functions in the body:
- Reduces cholesterol levels
- Lowers blood pressure
- Protects the heart
- Reduces symptoms of metabolic syndrome
By improving these metabolic processes, the risk of uric acid buildup decreases, as does the risk of experiencing a gout attack in the future.
How to Use Turmeric for Gout
When it comes to using turmeric for gout, there are a few different approaches you can take.
One option is to simply add liberal amounts of the spice to your favorite foods. You can also make a turmeric latte by mixing a teaspoon of turmeric with coconut milk, fresh ginger, and a little honey for some extra sweetness.
Many people also prefer to take turmeric supplements, which are capsules or tablets that contain turmeric. These supplements also, in many cases, contain other ingredients that help strengthen the effects of turmeric.
Turmeric supplements are a great option for people who don’t particularly like the taste of turmeric.
It’s also easier to remember to take a supplement each day than it is to adjust your favorite recipes to incorporate turmeric.
How and When to Use Turmeric or Turmeric Supplements
For people who struggle with gout, turmeric and turmeric supplements should be used consistently as a preventative measure.
Take them at the same time each day so that it’s easier for you to establish a habit and make them a regular part of your routine.
You can also take additional turmeric or turmeric supplements if you’re in the midst of a gout attack and need additional pain relief or help to minimize inflammation.
It’s best to take your supplements with food, specifically food that is high in fat.
The anti-inflammatory compounds in turmeric are fat-soluble compounds. Because of this, you probably won’t experience as many of the benefits if you just take your supplements with water. This is why you see so many people making turmeric lattes with coconut milk or coconut oil – the fat allows you to experience more benefits than you would otherwise.
How Much Turmeric Should I Take?
There is no one-size-fits-all dosage when it comes to treating gout with turmeric. The specific amount you take will depend on your age and weight, as well as any other medications you may be taking.
In many studies, the patients who were being treated with turmeric took supplements that contained about 500 milligrams twice per day (which our very own supplement has).
If you’re using turmeric in spice form, add a teaspoon or two your food or drinks. If you’re using turmeric supplements, it’s best to start with the lowest dose recommended on the bottle. You can always take more of the supplement later if you don’t notice the effects right away.
Should Anyone Not Use Turmeric?
Turmeric is safe for most people. However, some people have experienced some mild side effects when using it.
The commonly reported side effects of turmeric include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Stomach upset
It’s not ideal for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to take turmeric supplements. People who are on other medications, including blood thinners and diabetes medications, should also avoid it.
Blood clotting herbs like angelica and ginseng can also experience some negative reactions when they add turmeric to their supplement routine.
Other Natural Gout Treatments
Turmeric is one of the most well-known natural gout treatments on the market. But, there are a few others that are worth investigating as well, including the following:
- Tart cherry juice (contains many anti-oxidants and can be combined with other medications to increase their effects)
- Celery seed extract (rich in inflammation-fighting anti-oxidants)
- Nettles (anti-inflammatory phytonutrients found in certain types of tea)
- Fish oil (full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for fighting inflammation)
- Proteolytic enzymes (aid in digestive and prevent uric acid buildup)
- Magnesium (an alkaline mineral that prevents uric acid buildup)
These natural remedies are all considered to be safe to combine with turmeric for additional anti-inflammatory and pain relieving benefits.
Some of the aforementioned items are found in our supplement line.
Try Turmeric for Gout Today
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits that come from using turmeric and turmeric supplements for gout treatment and prevention. It’s no wonder turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes in the east for hundreds of years!
Are you ready to give it a try?
If you want to reap all the benefits of turmeric and get an additional boost from other natural anti-inflammatory treatments, be sure to head to our online store and check out our tart cherry and turmeric supplements today.
