Recommendations for Gout

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Posted on February 7, 2019 in General Health

A customer recently asked if CBD could help with symptoms of gout. While gout is technically a form of arthritis (joint inflammation) it is characterized by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints of the extremities. These crystals, or shards, of concentrated uric acid can irritate the sensitive connective tissue and lead to pain and loss of mobility. While products like CBD may offer some symptom relief through the cessation of inflammation, it does not necessarily eliminate the chemical irritant largely responsible for symptoms.

Coastal's Tart Cherry with Turmeric

To that end, I recommend a product containing tart cherry extract, which works to dissolve these crystals and remove them from the joint spaces. We carry a combination product that includes not only tart cherry extract but turmeric extract as well. Turmeric is well known for its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. Like CBD, it also interacts with our own Endocannabinoid system to act as a balancing influence.

Additionally, I would suggest minimizing intake of purine-rich foods as purine creates uric acid when broken down. Foods rich in purine include shellfish, red meat, refined sugars and alcoholic beverages. The symptoms of gout do not necessarily represent an over consumption of these foods, but rather a lack of efficiency in clearing uric acid from the body, which may worsen with age, and may be further restricted due to certain metabolic or genetic circumstances.

If you have further questions, come see Joel in the wellness department!

About the Author

Joel Hall

Coastal Pharmacy & Wellness Staff

At Coastal, Joel is our go-to guy for anything related to supplementation and the complex role nutrients play in every bodily function. Although he may be reserved, helping people find their way to optimal health drives what he does. If you see him staring intently at his computer screen, he’s most likely researching something that most of us can only partly understand. He loves sharing his accumulated knowledge and spends as much time as necessary to explain things in a way to help you make good health decisions. He's been working in the wellness arena since the early 2000's and has been in the pursuit of nutritional knowledge since way before that. You can find him behind the wellness desk Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information read our profile on Joel.

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