Natural treatments have consistently been the best alternative to expensive gout treatment. Gout can be an extremely sudden illness, and it's brought on by uric acid crystal formations which may be lodged inside the joints, kidneys, and skin. The reason for this is because there is too much uric acid in the blood. Gout is commonly associated with a swollen big toe joint, but it can affect other joints also.

Try to avoid foods that have a high purine content. During digestion, foods which contain purine produce uric acid. When blood with high levels of uric acid circulates to the joints, it may crystallize in the form of monosodium urate. These crystals then trigger inflammation, which is the cause of the discomfort. Why the crystallization occurs is not well understood - it may be due to lower temperatures (which would explain why the big toe is often affected). Gout has dietary causes in about 12 per cent of cases, especially from the consumption of alcohol, fructose-sweetened drinks, meat, and seafood. Foods that were once considered to cause gout (but in fact, do not) include purine-rich vegetables (e.g., beans, peas, lentils, and spinach.

One of the most popular gout natural treatments is merely eating foods that can help bring your uric acid levels down. Cherries are known to be beneficial in this regard, as long as they are taken in sufficiently large quantities. A good rule-of-thumb is 25 per day. Consumption of water is also very important - this is especially important if you are exercising. If you get dehydrated, it's easier for the crystals to form in the joints. Water will also help the body to eliminate uric acid.

For exercising, you could consider swimming which is good exercise for the whole body, yet does not put undue pressure on any of the joints. Vitamin C strengthens the body's tissues and can also relieve joint discomfort. One apple each day helps to lower uric acid amounts. Apples have malic acid that reduces the agonizing effects of uric acid.

Try to maintain your weight to a reasonable level. Your doctor will advise you of what your ideal weight should be. Having extra body fat will increase the likelihood of gout.

Finally, a good diet plan is the best defence against gout. Avoid high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. High-protein foods can also contain high purine levels. Eat vegetables with high carbohydrate levels, such as potatoes and sweetcorn. Eat wholegrain cereals apples and bananas. Avoid seafood, and reduce your intake of red meat.