Gout - a painful disease of affluence
Gout is a purine metabolic disease that occurs in episodes. Prevention is the be-all and end-all here. A diet rich in animal purines, fat or added fructose or excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided. The additional intake of certain vital mushrooms can make a valuable contribution to prevention.
The cause of the metabolic disease gout is an increased uric acid concentration in the blood. As a result, uric acid crystals form and are deposited in the joints and tissues. There are many different triggers that cause uric acid levels to rise uncontrollably, leading to the onset of gout. These include certain diseases, medications, unbalanced and unhealthy diets, lack of exercise and obesity.
For these reasons, gout is also known as the “disease of affluence.” Often, many patients also have a congenital predisposition to elevated uric acid levels. Around 80% of patients suffering from gout are male between the ages of 40 and 60. This is mainly attributed to the increased consumption of meat and alcohol by men compared to women. In women, however, the risk increases after menopause.
Gout is often associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus, elevated blood lipid levels and hypertension. Uric acid alone can be responsible for rising blood pressure.
Gout disease progresses in four phases, beginning with a permanent increase in uric acid levels. In this first phase, there are usually no symptoms. In the second phase, an acute attack of gout then occurs. The first symptom of an acute gout attack is severe pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe in 60% of cases. In addition to the big toe joint, the ankle, tarsal, or knee joint may occasionally be affected. An acute attack of gout is accompanied by fever, severe pain, redness, swelling and heat in the affected joint, and pain with movement.
The third or “intercritical” phase refers to a symptom-free period between two seizures. This phase can last for several years. Due to the now good medical care and treatment, the fourth phase rarely occurs nowadays. This is a chronic gout that can lead to irreversible joint changes or even kidney failure due to the deposition of uric acid crystals.
In order to prevent gout disease, a change should be made to an alkaline, low-fat diet and only small amounts of alcohol or soft drinks should be consumed. Recent studies show that plant purines – such as those found in legumes or spinach – are not a risk factor in the context of a healthy diet.
In addition to the avoidance of triggering factors, vital mushrooms have proven themselves well both as a precautionary measure and in the treatment of gout. In mycotherapy, the vital mushrooms shiitake, cordyceps and reishi are used in particular, as they have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and are also considered to purify the blood.
These vital mushrooms also support the deacidification measures that are so important in cases of elevated uric acid and the detoxification organs liver and kidney, which together with an alkaline diet and sufficient drinking can support the disposal of uric acid and positively influence the fat metabolism that is often altered in gout. More information and a detailed video on the therapy of gout with vital mushrooms can be found here.
Important note
All these vital mushrooms are available as mushroom powder in capsules. Leading scientists advise great care in the selection. Especially proven so-called “mushroom powder from the whole mushroom. This contains all the effective ingredients of the vital mushrooms. Another quality feature is the cultivation of mushrooms in Germany in BIO quality.
Before taking vital mushrooms, it is essential to seek professional advice. For an individual recommendation, please use our free telephone consultation: +49 40 334686-300.
