Gout is classified as a rheumatic disease. Like osteoporosis, it is a metabolic disease whose symptoms affect the musculoskeletal system. Statistics say that gout is one of the most common diet-related diseases in adults. Affected individuals complain primarily of seizure-like pain in individual joints. Along with the pain, there is swelling and redness because the joint is inflamed. In the worst case, gout manifests itself into a chronic disease that permanently damages and deforms the joints. We will talk about other consequences such as kidney stones and gouty nodules later.
First of all, it is important to know that gout is caused by a metabolic product in our body: uric acid. Almost every gout disease is accompanied by elevated uric acid levels in the blood plasma, which experts also call “hyperuricemia”. Uric acid can precipitate under certain conditions. When the resulting sharp-edged crystals are deposited in the area of joints, they cause tiny injuries. These give rise to inflammation, which then leads to the pain and swelling described. So when it comes to the topic of prevention and treatment, you should always keep in mind that uric acid is the linchpin of this disease. So a natural remedy for gout is usually also a natural remedy for elevated uric acid levels in the blood.
Studies have shown that about 30% of men and 3% of women in industrialized nations have elevated levels of uric acid in their blood. However, only about one in ten people with hyperuricemia actually develops gout. Overall, the prevalence is between one and two percent, making gout the most common form of arthritis in adults. In very rare cases, gout attacks also occur without a relevantly elevated uric acid level being detected. So while uric acid is a major factor when it comes to the risk of developing gout. Nevertheless, it is not the only decisive factor. We will take a closer look at other favorable or risk factors in a moment.
Although men are ten times more likely to have elevated uric acid levels than women, they are only about five times more likely to develop gout. The onset of the disease is typically after the age of 40. On average, women are even older at the onset of the disease, as they are largely protected from elevated uric acid levels until menopause thanks to estrogens. The female hormones support the kidney in its task of excreting excess uric acid.
It is interesting to note that gout often occurs in association with metabolic syndrome. This is a combination of various health problems associated with malnutrition and metabolic disorders: High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, elevated blood lipid levels. For people suffering from metabolic syndrome, it is very interesting that with the help of vital mushrooms they can well stabilize their health condition and thus prevent gout disease.
In addition, the incidence of the disease increases with age. However, this is primarily due to other diseases and medications that involve elevated uric acid levels.
So far, uric acid is a completely natural substance that our body has to deal with on an ongoing basis. It only becomes a problem when its concentration rises above a healthy level. In many cases, the reason for this is insufficient excretion. Likewise, excessive production of uric acid may be to blame. That is why natural remedies for gout are usually designed to promote the excretion of uric acid or, as many vital mushrooms do, to down-regulate excessive production. This is so important because above a certain concentration our body no longer manages to dissolve the uric acid. Consequently, it crystallizes and sodium urate is formed. These tiny, sharp-edged crystals are deposited preferentially in joints, bursae, tendons and also under the skin.
These crystals then trigger the aforementioned inflammation with pain and swelling. The body’s own complement system is involved in this process. This is a part of the innate immune system. It uses proteins to try to attract certain defense cells, such as neutrophil granulocytes, to the site of the incident. In this context, pro-inflammatory messenger substances (cytokines) such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and other pro-inflammatory substances are then released. In this context, vital mushrooms with anti-inflammatory properties provide valuable assistance in alleviating the symptoms.
Where exactly is the critical uric acid level above which gout occurs? At up to 6.5 milligrams of uric acid per deciliter of blood, experts speak of a normal level. Anything above that is a risk factor for gout disease. Strictly speaking, this value applies to men, while the uric acid standard is set lower for women. However, when it comes to the risk of disease with regard to gout, the 6.5 mg / dl limit also applies to the female sex.
However, this does not mean that every person with elevated uric acid levels suffers from gout! Other factors, such as the environment in the joint and the temperature, also seem to play a role here. The lower (more acidic) the pH of the synovial fluid and the colder the tissue at the joint, the more likely the sodium urate crystals will form. However, above a concentration of 8 milligrams of uric acid per deciliter of blood, the probability of disease increases rapidly almost independently of the other two factors mentioned. It is therefore highly advisable to use natural remedies for gout as early as possible in order to prevent uric acid levels from rising so high in the first place.
Typically, the first attack of gout in most people affects the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. This is due to the fact that this is one of the coldest parts of the entire body and cold, as I said, promotes the precipitation of uric acid. The joint at the base of the big toe can be up to ten degrees Celsius colder than the rest of the body.
It is also typical that gout attacks start at night or in the early morning hours. Pain, swelling and redness then reach their peak after six to twelve hours. The affected joint is then extremely sensitive to pressure and hot. Accompanying fever and chills may occur.
It usually takes one to two weeks for the symptoms to completely resolve on their own. Because of the pain, an analgesic is often administered concomitantly. When the swelling subsides, the skin around the joint sometimes peels. In addition to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe, the joints of the foot, knee, elbow, hand and fingers can also be affected by an attack of gout. Shoulders and hips, on the other hand, are very rarely affected.
As a further consequence of a permanently elevated uric acid level, so-called gout nodules or “tophi” can form. Approximately 30% of individuals with an untreated gout attack develop such nodules within five years. They are deposited near joints, on bones, cartilage and under the skin. This primarily affects the elbow, toe and finger joints as well as the Achilles tendons and the cartilage of the ear. The problem is that these gouty nodules cause permanent pain. The good news, on the other hand, is that treatment to lower uric acid, accompanied, for example, by vital mushrooms as a natural remedy for gout, also makes tophi smaller again.
In addition to a balanced, plant-based diet, alkaline baths also help to raise the pH level in the body. This can be both full and foot baths. Also helpful for gout are regular sauna sessions. Please do sports only in the moderate performance range, because lactic acid is formed in the body during excessive exertion. In general, it is important to reduce stress and get enough sleep so that the body can generate well and the metabolism is not affected.
There is a selection of vital mushrooms that are particularly helpful for elevated uric acid levels and thus as a natural remedy for gout. In addition to Reishi and Cordyceps, these are Shiitake, Pleurotus and Maitake. However, other vital mushrooms can also be useful depending on the cause of the elevated uric acid levels, concomitant diseases and overall physical condition.
Our experts will be happy to advise you. You can determine the optimal combination and dosage of medicinal mushrooms for you individually.
Basically, the following properties of vital mushrooms are helpful in connection with a gout disease:
Reishi is a very important natural remedy for gout. It is not only analgesic, but also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant due to its high concentration of triterpenes. Thanks to its vegetative balancing properties, it promotes the regeneration processes in the body. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicine also attributes to it the ability to calm the mind. Lower stress levels reduce the risk of stress-induced increases in uric acid levels.
Cordyceps is the most important vital mushroom for the kidneys. It strengthens them in their function and protects them. It thus stimulates the excretion of urinary substances such as uric acid. Besides, it has a positive influence on the adrenal glands. Among other things, the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released here. The regulative effect of cordyceps on hormone production makes itself felt stress-reducing.
Shiitake is a vital mushroom that has been shown to lower uric acid. So it is an incredibly valuable natural remedy for gout – especially primary gout. Thanks to its alkaline properties, it provides an environment in the joints in which it is difficult for uric acid crystals to form. In addition, its ingredients rebuild damaged joints and promote their overall mobility. It is able to relieve possible pain in the area of the joints.
However, the shiitake is not only a pure vital mushroom, but also a valuable edible mushroom. Due to its high content of protein, it is considered an excellent substitute for meat. Unlike animal foods, however, it lowers cholesterol by driving the breakdown of cholesterol. This is a great help when someone wants to reduce their excess weight. In addition, it is very helpful that the shiitake exerts an alkaline effect on our body. In an acidic environment, uric acid crystals precipitate much faster than in a basic environment.
Pleurotus is also a tasty edible mushroom. It has a high content of protein as well as B vitamins. Especially people who are prone to metabolic syndrome should often replace a meat meal with a mushroom dish. Like shiitake, pleurotus has a lowering effect on blood lipid levels, reducing the risk of dyslipidemia. At this point it is also worth mentioning that its ingredients nourish and build the intestinal flora. All these properties are very valuable in the context of gout, because obesity and metabolic syndrome are clustered together with elevated uric acid levels.
Maitake should be mentioned here primarily as a recommendation for people with problems with fat metabolism. In fact, it is the preferred vital mushroom when it comes to metabolic syndrome. As already mentioned, the risk of elevated uric acid levels increases as soon as the metabolism as a whole gets out of whack. Maitake helps here, for example, by boosting fat metabolism and subsequently lowering the level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood. Thus, it makes a valuable contribution to weight management. With regard to diabetes, it is also interesting that maitake can reverse an existing insulin resistance of the body’s cells to some extent.
Finally, experience with mycotherapy has shown that powder in capsules is the ideal dosage form. It is essential that the whole mushroom is gently ground into powder in order to preserve all the ingredients. The capsule itself protects the powder from premature spoilage. Moreover, capsules are extremely user-friendly, as they are easy to dose and take.
