Gout got you down? Like a railroad-spike-through-the-knee
kind of down?
Tart cherries to the rescue!
By Gina Andreucci
A study recently released by Boston University School of
Medicine links our favorite cherries with a reduction in gout attacks—between
35 and 75 percent! The study is one of the first to scientifically examine the
effects of cherry consumption with the recurrence of gout attacks, although
many arthritic patients are well aware of the benefits of cherries for their pain
and inflammation.
What is Gout?
Gout is a kind of arthritis characterized by painful joint
inflammation, particularly in the big toe, knees and ankles that is due to an
excess of uric acid in the blood. It is both an acute and chronic affliction of
which the exact cause is unknown. Gout may be genetic and is more commonly
found in men, post-menopausal women, and heavy alcohol drinkers.
8.3 million sufferers in the US would all agree: gout is the
pits.
A gout attack is extremely painful and may last up to
several days, and subsequent attacks may last longer. Treatment of a gout
attack may include anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers or corticosteroids to
reduce pain and inflammation. Chronic gout sufferers may be prescribed
allopurinol, a daily medication designed to keep uric acid levels in the body
low.
The Study
During the study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, 633
individuals with gout were followed for one year. Patients provided information
on symptoms, onset, risk factors, and whether or not they ate fresh cherries or
took cherry extract during the year. Researchers gathered information for 1,247
gout attacks – roughly two per patient.
What they discovered was that the participants that ate
cherries for two days were 35% less likely to suffer a gout attack than those
who did not consume cherries. Participants who reported that they ate cherries
in addition to taking their allopurinol medication were 75% less likely to
experience an attack.
But what is the magic number for cherries? The study found that
three servings (30-36 cherries) over two days proved the most beneficial.
Tart cherries are excellent for anti-inflammation, and high
levels of antioxidant compounds found in cherries as well as vitamin C are two
components that scientists believe may contribute to the reduction in gout
flares. Arthritis Research UK professor
Alan Silman admits “Eating
cherries, in fact, is not dissimilar to taking ibuprofen on a daily basis.”
The
study does not recommend patients abandon standard medical treatment for gout
or arthritis, but scientists look forward to future studies to confirm the
power of cherries.
Source:
"Cherry Consumption and the Risk of Recurrent Gout
Attacks"; Yuqing Zhang, Tuhina Neogi, Clara Chen, Christine
Chaisson, David Hunter, Hyon K. Choi; Arthritis & Rheumatism,
anticipated online publication 28 September 2012; DOI: 10.1002/art.34677;
Additional sources: Wiley-Blackwell, Arthritis Research UK.
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