The Uric Acid Loop
Does tart cherry hold the key for relieving gout and kidney stones?
Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis in the body, particularly the lower limbs. Painful attacks can last from days to weeks.
Kidney stones are caused by high amounts of uric acid, oxalate, and calcium that settle in the kidneys to form painful stones.
The underlying cause is a build-up of monosodium urate crystalline deposits in the joints, causing acute pain, redness and inflammation. High uric acid in the blood is not being properly filtered by the kidneys.
Gout is associated with co-morbidities like kidney stones, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
What makes it worse?
Certain diets can increase the uric acid levels in the blood, leading to increased flare-ups and severity of attacks.
- Purine-rich foods
- Fructose-rich foods
- Red meat
- Seafood
- Beer
- Sugary drinks
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The Uric Acid Loop
High levels of uric acid in the blood lead to gout. Elevated levels in the urine lead to kidney stones.
When gout is left untreated, the build up of uric acid can cause crystals to deposit in the kidneys. This reduces kidney function, can cause infections, and leads to scarring.
Impaired kidneys struggle to excrete the uric acid, making future gout flare ups worse and leading to the possibility of kidney stones.
Cherries as the preventative?
There is research headed back decades that shows cherries may hold the key.
When you consume dark cherries and better yet, tart cherry juice, as part of a preventative approach, it decreases the chance of gout attacks, lowers uric acid in the blood, and reduces the severity of the disease.
Anthocyanins - the deep red, blue, and purple pigments found most abundantly in cherries are responsible for the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses that help to treat gout.
Tart cherry juice will start working to relief a flare up within a few hours.
The cherries are high in vitamin C, quercetin, and can prevent bone damage. This may help prevent uric acid from forming. Cherries have more anthocyanins than blueberries, making them top choice for individuals suffering from gout.
Tart cherry is more than just a tool for gout:
- Osteoarthritis
- Insomnia
- Heart Disease
- Dementia
- Big C
- Aids muscle recovery
Studies have also shown that consuming tart cherry juice coupled with gout medication, like Allopurinol, can make it significantly more effective. Combining cherries in any form with allopurinol reduced flares by 75%.
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Can cherries be a replacement for gout medications?
The medications on the market for gout today come with a long list of side effects, and only around 20% of people actually stick with the medication.
There are not any current studies directly comparing the effectiveness of medications like Allopurinol vs cherries as its replacement. However, it’s more than clear that a glass of tart cherry juice or extract is only helping the body!
More research has been done in the UK than the US for gout sufferers and the effects of tart cherry. The British Society for Rheumatology, European League against Rheumatism, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Arthritis Research UK, Mayo Clinic, and the UK Gout Society endorse cherry consumption as a therapeutic aid for gout.
“Contrastingly, the Food and Drug Administration in the USA has warned cherry juice growers and processors against making preventive disease claims.”
Isn’t that interesting. Why wouldn’t our three letter oversight want us to know this?
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Restoring Filtration and Function
Diet changes will always be the first line of defense. Removing the purine-rich and high sugar food and drink is vital to gaining your function back. Real, whole foods that nourish the body should always be prioritized over processed convenience foods.
Hydration plays another key role in the body’s ability to flush the toxins and metabolic waste. That build up is the source of gout and kidney stones.
Mineral salt in your water or drink is essential for your body to be able to absorb and actually use it on the cellular level. Without magnesium and potassium the fluid will pass right through to urine without being truly providing the hydration the body is seeking.
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Stacked Herbal Support
There are some fantastic herbs that can aid in lowering uric acid level, reducing inflammation, and flushing toxins from the body.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
- reduces inflammation and pain
- diuretic, flushes toxins
- Taken internally as a tincture
- Externally apply the tincture to a cotton pad
- You can also sting the inflamed joint
- Shop Stinging Nettle Tincture
Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
- reduces uric acid levels
- promotes flushing of toxins
- adaptogenic, eases stress
- Taken internally as a tincture or tea
Goldenrod (Solidago)
- affinity for joint inflammation
- promotes flushing of toxins
- Can be applied as a poultice
- Taken internally as a tincture or tea
Dandelion (Taraxacum)
- Taraxasterol in roots fights inflammation and flushes toxins
- Taken internally as a tincture or tea
- Eat fresh young greens as a salad
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Shop Dandelion Leaf Tincture
Bearberry leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- reduces uric acid levels
- Taken internally as a tincture or tea
Honorable Mentions
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Apple Cider Vinegar
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- The acetic acid in ACV helps increase urine citrate levels and alters urine pH, making it harder for calcium oxalate stones to form
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Baking Soda
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- neutralizes blood acid, slows the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease, lowers potassium levels, and it protects bones and muscles.
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Begin slowly incorporating these foods into your diet.
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- A homemade dressing with vinegar. A pinch of sodium bicarbonate in your coffee. Always focus on your hydration and listen to how your body responds before increasing any dose. Build small habits over time.
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🔻🫘💢DISCLAIMER💢🫘🔻
As with anything, start slow, see how your body responds.
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal products, especially if you have a medical condition, are taking any medication, or are pregnant or nursing.
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🔻🫘💢REFERENCES💢🫘🔻
Are Cherries a Cure for Gout?
Effect of tart cherry juice on risk of gout attacks: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7073821/
Creatinine, urea, uric acid, water and electrolytes renal handling in the healthy oldest old
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3782214/
Chemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng. at the Southern Border of the Geographical Range of the Species in Europe
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8707569/
The Effects of Oral Sodium Bicarbonate on Renal Function and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8665881/
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