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Did YOU Know: About Ginger and Gout?
by Dr. Bruner, PhD
If minor aches and pains are an issue for you, try ginger, a
natural anti-inflammatory agent that is useful for relieving
symptoms associated with arthritis, bursitis, motion
sickness, nausea and more. Ginger is commonly available in
forms ranging from whole fresh root, crystallized ginger and
honey-based ginger syrups to capsules containing powdered
extracts. Look for products made with only 100 percent pure
ginger.
For inflammatory conditions, take 1 or 2 gm of powdered
ginger a day; for nausea and prevention of motion sickness,
take 1,000 mg as a preventive and 500 mg every four hours as
needed. (You might also try eating eat two pieces of
crystallized ginger, taking a spoonful of ginger syrup or
sipping ginger tea.) Since high doses may cause a burning
sensation in the stomach, take ginger with food. Ginger may
also act as a blood thinner, so curbing daily use at least
two weeks before surgery is advisable.
Also, a new report from the Health Professionals Follow-up
Study uncovers some important risk factors for gout that men
should be aware of (this is, overwhelmingly, a male
condition). The Study, which began in 1986, followed over
50,000 male health professionals aged 40-75. At the start,
47,150 participants had no gout but 730 new cases emerged
during the course of the study.
Being overweight or obese was linked to an increased risk of
gout, as was putting on weight. Losing weight, however, was
protective against gout. Both high blood pressure and
diuretic drugs taken to control it were risk factors too. The
study did not, however, specifically examine how dietary
factors relate to gout. This is a pity, as certain foods and
drinks seem able to precipitate the condition. But the study
makes clear that losing weight is beneficial if you want to
avoid gout.
(C) 2005 Dr. Reuven Bruner. All Rights Reserved.
Contact him at: POB 1903, Jerusalem, 91314, Israel; Tel: (02)
652-7684; Mobile: 052 2865-821; Fax: (02) 652-7227; Email:
dr_bruner@hotmail.com
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