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Woman with gout pain rubbing her foot near the big toe

Answer:

Gout is a type of painful joint inflammation that can be caused by elevated blood levels of uric acid, which can result in the formation of needle-shaped crystals around joints, especially in the feet.

There is no cure for gout, but a combination of medications and lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) are typically used to help manage the condition (NIAMS, Gout Overview).

Certain supplements and foods may reduce uric acid levels but may or may not reduce gout flare-ups, and some may potentially worsen the condition by increasing levels of uric acid.

In this article we discuss the effects on uric acid levels and gout of fish and fish oil, coffee, beer, animal meat, milk proteins (including whey protein), vegetable proteins, fructose, lemon juice, tart cherry juice, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and niacin.

Sign in as a member for details, including a list of 50 foods with the highest amounts of purines — compounds that can worsen gout.

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32 Comments

Janet18551
January 29, 2024

So, I’m a 68 yo female that just started with gout. I don’t meet the “general” criteria for developing it, so my doctor is certain it’s genetic. I have uncomfortable reactions to cochilcine so that doubles the issue. I meet with my doc next week to talk about using a nsaid with the allopurinol daily. Not sure how I feel about that, to be honest. I’ve been reading all these comments and wondering if anyone with high uric acid blood levels have had any good results from anything over time. I am intrigued with a natural route, so any help would be of interest. I’ve had two terrible bouts in about a months time.

Michael19761
June 18, 2024

Allopurinol has helped with reducing my uric acid levels to normal range.

Hoy22713
May 06, 2025

I think Allopurinol Has kept me from having gout problems for nearly 20 years now. I’m a believer.

JR22714
May 06, 2025

I get severe gout once or twice a year when I get careless with my diet. Recently I overdid it with homemade liver pâté, so immediately went on a steamed veggie diet with an herbal mixture of off-the-shelf "gout relief" plus bromelain 500mg 2x per day and was surprised to discover that it all went away on the 3rd day.
I've never recovered that quickly from gout before.

Dan22732
May 08, 2025

Yup, Allopurinol did the trick for me

AnnAnn
January 10, 2024

I began having gout flareups in my 50's. Then I heard from multiple sources, printed as well as personal, that cherries can relieve/prevent gout. Have had no problem since making cherries (the actual fruit, fresh or frozen, or Cherry Flex when I run out of the fruit) a part of my daily life. Happy to be, gout free, at eighty three.

ConsumerLab.com
January 15, 2024

You can find more information about the evidence for and against cherries for gout in our article about the health benefits of tart cherry juice https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/what-are-the-benefits-of-tart-cherry-juice/tart-cherry/#gout.

Betsy7397
December 06, 2023

Which brand of probiotics contains the proper level of L. salivarius to help prevent gout?

ConsumerLab.com
January 10, 2024

We've added information about L. salivarius for gout to the following section of our Probiotic Supplements Review: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/probiotic-supplements/probiotics/#gout. Unfortunately, the strain used in the study does not appear to be commercially available in the U.S. at this time.

Diana
October 18, 2023

As a gout sufferer trying to avoid allopurinol, I have removed fish oil omega supplements from my vitamin regimen after noting that they are made from the fish that one should avoid (mackerel, sardines, shellfish, etc.). The omegas I now use are from algae and do not contain the fish oil. Safe is better than sorry. Hope this is helpful information for others.

ConsumerLab.com
December 13, 2023

Thank you for sharing. It may interest you to know that, while fish oil supplements may be derived from fish high in purines, the purines are largely eliminated during the manufacturing process of supplements, as noted in our Fish Oil Supplements Review: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/fish-oil-supplements-review/omega3/#purines-in-fish-oil

Jeremy7389
December 20, 2022

I started suffering from gout in my early 30s and started taking about 300mg of magnesium citrate after it was recommended for another problem. The flare-ups went totally away. I've ran out twice and saw flare-ups immediately. After starting back up the flare-ups go away within a day or so.

Richard7390
April 28, 2023

Hi. Could you update that?
I went for several years without flareups, just taking the allopurinol 200 mg daily. But in the past few months, I have had regular flareups, with the current one last thing 14 days.

In Florida on vacation. Urgent care put me on 50 mg of prednisone when the 20 mg dose my rheumatologist had me on was ineffective. Also taking colchicine daily One until this is totally subsided. Thanks.

John7384
September 07, 2016

I was diagnosed with gout several years ago. I had many painful bouts before we knew what was causing the problem. My uric acid level was just borderline. Doctor put me on allopurinol and I have had no problems since. I eat lots of fruits of all kinds, but do not drink juices. I also eat oily fish and asparagus. Sometimes modern medicine works quite well!!!

Brian7385
June 01, 2022

Any side effects?

Deborah7382
September 07, 2016

I didn't eat the usual diet associated with high uric acid, and didn't know what was causing my gout. Then the 2010 studies associating fructose with gout came out -- and I haven't had problems since. Fructose, a monosaccharide, isn't just found in high fructose corn syrup; it also composes half of every sucrose molecule. It's also the sugar found in most fruits, as well as vegetables like tomatoes. I used to think a nice big glass of orange juice was pure sunshiny health. I gave it up, along with sugar, and am careful about the amount of fruit I eat (mostly berries now). No more gout, and no medication involved.

ConsumerLab.com
September 07, 2016

Thanks for mentioning this, Deborah. This association between fructose intake and gout has been shown in men as well as in women consuming higher amounts of soda as well as fruit juice (Choi, JAMA 2008 and 2010). For example, drinking 1 or 2 six ounce glasses of orange juice per day is associated, respectively, with 41% and 142% increases in the risk of gout in women relative to rarely drinking orange juice. Keep in mind, though, that gout is not common in women and that drinking 1 glass of orange juice per day for 10 years means that, out of 100 women, 1.4 might develop gout who would not have otherwise.

Damian7380
September 07, 2016

I have had issues with gout in the past and was told I was going to need to be on Rx meds, but chose to go a natural route. I did quite a bit of research and some trial and error with supplements and came up with what works best for me to completely stay off meds entirely. I take tart cherry pills, celery seed pills, ginger root, and I have a warm cup of water with a fresh squeezed organic lemon first thing in the morning. Since I have done this routine, I have had no issues at all. If I sense a flare up even begin to start, I also drink some dandelion tea. It may not work for everyone, it has really helped me and I thought I should share my story.

nancy7381
February 22, 2022

I am a vegan. Beets, and xylitol are two things that have caused my gout flares.

Brian A.7379
September 05, 2016

I controlled or minimized gout attacks for 5 years with cranberry juice and pills. After my second kidney stone the Urologist informed me cranberry and apple juice are kidney stone builders. Had a doc tell me lemon juice might dissolve additional stones present on my scan. I started mixing in about 1.5 oz of lemon juice twice a day(with my breakfast and supper beverage). 3 years later so far so good, no stones or gout attacks.

C.Y.7370
September 04, 2016

I am a female with Gout - somewhat rare - since it is considered a predominantly male disease. But there is a genetic component in my family, as my father had it.

Anyway, I did a lot of research and Tart Cherry (either in pill form or juice) was said to be a remedy to prevent and treat a flare up. I found an online supplement business that sells the pills at a great price compared to other retail stores and sites. When I have a flare up, I take multiple pills twice a day and it goes away within 1 - 2 days max. Look up Tart Cherry Treatment for Gout.

ConsumerLab.com
September 08, 2016

Hi C.Y. - Thank you for sharing your experience with tart cherry. We are glad it seems to help, but please note that for "flare-ups" (i.e. an acute attack) the American College of Rheumatology does not recommend cherry or cherry extract. You can find more information about tart cherry and gout in this CL Answer: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/what-are-the-benefits-of-tart-cherry-juice/tart-cherry/

Robert7372
October 18, 2017

Cherry juice is very helpful in preventing gout for me. I have stopped taking allopurinol completely.

Carl7369
September 04, 2016

Pantothenic Acid (B5) sounds promising. How much do you take and any specific form?

I have struggled with gout for years and recently it seems to have gotten a little worse. Currently take allupurinol but still get a gout attack recurrence every few weeks for a day or two. Just added celery seed extract pills, chelated Magnesium and Quercetin w/Bromelain. I also take daily apple cider vinegar pills (or liquid) and tart Montessori cherry juice and pills daily. Coming up on 1 month now without a gout attack since I added the celery seed, Magnesium & Quercetin combo and I am a happy camper. Hope I can keep it at bay.

Martha7368
September 04, 2016

Pantothenic acid works miracles for gout flare ups in our family--my father, myself and one son.

michael7360
September 04, 2016

I suffered from Gout for many years.
I took prescription meds that helped...some.
I was very diet conscious.
Somewhere I read that celery seed extract would be beneficial.
I had nothing to loose.
I have not had a Gout attack in 7 years.

Michael
69 years old

Jackie7361
September 04, 2016

Very interesting! Where did you get the extract and how much did you take for how long?
Thank you.
Jackie

KarenL
September 05, 2016

Yes I would like to know also how much, what brand and how long. Thank you

William7362
September 05, 2016

Did you drop any or all prescription meds at any point in time? Bill W.

ConsumerLab.com
September 07, 2016

Although celery seed extract has been touted on websites for treating gout (and some individuals -- like Michael above -- have reported some benefit), there does not appear to be clinical evidence proving it helps with gout. If you use it, be aware that celery seed extract may have a diuretic effect and may lower blood pressure. It may not be safe for pregnant women to use celery seed extract due to possible effects on the uterus. Celery juice (not celery seed extract) has also apparently also been used as a traditional folk remedy for gout, although, again, there are no clinical studies supporting this. (Some people may be allergic to celery, although this is more a problem with celery root -- the starchy, potato-like part of the plant). Also, be aware that the American College of Rheumatology does not recommend celery root for "acute attacks" of gout (https://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/Gout_Part_2_ACR-12.pdf).

John-Marc7365
September 07, 2016

It would be very helpful when stating "there are no clinical studies supporting this" to distinguish between no studies done, or studies done with inconclusive results.

ConsumerLab.com
September 07, 2016

No clinical studies appear to have been published one way or the other, John. There is mention online of a study by a researcher (Soundararajan) who apparently tested celery seed extract in pilot study of 15 people with various forms of arthritis, including gout. Although results are said to be positive, this seems to have been far from conclusive and the study does not seem to have been published in any peer-reviewed journal.

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