Can It Cause An Attack
While theres no current evidence in connection to gout, research has examined whether cranberry juice may be helpful or harmful when it comes to other diseases or conditions that involve high uric acid levels.
For example, higher uric acid levels can contribute to the development of a certain type of kidney stone, the uric acid stone.
A 2019 study found that people who took cranberry supplements, with and without vitamin C added, had higher levels of oxalate in their urine. Oxalate is a chemical that is a by-product of your bodys metabolism, and it leaves your body through your urine. When combined with calcium, that oxalate can lead to the development of kidney stones.
However, the study is limited, with a small sample size of only 15 participants.
A 2005 study also found that cranberry juice seemed to increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones and uric acid stones, although it did seem to decrease the risk of the formation of another type of stone called a brushite stone. This study was also relatively small, with 24 participants.
So, its possible that drinking cranberry juice could lead to higher levels of uric acid, which, in turn, might lead to the development of the crystals in the joints that cause painful gout flares. More research is needed to confirm that call.
To avoid adding unnecessary calories and sugar to your diet, choose unsweetened cranberry juice.
Limiting The Risk Of Heart Disease
The phytochemical composition of cranberry juice supportsheart health.
Cranberry juice is an abundant source of anthocyanins.
This bioactive phytochemical has a protective effect against cardiovascular disease due to its anti-inflammatory properties and beneficial effect on blood vessels.
The American Heart Association has recommended that a fruit and vegetables rich diet including cranberries can reduce cardiovascular disease.
Cranberry fruit juice acts as a multiple risk factors regulator.
How To Enjoy Cranberries
To take advantage of cranberry benefits, look for unsweetened 100% juice. Because cranberries are on the bitter side, sugar or syrup is often added, or the juice is combined with a sweeter variety, like apple juice. But you can add pure cranberry juice to your morning smoothie or use it along with lightly sweetened almond milk as the liquid in oatmeal or overnight oats.
You’ll also find frozen whole cranberries in your freezer section. Blend them into smoothies or warm over low heat on the stovetop in a bit of 100% orange juice with a touch of maple syrup, freshly grated ginger root, cinnamon, and cloves. Use as a warm or chilled topping for anything from greens and veggies to spaghetti squash and sweet potatoes. Or opt for unsweetened or 100% fruit-juice-sweetened dried cranberries. Fold them into nut butter, toss them onto salads and whole grains, or add to energy balls and “bark” made from melted dark chocolate and nuts.
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Can Drinking Cranberry Juice Bring On A Gout Attack
Gout, an inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden severe pain and tenderness in the joints, is best managed by avoiding foods that trigger attacks. Cranberry juice for gout is not currently supported scientifically doctors recommend drinking water or low-fat milk instead of fruit juices.
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There is no evidence that shows drinking cranberry juice could trigger a gout attack, although there also are no current studies supporting the use of cranberry juice to treat gout flares.
Avoid Oestrogen Contraceptives And Hrt
Try to avoid contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy containing oestrogen, as it can increase your risk of blood clots. Ask your doctor about other types of contraception, such as the progestogen-only pill or injection, having a Mirena Coil fitted or barrier methods. HRT skin patches are considered safer than tablets because they dont make the blood as sticky and carry less risk of causing clots in the veins. There are also non-hormonal treatments that can help with some symptoms, such as hot flushes.
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What Do These Results Mean
The tests need to be carried out twice, 12 weeks apart, because the levels of antiphospholipid antibodies in your blood change and can increase when you have an infection.
If you only have one positive test and it becomes negative 12 weeks later, you probably dont have APS.
Its generally accepted that to have a confirmed diagnosis of APS, at least one test must be positive on at least two occasions. Its also expected that you would have a history of blood clots and/or miscarriages.
People who are positive in all three tests have a higher risk of developing clots than those who are positive in one or two. The higher the level of antibodies found in the anticardiolipin or anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I tests, the greater your risk of developing blood clots.
Depending on their diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a doctor specialising in immune conditions, known as a rheumatologist, or a doctor specialising in conditions affecting the blood, known as a haematologist.
Most Read Life Stories
Q: When I first started experiencing the burning and shooting pains of neuropathy, I thought they were going to drive me to suicide. I read somewhere, perhaps on your website, that benfotiamine and alpha-lipoic acid might be helpful.
Its been several years since I started taking these dietary supplements, and the pains have almost completely disappeared. This has been an absolute blessing for me.
A: Health professionals often treat peripheral neuropathy with prescription medications such as the anti-seizure drugs gabapentin and pregabalin . Antidepressants such as amitriptyline and doxepin also have been prescribed off-label for nerve pain. Such drugs do have side effects, however.
There is some data to support the use of both alpha-lipoic acid and benfotiamine for neuropathy . Were glad you get such relief from these supplements.
Q: Four ounces of tart cherry juice in the morning has alleviated the arthritis pain that I used to have in my hands. Ive been doing this for the past two years. Ive recommended it to many people. Some dont experience relief from it, but many do. One friend uses cherry juice at bedtime to help her fall asleep.
Anyone who would like to learn more about nondrug approaches for controlling inflammation and easing joint pain may find our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis of interest. It can be downloaded for $2 from our website: peoplespharmacy.com.
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When To Seek A Doctors Advice
Although eating and drinking anti-inflammatory foods can help ease your daily arthritis pain, if you are experiencing prolonged joint pain or think you may have degenerative joint issues, dont delay in seeing your orthopaedist. We provide comprehensive orthopaedic and spine care at locations across Wake County. Our orthopaedic specialists can recommend the best course of treatment. Contact us to book an appointment.
Recovery From Respiratory Infections
The rich source of vitamin C in cranberry juice can prevent upper respiratory tract infections.
Individuals who are tending to get frequent upper respiratory tract infections should drink cranberry juice regularly.
Even individuals who have a cold and cough should make a habit of drinking cranberry juice to reduce the severity of the symptoms.
A preliminary study performed in Chicago has found that cranberry juice is effective to prevent pediatric respiratory problems and ear infections by inhibiting specific types of bacterial growth.
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How To Treat Gout
Even though cranberry juice has not been proven to aid in gout management, there are other treatment options available. Treatment options will depend on if you are currently having a gout attack or if you need everyday gout management and prevention. Medication and lifestyle changes are the most recommended treatments for gout.
The Home Of Herbal Health
Finding accurate information on natural health products isnt always easy.
There is lots of conflicting information out there online.
Weve discovered a site that goes deep on natural wellbeing.
These articles dedicated to herbal teaprovide accurate, in-depth information on the real health benefits found in nature.
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Beneficial Drinks For Arthritis Relief
Millions of people suffer from painful, stiff, and swollen joints as the result of arthritis. And most people know what they should not do and what they should avoid in order to help reduce their flare-ups and minimize their symptoms. But what should we do when it comes to what we drink? Are there certain things that are better for joint health and that can help fight the effects of arthritis? The answer is yes, and here at the Pain Relief Institute, we recommend our patients try to stick to these beneficial drinks as much as possible:
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Your overall health and lifestyle can contribute to gout flares.
Joining a gym, walking, or doing YouTube workouts may help alleviate your gout, by decreasing uric acid levels in the blood
Diet has been blamed for gout attacks for centuries.
A diet thats high in purines, the chemicals that are metabolized into uric acid, can cause gout flares.
Historically, gout was referred to as the disease of kings because a diet heavy in foods that contain purinesalcohol, organ meats, sugarcould only be afforded by the wealthy.
Carrying extra weight, especially around the belly, can exacerbate gout attacks.
Excessive fat is associated with insulin resistance, making it harder for your body to excrete uric acid.
One study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that overweight people are 3.5 times more likely to have extra uric acid than people of a normal weight.
Extra weight makes it more difficult for your kidneys to release waste products, like uric acid.
Choosing a low-purine diet can lower uric acid levels and prevent a gout attack.
However, a fast or detox diet is not recommended.
There is no scientific evidence for fasting or detox diets and they will not help clear uric acid from your diet more effectively.
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Benefits Of Cherry Juice For Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that often leads to joint stiffness and pain. Common types include osteoarthritis, or “wear-and-tear” arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, or a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks its own tissue and causes joint damage.
There have been a small handful of clinical trials investigating the effect of tart cherry juice on people with arthritis. Among them:
- A 2012 study in the Journal of Food Science reported that participants with osteoarthritis who drank 10.5 ounces of Montmorency cherry juice twice daily for three weeks had lower markers of inflammation than people given a placebo.
- A 2013 study published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage reported that participants with knee osteoarthritis who drank 8 ounces of Montmorency cherry juice twice daily for six weeks had less joint pain and stiffness and improved joint function compared to those given a placebo.
- A 2018 animal study in Nutrients that focused on rheumatoid arthritis noted that consuming tart cherry prevented bone loss due to inflammation and helped prevent bone stiffness.
Despite the positive findings, the studies were small , or involved animals. More research is needed.
Cranberry Juice And Gout: Does It Work
More than 8 million Americans suffer from goutabout 4% of the nations population.
The buildup of urate crystals in the joints can cause inflammation and intense pain in the hands, feet, ankles, and wrists.
Since theres no cure, theres also no shortage of remediessome medical, some homemadethat people suffering from gout have been willing to try.
One popular home remedy is cranberry juice.
Its long been rumored to alleviate the pain associated with gout.
But does it really work?
The evidence is scarce.
In this article, Ill explain whether cranberry juice can help with gout, and outline some home remedies that may be more helpful in reducing gout flare-ups.
Ill also talk about when you should see a doctor about your gout symptoms.
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Berries Apples And Pomegranates
Berries are rich in antioxidants and the Arthritis Foundation notes that blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and boysenberries all provide arthritis-fighting power. Youll get health benefits no matter if you eat them frozen, fresh or dehydrated , so be sure to eat a variety of berries throughout the week.
Apples are also high in antioxidants and a good source of fiber. Plus, they provide crunch and can help curb your appetite for unhealthy snacks, Dunn says.
Pomegranates, which are classified as berry fruits, are rich in tannins which can fight the inflammation of arthritis. Add these to a salad or stir into plain yogurt for some added benefits.
Cranberries Help With Immunity
The vitamin C in cranberries supports immunity and is required to make collagen, so it plays a key role in skin and joint health and overall healing.
According to a 2020 study in the Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences certain products made of cranberries can help prevent and treat urinary tract infections by interfering with the ability of bacteria to stick to the walls of the urinary tract. This same type of natural defense also happens in the mouth to fight gum disease, according to research published in a 2019 issue of the IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences.
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What Does It Mean If Youre Apl
Some people can find out they are positive for the antiphospholipid antibodies without having had any of the symptoms of APS. They may have been tested for antiphospholipid antibodies as part of their diagnosis for another condition.
About 20 to 30% of these people test positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, but dont have APS. They are described as being aPL-positive and can usually carry on without having any symptoms of APS.
This is why doctors look for a history of blood clots and miscarriages before making a diagnosis of APS. However, they need to consider whether an aPL-positive person without symptoms could get APS in the future.
Theres no foolproof way of doing this, but they look at a number of factors, such as:
- how high your antiphospholipid antibodies level is
- how many of the three tests are positive
- whether you have other risk factors for thrombosis
- whether you have other typical symptoms of APS, such as migraines.
Treatment with anticoagulant drugs, which thin the blood, can help prevent blood clots and miscarriages.
The most commonly used drugs are low-dose aspirin, warfarin and heparin.
Weight Loss Rather Maintaining Good Health
A clinical trial performed on obese men reported that regular consumption of 500ml of cranberry juice for four weeks helps to lower low-density lipoprotein .
Cranberry juice may not directly help in weight loss, but lowering low-density lipoprotein helps to reduce the cardiovascular risk in obese individuals.
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Cranberries Curb Antibiotic Resistance
In a 2019 study in Advanced Science researchers selected bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gastroenteritis. When bacteria are treated with antibiotics they typically become resistant to its effects. But in this experiment, scientists found that the addition of cranberry extract prevented resistance from developing.
The extract made the bacterial cell wall more permeable to the antibiotic, and it caused the bacteria to have a tougher time pumping out the antibiotic.
The finding was significant, as the overuse of antibiotics, primarily in animal agriculture, has led to infections that are more difficult to treat in humans.
Green Tea: A Nice Cuppa May Sooth Your Joints
Green tea has an abundance of catechins that interrupt the expression of inflammation. Its effect on rheumatoid arthritis has been long studied one such study, published in August 2017 in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, reported that the consumption of green tea offers an overall anti-inflammatory effect. However, most studies have been on small samples. A newer study, published in the March 20, 2020, issue of Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism looked at a real-world, large scale study. Result: A higher intake of green tea was associated with lesser disease activity.
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When To See A Doctor
You should see a doctor or healthcare professional at the first sign of gout.
Gout can advance to other joints in the body if not treated early on.
Gout can also develop into tophi bumps, which are hard bumps found underneath the skin.
If your gout pain becomes severe or lasts longer than 10 days, contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately.
How To Prepare A Cranberry Cocktail
Another one of the benefits of pure cranberry juice are that you can prepare a super easy vegan, non-alcoholic, fizzy cranberry cocktail recipe in your kitchen by mixing the following ingredients:
- Unsweetened cranberry juice
Mix all the liquid ingredients and add roughly one chopped cranberry and one teaspoon of dried rosemary.
Pour into a tumbler and add ice cubes for a refreshing pick me up.
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Complementary And Alternative Treatments
At present, there are no complementary medicines that have been shown to help with APS.
Besides vitamin K, supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and the remedies devils claw and St Johns wort can also alter the bodys reaction to warfarin.
Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare team before trying any new treatment.
Potential Health Benefits Of Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and provides 39% of your recommended daily allowance in an 8-ounce serving. Vitamin C plays many important roles in the body. A powerful antioxidant, it helps stop free radicals from damaging cells and DNA in your body. This may help reduce your risk of developing various diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and more.
Vitamin C also helps you heal after injuries, produce collagen, absorb iron, and boosts your immune system.
Vitamin C isnât the only antioxidant in cranberry juice. An 8-ounce glass has approximately 20% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E, which is essential for the health of your skin, blood vessels, and heart.
Cranberry juice also has several other antioxidant compounds, including:
- Proanthocyanidins
These antioxidants are mainly found in the skins of fresh cranberries. Since cranberry juice doesnât contain the skins it has lower concentrations of these antioxidants.
Some other health benefits of cranberry juice include:
Improved heart health. Anthocyanins in cranberry juice may help reduce hardening of the arteries. Several studies also show that cranberry juice may help reduce the chance of heart disease by improving cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure.
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