“The Best Exercise For Gout”

 

 

#LETSTALKGOUT! 12/31/14

“The Best Exercise For Gout”

(click the image to play the audio)

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Lots of people ask me what the best exercise for gout is.  This sparked a really great conversation in this gout conference call.  I was really surprised with the participation and it made for an important reference for how to prevent future gout attacks.

Breathing…Is the Best Exercise for Gout?

Most people really don’t think of breathing, or the way we breathe, as being a form of exercise.  But it can be if we make a sport out of it.  If we look more closely at the ancient martial arts like tai chi and qigong, focused breathing in specific ways generates the flow of energy, and produces power and speed.  My theory is that this is the basis of how we kill gout as well.

When it comes to keeping the blood moving and filtered and cleaned by the kidneys and liver, it requires consistent movement.  What a lot of people don’t realize, and western medicine doesn’t pay enough attention to, is that the lymph system follows the cardiovascular system and they work hand-in hand.

Walking is the Best Exercise for Gout…

In the call, I go pretty long on how walking is the best exercise for gout.  And I believe that to be true for most people.  There are several components to walking that make it so beneficial for general good health, the first being that it gets our heart rate and breath rate up, and moves the blood and lymph as it should.

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MY tophi when away!!!!  It was there for a month, then it started leaking.  I pressured it, rubbed it, and the clear gel came out then a little blood, now it’s gone, my finger looks normal (except for the inflammation it has).  In January I changed my diet; no meat, very little chicken, lots of veggies, tofu, fish, and lots of alkaline water, lemons, and of course walking 3 or 4 times a day about 2 miles each, keeping busy with yard work, washing my car, being positive.  I took a combination of gout, joint, kidney, liver supplements and multi-vitamins.  I read a lot about gout in your blogs all over your website, and prayed.  My gout is gone.  I just have a little arthritis in my fingers, and sometimes have a little pain my feet when I walk.  Also, no BEER…well…a little now and then.  I’m continuing everything I have done above.  I’m not changing back to my old ‘couch potato’ ways.  Thanks to you for inspiration!!!  I know some people with gout are far worse than I was and it was scary seeing those pics of their feet.

PS: I never went to the Dr. and took any kind of meds. ALSO I bought a ‘grounding mat’ , read about it, it works.

~ Ruben

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The second part of it is that walking can be a calming, meditative practice.  From a physical AND a mental perspective, it reduces the health-robbing effects of stress.  As so many people – including myself – have experienced, stress plays a very prominent role in how often and how intensely we get gout attacks.

Gout Killers Speak Up About Killing Gout in 2014

Even though the conversation drifted away from the topic of the best exercise for gout, a lot of valuable ground was covered about managing gout and dealing with gout pain.

Gout Killer Rob reflected on how knowing what to do to prevent gout and what to do if an attack seemed to be firing up.  Knowledge alone changes the game of gout and brings better quality of life, as opposed to living in fear of gout.

We went really deep with Gout Killer John on the call.  He was having continued swelling even after the gout attacks had passed.  Please give it a listen – it was a very good exchange about his diet was and various suggestions and adjustments he could try.  As far as how to evaluate overall diet and lifestyle patterns, this conversation was a good example.  It might spark some good ideas for others to implement.

John has a good understanding of good healthy fats for maintaining health.  We were also able to highlight how fats produce prostaglandins and how they play a key role as a natural anti-inflammatory.

The stubborn nature of the inflammation that was persisting lead to an exploration of other remedies to take advantage of: Massage, topical treatments like essential oils, alternating soaking with Epsom salts and icing with ice packs.  Even though the gout attacks had passed, his feet were still painful to the touch.

A question that came up and comes up often, is whether or not to continue using apple cider vinegar as a daily preventative measure.  The answer to that question is a resounding, YES.  Taking advantage of the enzymatic and probiotic power of ACV on a consistent basis helps to breakdown, assimilate, a use the nutrition we get from the foods we eat.  It is especially important to assist the breakdown of proteins in whatever way we can.  Sources of protein are the purine rich foods that can result in elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream if they are not utilized properly.

A very interesting part of the call touched on the connection between gout and IBS – “irritable bowel syndrome”.  John and his wife regularly prepare a homemade yogurt from heavy whipping cream to help heal the IBS.  Also mentioned is that we should all take advantage of maintaining a low carb diet.  Harmful bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses, parasites and more thrive on the carbohydrate, high glycemic foods.  Cultured, fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt can be very beneficial.

Gout Killer David chimed in with a word about the really important concept of “grounding” (earthing)  David is an expert on the topic of earthing and I highly recommend it.  We need to have a better understanding of how our bodies and the earth have an electrical connection that we have been disconnected from.  That electrical connection is fundamental to our good health.

Gout Killer Pete was on the call to say “hello and thanks again” for being able to snowboard again!

  ☆ Bottom-line:  The best exercise for gout (IMO) is just plain old walking!  Thanks to all for being on the call!  Let’s KILL that gout!

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