Food That Cause Gout: The Underlying Factors

By Rashel Dan

Avoiding food that cause gout is the surest way to preventing gout. To determine which foods are detrimental, you should first get to know the main factors that contribute to the development of gout. Uric acids and purines are precursors to gouty flare-ups, so you should look for food or beverages that are low in purines, low in uric acids and sufficient in Alkalines.

How does a gout occur?

Gout happens when an abnormally high level of uric acid accumulates in your joints. The accumulation turns the uric acids into crystals that somehow "jam" your connective tissues, making it hard for you to move your fingers or toes. The crystals will grow overtime, usually in a matter of hours and therefore causes inflammation-you will see your skin physically swelling and turning red as a result. If left untreated, the swollen area will burst as the crystals exude through the skin.

What is uric acid?

Uric acid is a product of purine. We all naturally have uric acid in our bodies, but sometimes we could have abnormal levels either at birth or by eating certain types of food that cause gout. Uric acid can form into crystals that cause pain and swelling.

What are purines?

Purines are the chemicals in certain food that occur as nitrogenous compounds in nucleic acids. They are excreted as uric acid and are not considered vital in our diet. Since purines are excreted as uric acid high-purine sources are obviously food that cause gout. It is estimated that 50% of those who have high-purine diets have a higher tendency of developing gout. Purines can be found in food that cause gout, so listing food sources would be essential.

Found below is a list of high-purine food that cause gout:

- Beef - Pork - Poultry: turkey, goose - Meat organs: liver, heart, tongue - Seafood: anchovies, herring, salmon, crabs, shrimps, scallops, mussels - Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms. - Legumes: green peas, lentils, dried peas, beans, - Sauces / dressings: creamy sauces, gravies, meat broths - Beverages: coffee, alcohol (beer, wine, etc.) - Oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ, yeast - Sweetbreads

The foods listed above trigger high levels of uric acid in the body. One way to lower acidity is by eating alkaline foods.

What is alkali?

Alkali neutralizes the acids in our body. It raises pH levels to more than 7. Acid has a pH less than 7, so alkali can be used to dilute uric acid in the body.

Here are alkaline foods that could help counteract high uric acid levels in your system:

- Bananas - Watermelon - Orange juice - Potatoes - Spinach - Figs - Dandelion Greens - Chocolate - Mineral water

Take note: Sources high in fat are known to be food that cause gout. Also avoid foods that are high in proteins, because they are often high in purines that raise levels of uric acid in the body.

About the Author:

Are you already on an anti gout diet? Avoid gout by doing away with food that cause gout. Read more.

Which Hormones can Cure Insomnia?

The concept of sleep to anyone who is suffering from insomnia may seem like a distant dream. If you are tired of waiting to fall asleep, but can't seem to cross over into this, then looking into insomnia cures can help you to find the solution you need. There are several natural solutions that you can consider to help with your desire to sleep, all which can help you to stop your insomnia from occurring. One of the approaches to take if you are suffering from this condition is to look into the natural hormones that can be produced in your body so you can rest easily.

When we are first born, our bodies contain a balance of hormones, vitamins and nutrients, all which are continuously distributed through our bodies naturally. However, as we grow older, our bodies begin to lose balance. This can be related to psychological changes that may distract us from our ability to sleep or could be linked to the environment that is around us. These can lead to problems with stress, anxiety and an over production of the wrong types of hormones in our body, which eventually leads to the inability to sleep. As this builds up, it becomes more difficult to sleep, and leaves you tossing and turning at night.

If you are experiencing this problem, then re-balancing your body with the correct hormones is the only solution you need. This option for insomnia cures can easily assist you in gaining back your overall wellbeing while helping you to get a good night's rest. The first type of hormone that you want to consider for this is known as serotonin. This is a hormone that is located in the brain and is released to stimulate a mood of relaxation and a 'feel good' mood. If you simply need to relax, then stimulating this hormone is the answer. Exercise, taking a bath, breathing deeply and other small steps can all release this hormone and help you to get a good night's sleep.

Another hormone used for insomnia cures is melatonin. This is also used for those that are suffering from jetlag and can directly influence our ability to sleep. As this hormone is produced, there are more capabilities to feel drowsier and to rest. You can find this hormone in a natural pill form, which provides you with an invitation to sleep. It is also possible for serotonin to release this specific hormone so that you can introduce yourself into a world of relaxation and sleep.

These two different hormones are one of the main keys to enter into the world of sleep. Understanding how they work and making sure you take essential steps to sleeping can help you to begin to get your nights back to normal. By introducing yourself to these specific, natural hormones, you will have the ability to re balance your body into wellbeing, while working toward complete insomnia cures.

Ursula is an author and a person that benefited from applying natural insomnia cures. For more information on insomnia cures visit http://www.insomniacureskit.com to find out how You can break free from having restless nights as well as bringing your life back on the right track.

Vaginal Cuff Endometriosis - What Exactly Is It?

Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, grows on other organs outside the uterus. These usually include the reproductive organs as well as other organs within the pelvic system such as the bowel and bladder among others.

The symptoms of Endometriosis are very painful and one of the more permanent ways to treat it is by having a radical hysterectomy. This means that the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix are taken out. When the cervix is removed, a vaginal cuff is created. This is where vaginal cuff Endometriosis occurs.

The best way to describe a vaginal cuff is by using the example of a tube sock. If you can visualize how a tube sock looks sewn at the toes, then you have a good idea what the vaginal cuff looks like. It is created by the surgeon and does not dramatically shorten the vagina.

Usually, only about a quarter of an inch of the vagina is folded to form the cuff. However, neither you nor your partner will notice the difference when having sexual intercourse. The reason for this is that the vagina is flexible and will stretch with time. Most women think that once they have a hysterectomy then that is the end of the Endometriosis. However, if there were small implants that were not seen, these can grow back to cause vaginal cuff Endometriosis.

The vaginal cuff tends to be an area vulnerable to residual Endometriosis after surgery. If the Endometriosis had spread to the rectovaginal septum and was not all taken out before the hysterectomy was done, then you may get vaginal cuff Endometriosis.

This is because endometrium tissue that is not seen at that time can easily be sewn into the vaginal cuff. This is a condition that many women suffer from. Initially you may be surprised to experience the same old symptoms, especially if you had thought of the surgery as a cure. If your doctor does not remove all the Endometriosis in this area it can re-grow causing much pain and frustration.

Many women suffering vaginal cuff Endometriosis wonder how the doctor could have missed the tissue when they were performing surgery. However, by the time one comes in for a hysterectomy they have probably had previous surgeries to remove endometrial tissue in the past.

This means that they will likely have scar tissue as well as fibrosis present. The Endometriosis will be buried beneath this scar tissue out of sight. It gets wadded and buried in the tissues and the surgical scars heal over it. This means that it looks normal on the outside but there is Endometriosis growing on the inside.

This is what happens with vaginal cuff Endometriosis. As the doctor clamps, cuts and stitches tissues, some endometrial tissue may be buried in the flesh out of sight. The area then heals normally and the Endometriosis may be impossible to see unless it is again opened up.

This can cause the recurrence of Endometriosis symptoms and can be a difficult issue to deal with for most women.

If you want to quit wasting time with Endometriosis Treatments that don't work then visit my site right now. Arm yourself with the right knowledge so you can start healing today.

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Balance Your Hormones With Food

Have you been dieting for years? Has skipping meals become a regular habit? Do you eat a lot of FAT-FREE foods? Are you on the No-Carb Diet? Are you exercising regularly and still not able to lose a pound? You may have triggered some hormone imbalances by going on these crazy, strict diets.

Unfortunately, these unhealthy eating habits can shift your body into starvation mode which does a major number on your hormones. It has become epidemic in this country. Add toxins, chemicals, pollutants, plastics, pesticides, medications, antibiotics, and stress to the mix and no wonder it can be hard to lose weight. Your body does not know how to get back into balance.

Here are some foods to add to your day that can help bring you back into balance:

1. Walnuts - they contain selenium which can help your body manufacture the active thyroid hormone T3. Other sources of selenium include salmon, tuna, pork, whole grains and wheat germ.

2. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage - they contain Indole-3 carbinol which stimulate enzymes that help detoxify the body.

3. Olive oil - helps elevate HDL (good) cholesterol which is a building block for testosterone.

4. Citrus fruits and strawberries - they are full of Vitamin C which helps de-stress the body.

5. Spinach, Black Beans and Whole Grains - are full of magnesium which regulates insulin production in the blood.

6. Fish - Omega 3's (fish oil) reduce inflammation throughout the body helping to reduce pain in the joints and they are great for the heart.

What else can you do?

CHEAT! Have a high-calorie meal once a week because this will cause your body to increase LEPTIN levels in the body, increase your metabolism and prime your body for fat loss. My clients always lost a pound or two after a high-fat, high calorie meal the night before. Eating a decadent meal once a week helps ease your body down to lower, daily Leptin levels without feeling starved or deprived. As you lose weight, your body adjusts and realizes the lower Leptin levels are normal.

Do what you can to get enough sleep. When you go to sleep, Leptin levels rise naturally, after all, you want to go to sleep, not eat - right? Your body knows to naturally cut down on hunger while you rest. If you cut your rest or sleep time short, your body tries to adjust by making you hungry again, hence, hunger pains can wake you up and make you want to snack in the middle of the night. Who needs that?

Eat from the earth. Our bodies are build to understand and process WHOLE FOODS from the earth. When you eat whole foods, your body know what to do with them and you can help your body balance itself. Whole foods will help your metabolism work for you instead of against you. I wish you glowing good health - always!

Sherry L. Granader, ACE, AFAA, NETA, ACSM, BBU, is a Nutrition Consultant, National Speaker and Spokesperson, Author and Writer. She teaches Yoga, Pilates and Group Exercise classes. Download her FREE "Eat Right, Feel Good, Lose Weight, Have Fun" Cookbook at http:// www.sgtotalhealth.com

Sleep Apnea and Weight Gain

By Dr. Jason Fowler

Is a lack of sleep thwarting your best weight loss efforts? There is much evidence to suggest that a lack of sleep goes hand-in-hand with weight gain. But first, it is important to address why you are not sleeping well. Is your stress level or caffeine intake to blame? Or is your sleeplessness due to a common but very serious condition called sleep apnea? Sleep apnea can affect weight loss, hunger and hormone activity in a number of ways, thwarting your best efforts to maintain a healthy weight.

To put it simply, sleep apnea happens when breathing is obstructed or ceases altogether while sleeping. Symptoms of the condition range from light snoring to waking up several times during the night, gasping for air. The most common form of sleep apnea " obstructive sleep apnea " affects approximately six percent of the population. But this number is expected to rise along with the increasing rate of obesity, because obesity is a chief cause of obstructive sleep apnea.

To make matters worse, those who are already overweight may gain weight more easily if they arent getting adequate sleep, fueling a vicious cycle. Several theories attempt to explain why a lack of sleep may encourage us to pack on the pounds. Some say that a sleep-deprived person simply doesnt have the energy to be active during the day. Theyre too tired to get to the gym or even take the stairs, burning far fewer calories than a well-rested individual would. Others believe the sleep-deprived attempt to make up for a lack of energy by consuming a greater number of calories. Additional evidence surrounding sleep deprivation and weight gain suggests the problem may be hormonal.

Hormone function is largely responsible for the way in which fat cells respond to the food we eat. Cortisol is a hormone that is usually released in response to emotional and physical stress. When we dont get enough sleep, cortisol is released at an increased rate, making us feel hungry even if we have eaten enough.

And just because sleep apnea is most common among adults, don't assume that children are exempt from the problem. Its no secret that the number of obese children is rising steadily; and its no stretch to imagine that some of these children will develop sleep apnea.

If you are having trouble sleeping on a regular basis, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Otherwise, a few simple tips and tricks just might help get you back on a regular sleep schedule. If you are already obese and suffering from sleep apnea, your chiropractor can discuss a sensible dieting plan with you, helping you return to a healthy weight and enjoy more restful, unobstructed sleep. And of course, never underestimate the importance of exercise. Exercising three to four times per week is crucial for restful sleep. And getting your workout in long before bedtime is helpful, leaving ample time for your heart rate and hormone levels to return to a resting state. Make sure your room is dark and the temperature of the room will remain comfortable throughout the night. If youre one of those people trying to squeeze extra tasks and activities into your day, leave more for tomorrow and get some sleep. Adequate sleep will increase your productivity during waking hours.

About the Author:

For additional information on health and wellness feel free to contact Dr. FowlerDr. Fowler at www.lakestlouisdc.comwww.lakestouisdc.com

Side Step Nutrition Scams and Frauds; Eat Broccoli

By Isaac Robert Toussie

People have said that it is of course important to watch out for food scams, as fraud could exist on food labels. I, Isaac Toussie, pardon the thought, think that today, when so many people are concerned about issues like housing and work place discrimination, fashion, entertainment, real estate, mortgages, vacations and the like, issues like food quality and food awareness may become unnecessarily overshadowed. My (Isaac Toussie) opinion is that Broccoli is an excellent nutritional resource.

A cruciferous vegetable that originally came from southern Europe, in the regions by the Mediterranean Sea, broccoli can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was developed from wild broccoli that resembled collard greens. The name "broccoli" comes from the Latin word brachium, or branch. Broccoli is a very popular vegetable and it is a staple of healthy diets around the world, especially in the United States. It is often called a super-food because scientific research continues to discover nutritional benefit after nutritional benefit. First, broccoli contains one of the highest concentrations of health promoting sulfur compounds like sulforaphane and isothiocyanates, increasing the livers power to make enzymes that neutralize potentially toxic substances in the body. Broccoli is also rich in the powerful phytonutrient antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are carotenoids concentrated in the lens of our eyes. Furthermore, broccoli provides Vitamins A and C along with folic acid for a healthy heart. Broccoli that is dark green contains more chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and Vitamin C, while those with more purplish heads contain more flavanoids.

Being from the cruciferous family places broccoli among the ranks of cauliflower, kale, collard greens, cabbages, mustard greens, and Brussels Sprouts. Some varieties of broccoli are green broccoli, broccolini, broccoflower, broccoli raab, and broccoli sprouts.

Green broccoli, my (Isaac Toussie) personal favorite, sometimes called sprouting broccoli but also known as Italian Green or Calabrese Broccoli, is the most popular kind of broccoli, and the most commonly found in supermarkets today. Its named after the famous geographical area of Italy where its reputed to have been first grown. It has light green stalks topped with clusters of dark green, often purplish florets. Broccolini is, as its Italian diminutive would suggest, baby broccoli, but its actually a cross between green broccoli and kale. This is the best kind of broccoli to serve raw. Broccoflower is a cross between broccoli and cauliflower, and more like cauliflower than broccoli. Broccoli raab is intensely flavorful, with a pleasant slightly bitter taste. It has more leaves and a longer stem than common green broccoli, and though its stem is tender enough and needs no peeling, the bottom last inch or two should be discarded as it is wood-like and tough. Broccoli raab is otherwise similar enough to regular broccoli to serve as a substitute for the latter in most recipes. Finally, broccoli sprouts are just sprouts from broccoli seeds, and have become popular for their high concentrations of healthy phytonutrients.

This article posted by Isaac Toussie, has been posted only for informational and human interest purposes and not for medical or advisory purposes. It does not necessarily constitute the opinions or conclusions of the provider, and the reader should not rely upon the validity of any of the information contained herein. The reader should consult a doctor, nutritionist, and similar medical professionals when seeking advice about food, nutrition, diet, and physiology.

About the Author:

Article submitted by Isaac Toussie. Isaac, being a health-conscious individual, submitted this article to promote the awareness of the health benefits of broccoli.