Holistic Health and Alternative Medicine - EARTHCLINIC.COM

Gout Remedies: Q&A

GOUT RESISTS REMEDIES
08/05/2012: Adil from Pakistan: "hi Ted, I have been reading your posts and trying it on earthclinic for my gout. My gout don't respond to any HOME REMEDY or any DRUG. My question and issue is that I am allergic to apples they causes me severe stomach pain WITHOUT stools but with nausea. But I tried ACV, at first it didn't caused me any pain but after 3-6 days it started giving me pain and my stomach and intestines got inflammed then move to baking soda, it also didn't helped my gout but after 4-6 days I got same issue I have with apple or ACV. Now my problem is that I can't even drink ACV or Baking soda, oh wait a minute I am actually allergic to honey also so no honey in ACV even the slightest drop of honey cause me severe gastric issues. Anything which I try to make my body alkaline causes me gastric issues with severe pains. What should I try or do to make my gout normal. I have tonsillitis also this and u may not believe but whenever my tonsilitis is worse my gout also get worse. Thanks

P.S. I have hundred of small and big keloids on my shoulders and upper arms also."

08/13/2012: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Most gout is actually caused by sugar and most gout occurs in people who are potentially diabetic. And the gout can easily be missed by doctors, since I require the checking of sugar levels to be within normal range at least 2 hours after eating, my normal range is less than 90 mg/dL. The purines, or meats are actually a secondary cause, but I suspect lymphatic obstruction caused by high fats to play a role in clearance of gout also, that combined with low water intake and lack of alkalinity such as baking soda could make the matters worse by not dissolving the uric acid, with which you do have problems. So to bypass this problem, we do it topically.

I would prefer DMSO mixed 30 cc (30 grams), in a dropper bottle mixed with 100 mg of Lithium chloride with a bit of water such as 1 cc (one gram) of water. Mixed the lithium chloride and water first, once dissolved, then I would add pure DMSO to the solution. Then I would apply topically where the gout is bad. This bypasses the stomach due to infection possibly h. pylori or paratuberculosis. You may need treatment for that healing and killing of the parasites later on, such as with humid acid, lysine, and vitamin C, at least, but that requires more than a month of healing. An easy way is to take curcumin 5 times a day. The gout can be controlled with restrictive control of sugar, fats and some meats. Fats basically limit lymphatic drainage which worsens the gout.

With this remedy you should feel relief in 5 minutes, but more if you don't want any pain, but should disappear in 1 to 3 days.

Ted"

CAN LITHIUM OROTATE BE SUBSTITUTED FOR LITHIUM CARBONATE FOR TREATING GOUT?
05/31/2012: Amwilson1066 from Moore, Ok/USA: "Good day Ted, I live in the United States and my husband suffers from Gout. I have read your information using lithium carbonate diluted in water to dissolve the gout crystals. We live in the US and can not purchase lithium carbonate without a prescription and then it is 300 mg since they prescribe it for psychosis. Is there a place online to purchase the small mg dosage that you recommend? Another alternative I saw is lithium orotate. Is that an acceptable substitute for lithium carbonate? He is having an acute attack right now and I would love to be able to get some quickly."

GOUT STARTED IN YOUTH, NOW INCREASING
04/27/2012: HK from Anonymous: "Dear Ted, I have followed you on earth clinic and was looking for advice. I am a 30 year old Asian male suffering with gout since I was 18. I have been oil pulling with coconut oil for two months and have been taking 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1-2 daily for a month. But lately my gout attacks have been frequent like 2-3 times per week. I know the importance of diet and to avoid high purine foods (ie red meats, seafoods). I do have tophi on my toes and side of my foot. I am hoping for any advice that can help me more. I do not wish to take any medications. I have just graduated chiropractic school and gout makes it difficult for me to pursue my career and help others.

Any advice will greatly be appreciated. Thank you."

04/27/2012: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "What you don't know about gout is it is caused mostly by the high fruit, high carbohydrate and high sugar diet. It can come from too much sugar in your coffee or even eating too much rice or just eating too much bananas, as an example. The other is not drinking enough water during meals which reduces the blood sugar. The high purine diets is overdone, the ones I am seeing, at least the clients, this is always the case, the high carb diet, not the high purine diets. It can be resolved two ways, taking the traditional allopurinol forever, or taking lithium 2 mg. to dissolve it, or changing your diets, or all of it. The whole problem of gout the blood sugar, is an unrecognized one because the way we were taught (like the move The Minority Report) not to see things, normal blood sugar cannot exceed 90 mg/dL, and people with gout somehow usually have blood sugar around 100 to 110 mg/dL, which is considered "normal" by Western doctors. But there is something wrong, since most mammals or apes, have blood sugar never exceeding 90 mg/dL, it is always something like 85 mg/dL. The other thing wrong is the rule that you are not allowed to drink water when you have your food, the problem is that, the blood sugar is ALWAYS higher during meals, and you need to reduced that, otherwise it lowers your immune system, and water is needed for human digestion, that is why people consider eating soup healthy in general. The single most important fact is measuring your blood sugar, which by western standards requires 12 hour fasting. The problem is that it tends to hide potential diabetes and gout conditions. Your blood sugar must be less than 110 mg/dL one hour after eating, but it should be in the case of gout it must be lower then 100 mg/dL after one hour or the recovery from gout is not possible, and ideally after 3 hours eating it should be normal at 70 to 90 range. In general people without gout their blood sugar rarely goes above 100 md/dL even after eating. So the best ways to fix the problem is drink more water after meals, eat less carbs of all kinds, and most of all do not eat after 5.00 pm. The blood sugar goes crazy if eaten late at night, and having a large meals for breakfast the same thing true, but not that extreme.

Ted"

04/28/2012: HK replies: "Ted, Thank you for you quick reply. I am not familiar with lithium. Is this the same medical drug for depression? Also, is it possible to recover from gout without allopurinol even in the worst cases. My doctor did prescribe me allopurinol but I am worried about the side effects of this drug like all American drugs.

So if gout is caused by sugar, then will I be able to consume meat again? Of course without rice.""

04/28/2012: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Lithium is 2.5 mg, it is the same as the doctors, but the dosages are different the doctors used 250 mg.

Yes you might consume meat again, but you have to do a blood glucose meter test if your blood sugar DOES not spike after meals two hours, to over 90 mg/dL. Chances are it will spike. If does not spike a lot, more water between meals will prevent that. Most diabetics have gout, but there may be minority that might be that eating meats really causes gout, but that is in the minority. Your judge is yourself with the blood glucose meter.

Ted"

04/30/2012: HK replies: "Ted, Thank you for your reply once again. I have began watching what I eat. I eat less sugar, fruits and carbs. I am looking to buy a blood sugar monitor soon. But I do believe I am starting to feel better.

I have another question about scars. I have a 12 year old hypertrophic scar on my nose (probably caused by acne) that was recently scratched off by a dog. It is round and a little smaller than a pencil eraser. It caused no physical problems other than looking red, raised and shiny. I have read your posts about treating keloids internally and topically. Prior to this accident. I have tried alkalizing my blood, eat less inflammation-causing foods, and I have applied tea tree oil, lavender oil, vitamin E. i have seen little or no results. Is there anything else I should do internally or externally?"

04/30/2012: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Yes, once the sugar and carbs reduces, the gout reduces fairly quickly. As to your question of keloids, it is usually caused by some microorganisms, but I haven't had the time to examine that, however, the common things such as zinc acetate 10% solution applied topically, MSM applied topically, or chitosan. These may be tried individually or mixed synergistically to help the keloids. There are several different keloids, and they respond to very differently but the ones I mentioned are most commonly used.

Ted"

05/24/2012: HK replies: "Hi Ted, I have been using topical msm for my scar for about two weeks. I have noticed small improvement. I was wondering if the chitosan is to be used topically or internally. It's hard to find zinc acetate. Do you have any other similar products you can recommend? Thank you."

05/24/2012: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Chitosan is used topically for keloids also. -- Ted"

TRYING EVERYTHING FOR GOUT ATTACK AND NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON
02/06/2012: Alfie from Singapore: "Question. As I write this post, I have am going through a bowl of tart cherries (from a can). I have to say since my last gout attack in early Jan, I came across this site and decided to get some ACV. I was doing 2 Tbsp of ACV twice a day for two days when I felt the onset of another attack coming on.

I have had gout for the past 4 years and its has always been on my left toe/heel/knee. This time round, after the ACV, It came on my right heel! I started to add about 3/4 tsp of baking soda in the middle of the day to try and stop the attack. As things started to go downhill, I got hold of some tart cherry juice and added that to the mix. It came to a point where I didn't have enough hours in the days to fit in all the different fluids. (The cherries didn't help but I'm persevering! )

Tested my urine with ph strips and it's been around 7 throughout. Pseudo gout? My doctor tested the blood and said uric acid level was on the higher side (8.5).

Well I was hoping to get the miraculous cure/relief that I read so much about and though the peak of attack has past, I am still in pain and hobbling around with my walking stick.

I would like to ask as I read elsewhere that while the body is ridding itself of the uric acid crystals, the body's immune system reacts by responding in the same way as it does with an initial attack. Has anyone experienced the same or is there any truth in this?? because I don't know if mine is the case of the coming or going! Thanks!!

Great site!"

02/07/2012: Baldev from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India replies: "Hi Alfie, Try DMSO 80%. With cotton paint the area with DMSO and you should get the relief. Also it has been observed that people having gout are deficient in Magnesium so you can mix Magnesium oil with DMSO and apply or you can take some Magnesium oil internally. This should give you relief.

Baldev"

LITHIUM ALTERNATIVES FOR GOUT
07/15/2011: Anonymous from Anonymous: "Does this ACV and Baking soda mixture dissolve uric acid build up around the the joints?

I am only finding Lithium Aspartate (5 mg per capsule), would this be ok to substitute for the lithium citrate, lithium orotate, lithium carbonate? We are in the US."

07/17/2011: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "No it wouldn't it is an excitotoxin. Acceptable are lithium citrate, lithium orotate and lithium carbonate, possibly acceptable is lithium chloride, but they seem to raise blood pressure as all chlorides do.

Ted"

GOUT AND pH
05/10/2011: E. : "Hello Ted,

I recently had a flare up of Gout and when the doctor didn't have much to say, I found you posts to be very helpful. I don't know what my pH was before starting my twice daily doses of 2 T of ACV and 1/4 tsp baking soda. After 36 hours the redness and pain are gone and my pH is around 6.5 or less. I can't seem to get it above those numbers. What amount should I try to raise the pH to 7 as is recommended?

Thank you for the time you have put into this most valuable site."

05/15/2011: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "You can add more baking soda to it or you can increase the dose. The number 7 can only be reached if potassium citrate and sodium citrate are taken to reach that number. However, the original remedy should be able to reach 6.5 at least if increasing further the dose. A pH of at least 6.5 should be sufficient for most ailments.

Ted"

05/17/2011: E. replies: "Ted,

Thank you for your reply. The remedy of 2 T ACV and 1/4 tsp baking soda seems to be doing the job. I do have a question about the baking soda and water retention. I have a lymph issue in my legs and I take lassex (sp) to remove fluid around my heart. Will the BS prevent the water from leaving my legs or give me retention issues?

Thank you."

05/17/2011: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "No, it won't work very well. You have to take potassium. The form I prefer is the potassium citrate (technical name: tripotassium citrate) or any of the following: potassium, potassium gluconate and potassum acetate. The amount preferred is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in an 8 oz glass of water, which can be taken also with sodium bicarbonate. Potassium chloride won't do.

Ted"

32 YEAR OLD WITH GOUT FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS - HELP!
02/27/2010: Ryan : "Ted,

I have had gout 8 years. I am 32 years old. i have been misdiagnosed several times because of my age. The doctors i have been to in the U.S have not helped me much. originally they put me on allinpurnal 100mg, then they gave me 300mg. That worked for about 6 months. Then they gave me colchicine to get rid of the gout. well the allinpunal wasn't working and i was tired of getting the gout so i started taking the colchicine daily to prevent gout. It worked for about 3 months, then i started taking 0.6 mg twice a day. That worked for another 3 months. The problem with that is once i got a gout attack i could not take the colchicine to get rid of the acute attack.So they put me on indomethacin to help with the gout. The gout started progressively getting worse and more frequent about 2 years ago. Now i get the gout every 4 days and it can last up to 2 weeks. I have recently tried natural remedies such as Brolmein, vitamin C , vitamin B5, vitamin E, and potassium pills. I also tried celery seed, devil's claw, and black cherry juice. The black cherry juice was a success, but it was short lived, it worked an several attacks. For maybe about 7 months but now that does not work anymore! Its almost like my body becomes immune to the remedies. Is this possible? I have also tried your baking soda remedy, it seemed to do OK. but i was worried about high blood pressure from continued use? Finally about 6 months ago i changed my diet to NO red meat, NO seafood, and eliminating foods with high purines in them. Still no success, I cant work because of the gout, cant enjoy foods, and have nearly no social life due to being bedridden 4 days a week!! I have read several of your posts and thought i would email you direct. Is there anything else i can do?? PLEASE email me back if there is anything else i can do. Should i try to go back on the baking soda 3 times a day?? If so do i try it with apple cider vinegar?? PLEASE help???"

02/28/2010: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Ryan:

Baking soda doesn't cause high blood pressure, it tends to lower blood pressure. Sodium retention is caused by high chlorides and body tends to increase sodium to keep chloride low. Therefore the cause is chlorides, found in sodium chloride (salt), chlorine chemicals (bleach), most chlorides, sulfites, and basically high oils.

A low dose lithium will do it, but at only 1/100 of the dose they use in lithium carbonate, which is about 2.5 mg, instead of 250 mg of lithium carbonate currently in used. Coffee is the main problems I found causing the uric acid, in practice. Meats is possible, but in practice I found it to be from coffee and possibly tea. The body acquires more uric acid if you don't drink water during meals. If you want to lower gout, the body has to be alkaline first, such as urine pH is around 7, and saliva pH is around 7.3. Otherwise most medicines won't work.

Ted"

04/25/2010: Gary from Wauchope, Nsw Australia replies: "Hi I know what your going through I just got over a 4 week bout with gout I tried most of the remedies mentioned for gout but with no luck so I asked our local health food store if they knew of something for it and she suggested the following put 4x 8 ounce glasses of pure or distilled water on to boil and add two and a half table spoons of whole juniper berries,two and a half table spoons of celery seed and two and a half table spoons of dandelion root and bring to the boil,once boiled simmer for 5 minutes and strain off the liqiude place in a suitable glass bottle or jar and allow to cool and keep in fridge,you can make it up as you need it from there. Have a six once glass of the liquid twice a day for three days and then once a day from then on until gout has gone. I use the left overs on my pot plants as a type of mulch.
let us know how you get on.

Kind regards Gary
PS I find with me gout is caused from drinking too much stronge TEA and Honey."

07/27/2010: Judyofoz from Asheville, North Carolina replies: "I noticed my water in our rental is very acidic therefore my urine is acidic. I bought a water filter to take out the Fluoride in the city water. It makes the water very alkaline. We are in a rental and it is a portable filter unit. Baking soda helps my bladder pain I get if my urine is too acidic. Regular Baking Soda has aluminum in it so I'm concerned over using it on a regular basis. Any chemist know about this?"

08/16/2010: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Typically I will call the factory that makes the baking soda and find out if they added any aluminum. You can reconstitute the Reverse Osmosis water by adding the sea salt, which the pH are usually close to or above 7, but never the table salt. Sometimes the table salt also added the aluminum to prevent caking. Most chemists will usually check for MSDS sheets, and when they sell food grade, they usually don't add the aluminum. However when it goes through retail outlets, because technical specification sheets aren't there, they may have added them. Therefore it's best to call the company that makes the product. Ted"

SODIUM CARBONATE REMEDY FOR GOUT
06/18/2008: Alain from Ottawa, Ontario,Canada: "This is an update to an earlier post + maybe 3 questions for Ted

I am interested in Ted's carbicarb formula because I suffer from gout, and I need alkalizing formulas, because sometimes my urine pH is sometimes below 6. It also seems to be triggered by or to worsen when we have smog days. I figure that the pushing of CO2 effect of the carbicarb might be a great help. (May be also using H2O2, internally or by inhalation, it might also help to increase O2- I am a bit hesitant to try H2O2, but I might consider trying that later)

1s Question to Ted: Would the new formula based on carbicarb be superior to the other formulas posted much earlier? (I anticipate yes, hence my interest in finding sodium bicarb (SC))

I found so far 4 different sources of SC:

1)A&H SoClean Super Washing Soda, but because it has added fragrance, I do not want to use it.

2)A pool product called pH up (but look likes a no name product), which says it contains sodium carbonate. I figure that, because it is a pool product (people are in the water and may drink the water) may be I might consider using it for the formula.

3)In a special supplement pharmacy in Ottawa, there is a product (kind of noname in bulk product) that says "pure washing soda (for cleaning only)" (about CAN$3.50 per kilo). The pharmacist told me it is a low grade product not for human internal consumption. I ask the store to verify with the manufacturer to confirm if it was 100% washing soda. Apparently it is.

4)The same pharmacist said that he can order for me the food grade product but it would cost around CAN$30.00 per kilo.

So my 2nd question to Ted is: would there really be a difference between the low and food grade? Is the price difference justified? Sure, I can afford the food grade product, but I do not like to be a sucker! (sorry EC for the word)

My 3rd question to Ted is about the carbicarb formula and your mentioning in an earlier post that "Preferably the solution is mixed during the night, kept overnight for the reaction to set in and drink throughout the day". Should I understand that the formula should be prepared at least 8-12 hours in advanced for it to be effective? Can you clarify or elaborate? If I were to drink it when I have a gout attack, I sure cannot predict in advance such an attack. So, how long can the formula be kept once made?

Thanks in advanced. Sorry for the long Post. I hope my post will help others with the same condition."

09/15/2009: B from Bay Area, Ca replies: "Food-grade Sodium Carbonate may be prepared cheaply by heating baking soda in a stainless steel pan. Do this under ventilation. When the baking soda is about 250 degrees F the product will be almost completely converted. It takes less than 10 minutes in the kitchen."

URIC ACID STILL HIGH
12/10/2007: Mary from Florida: "After taking the medications for months I stopped taking medicine and I found relief from a supplement made. from Cherry and celery. My only problem is that I can not reduce the uric acid. It is still very high. Any suggestions?"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "

In my own experience, a uric acid can simply be reduced with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water taken three times a day plus drinking plenty of water. The water to drink should somehow be alkaline, which in one liter of water is filled with 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to neutralize the excess acid too.

'

As to certain emergency cases, I sometimes add only 50 mg of lithium carbonate well shaken in one liter of water. So in a usual capsule of lithium carbonate of 250 mg, 4 liters of drinking water can be dissolved. It is well known that a Georgia Springs 100 years ago that lithium carbonate is one of the few minerals that dissolves uric acid. Another simpler option, would be for me to take 5-10 mg of lithium citrate in 1/2 glass of water every night, before sleep.

If metabolic acidosis is indicated where urine pH is very acid from excess drinking alcohol (from beer and wine), then at least for me a 300 mg of vitamin B1 is taken as well as the baking soda to further prevent the lactic acidosis, which may in turn create other acid by products that the body has difficulty getting rid of, which in this case is uric acid.

My other experience is I once had one case where this person liked coffee so much she drank something like 2 liters of coffee, which created gout and hence, coffee drinking or possibly tea should at least be avoided."

11/08/2010: Jean from Ajax, Ontario, Canada replies: "I was suffering with foot pain and swelling for over 10 yrs, no one could help, today is my birthday and my sister sent me this email... Her friend had the same pain for over 10 yrs too... "He said to tell you to ask your Doctor for a prescriotion of Colchicine. 6mg he promised you would be dancing in 2 days and that all the swelling in your feet and ankle will be gone. He says the swelling in the feet is caused by a buil-up of Uric acid, that crystalizes in the joints= gout. "

He said along with the swelling ankles feet and toes comes the strong body odour, due to liver not functioning properly, he said to tell you after you have taking the pills for a little while and you start feeling to great, to start taking natural stuff and stop taking the pills. For example he takes the juice of 2 freshly squeezed limes everyday, then he eats 1/2 to 1 of the rind and skin of a lime pulvurized in the blender and consumes it added to some sort of juice daily, this is to neutralize yur bodies ph."

LITHIUM AND GOUT
09/30/2007: John : "Hi Ted, Thanks for the information. Slight improvement today in the soreness - hard to figure.

I've decided to give the baking soda, apple cider vinegar and black cherry juice more time to work their wonders until resorting to the lithium. I do like the potential anti-aging aspects it provides though.

I apologize for my ignorance when it comes to biology. I had never heard of lecithin before your mentioning it. So, I looked it up. I was immediately caught by the fact that it's a brain and nerve nutrient. It protects the sheaths covering the nerves.

In 1993 I was diagnosed with chronic inflamatory dimyelinating neuropathy. The myelin sheath is being attacked by my own anti-bodies. Perhaps this will help to redevelop the nerve sheath protection that's been lost."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Yes, lecithin is one of the remedies I used to protect the brain sheats against demyelination, as in the movie Lorenzo's oil, not exactly correct in its information, but a lot of people saw that movie.

It should be noted that the blood uric and urea should be measured whenever that happens. Apparently there's
a link on blood urea and uric levels and the body's autoimmunity condition. Copper level is implicated which low copper can initiate an autoimmunity reponse where CuII converts to CuI in presence of fatty brain deposit as a food source. Also if the level is low in urea (as in Multiple Sclerosis) for example then we are dealing is the use of urea as a possible supplement.

There's also a link between virus, fungus, free heavy metals as well. But a virus which attacks the brain has a possible remedy from the use of BHT. A genetic cause can be bypassed by avoiding certain biochemical nutrients which accelerates the condition just the same."

LITHIUM AND GOUT
09/29/2007: John : "Ted, My apologies - in my initial reply I meant to ask you about litium carbonate or lithium citrate. Are these products readily available at drug or health stores? Should I be at all concerned over upsetting the "chemical balance" in my brain by taking litium to treat my gout? Has it become a daily dietary regimen for you? Any health concerns or risks? Thanks again."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Lithium is a essential mineral. At very low dose which is actually 1/10 or 1/20 of a dose used by drug stores, it has little effect. The ones sold in drug stores are way too much and too dangerous, which is about 250 mg. of lithium carbonate.

Smaller versions of 5-20 mg of lithium citrate,lithium orotate, lithium carbonate are available in the internet. Different countries have different restrictions on prescription or not.

A low dose of 5 mg should should have some side effects as ,signs of reverse aging process. Apparently the lithium helps neural growth after a month's dose, in other words, brain cells don't die they simply might have more of it instead. Most people after age 20s will have millions of brain cells die, apparently lithium stops that. That's the only side effect on a very low dose, at higher dose, it may cause frequent urination, and higher metabolic rate.

The key to prevent side effect is just to dissolve the tiny 5 mg lithium in a glass of water then take it. Hence, once
concentration are diluted, its negative effects are reduced.

The other negative side effects of lithium, is that it is taken before sleep because it causes drowsiness. Hence lithium can't be taken during the day time.

Still coffee, and other uric acid rich foods should be avoided and getting urinary pH of 7, should usually help, and lithium is just a last choice in case the gout problem is still too painful. Some support of the liver (to detoxify uric acid better) may help with one tablespoon of lecithin a day or even twice a day, mixed with food or taken alone."

BAKING SODA VS SODIUM BICARBONATE
09/28/2007: Jay from Salem, OR: "Dear Sir; I've appreciated your knowledgable input on so many of the health issues brought up on this site.

Recently, in order to address a severe gout problem that developed after I had cancer surgery on my kidney, I began drinking 1-tsp of baking soda mixed with 8-oz. of water. I've been on this so-called remedy for three days now, but the gout persists, just not as painful.

In reading some of the remedies posted for other health issues, the use of baking soda was also referenced. On a recent post, a lady from Australia pointed out that baking soda and sodium bicarbonate are being confused with one another. She points out that the product being referred to is rightly sodium bicarbonate and not baking soda. As far as I'm aware, these are two different products so I'm hoping for some clarification from you. When "baking soda" is referenced, should I presume the product being referenced is actually "sodium bicarbonate"? Thank you for your willingness to help others."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Baking soda is a common name for Sodium bicarbonate. The whole confusion is actually the baking powder, which has some cream of tartar and not recommended for use.

A severe gout problem will reduce to some extent with baking soda as mentioned. However uric acid are directly soluble whenever a small amount of lithium carbonate is taken, which is 1/10 of the dose of what is given to people with bipolar disorders. The dose is seen to be about 10 to 20 mg given before sleep, but must be well diluted with water so that the uric acid dissolves. Uric acid is not soluble in water but they re soluble in presence of some alkalinity, but especially lithium carbonate, or perhaps other forms of lithium such as lithium citrate. The key is for me to start with a low dose such as 5 mg, and then maybe a gradual buildup to 20. 10-15 mg/day taken before sleep appears to be a more reasonable dose, based on my observations.

The key to uric acid, again based on my own experience, for some reason research is so corrupted, this is what I have to do. But it appears most uric acid comes from shells, clams, oysters, and coffee,being the most prolific on dietary uric acid. It goes off the charts whenever that happens."

THREE WEEKS OLD GOUT PAIN
09/15/2007: F from Denver, Colorado: "I have been suffering from gout pain for three weeks with no end in site. I have read through the postings and have tried the baking soda and ACV twice a day for six days now and have felt no relief. In fact, the pain has increased in intensity. My doctor has now placed me on medication to reduce the uric acid in my body for the next 15 days. I would really like to learn of a life long remedy and not be chained to another medication. I already am being medicayed for HBP and Cholesterol. Any ideas? I would be enternally grateful. Thanks"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "One known remedies used in spring water in a Spring water I think was in Georgia almost a century ago was known to reduce uric acid and scientist of the day knew well that water rich in lithium carbonates or lithium bicarbonate will dissolve uric acid out of the system.

Uric acid is relatively insoluble, but is known to be relatively soluble in water in presence of lithium. I have used only a small amount of lithium carbonate such as 50 mg in 1 liter of water and used that as a drinking water for only a couple of days. Actually it worked quite well and the gout pains was reduced within a matter of a day. In case those can't be found, then I might buy a tiny amount of lithium carbonate or lithium citrate pills at only 5-10 mg and drink plenty of water. This is a relatively old remedy and one of President in U.S. during beginning of the century as I recall did order case of bottled water rich in lithium for his gout condition. Actually, a baking soda alone is an alkaline solution and I might prefer to just use baking soda, such as 1/2 teaspoon taken twice a day in 1/2 glass of water and drink plenty of water as the easiest remedy to reduce the gout.

There is one important issue is that a friend of mine got a terrible case of gout and upon inquiry, I found that she drank in the order of 1 full liter of coffee with cream, milk and sugar. Therefore, coffee and tea, should at least be avoided, and perhaps other uric acid rich foods. However, coffee are the major ones I found to have caused instant gout, if drank in a large amounts of course."

HOW TO KNOW CAUSE FOR FLARE UP?
07/22/2007: Jared from Portland, Oregon: "I have been managing my flare ups for the past 3 years. After the first encounter, plenty of water and diet management seemed to work. Occasionally I would get what I call tinges. Slight pain without the severe pain. Anyways, I started using the recipe for ACV and honey and have seen immediate result. My question is how do I know what is causing a flare up? How much time passes between the item or items I ate and the elevated Uric Acid that causes a gout flare up? I always thought for me it was the brewers yeast in the craft brews I like drinking. I also always drink over 100 oz of water a day. I am currently in a flare up and have seen the benefits in only 3 doses."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "From my own experience it is what I eat. Fatty foods, high calcium foods, too much coffee (with milk) and not enough water, alcoholic drinks, too much meats, acid forming foods (white bread, sugar, fried foods, etc.) and uric acid rich foods (shellfish, peanuts, etc). The list here is not complete but those are the main ones. Deficiencies in vitamin B can also lead to this as vitamin Bs (as well as selenium, cloves, glycine, etc.) are supportive of liver function toxicity. The most useful remedies of ACV is the acetates content which is helpful in liver detoxification. The liver generally detoxify poisons by acetylation, and hence acetates contant in liver may help and malates may help increase cellular energy necessary for detoxification, However, baking soda and others should also be considered too as being helpful. Alkalinity tends to help the body dissolve uric acid better, so drinking more water may not help. I would generally focus on supplements supportive of liver detoxification and there are many, such as milk thistle.

How much time passes between the item or items I ate and the elevated Uric Acid that causes a gout flare up?

Sometimes the flare ups should be noticed the next day. Usually it is a gradual due to bad diets and foods that destroy liver function (e.g. alcohol, wine, vodka) sometimes certain foods causes a gout flare up in some people such as coffee or tea (despite what some researchers say that it prevents gout). Coffee and tea may prevent gout if it has a diuretic effect and drink plenty of water, but it can even bring on that if water is not taken too much.

Whenever a gout is indicated, it is always alkalizing, either ACV, or baking soda, which the alkalinity will help dissolve uric acid.

However, I would rather pay strict attention to certain foods that might cause gout (different people have different sensitivities), such as shellfish, nuts, lack of vitamin b complex, lack of lecithin, acidosis, excess fatty foods, or alcoholic drinks. A liver cirrhosis can also lead to high uric acid since the liver cannot detoxify them. As such, I would look at alkalizing the body, and detoxify the liver by removing excess fats from the diet and lecithin, as well as some selenium supplements. Most liver detox remedy posted does not cover all 4 phases of causes of liver detoxification. One simple remedy at least from my own experience is to take 5-10 mg of lithium carbonate before bedtime as lithium is well known for its efficiency in dissolving uric acid, along with ACV and baking soda too."

QUESTION FOR TED
06/17/2007: Prashant : "hi ted i am from india suffering from gout from past 5yrs. recently i got an attack 25 days back,from past 10 days i am trying your alkalizing formula first i tried only baking soda with water ,but when it didn't worked.i tried your lemon bicarbonate method which worked only in night. my pain and swelling comes to a minimum in night time,but when i wake up in the morning pain and swelling return.can you tell me whats happening."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Prashant: The reason why it worked at night is that people don't eat or take certain drinks immediately before they sleep (or else you get obesity) and it is the drinks and food that you are eating that is activating the gout.

Whatever was eaten during breakfast, the food was high in uric acid. There are four major factors that lead to' gout based on my own observations:

1. High meats
2. High seafood
3. Not drinking enough water
4. High calcium (from potatoes, sundae, ice cream milk, supplements).
5. Either Coffee or Tea may initiate the gout. The coffee might be other components such as milk sugar, etc. that may initiate it. The tea is high in uric. So if you have gout, try something different, by not doing something that you are doing now.
6. Beer, and Liquor seems to initiate gout

Cucumbers seems to be one of them based on some blood tests I have noticed. There are some studies that might deny relationship between gout and coffee, however, i have seen a person who drank a jug of coffee and had a gout attack almost as immediate. It could be certain factors that trigger them, such as milk, sugar, or cream. In any event, the real issue is if you drink a lot coffee and it got worse, then see what happens if you DON'T.

While there is so much conflicting information on gout, what I can say with certainty is alkalizing reduces uric acid, if taken with plenty of water. Calcium is not helpful, more crystalization will lend itself. The other often overlooked issue is the name of gout. Sometimes they are mistaken with arthritis, where in that case a small pinch of borax, in one liter of water may helpful, or that magnesium, where muscle pain and joint pain is due to magnesium deficiency. Taking magnesium citrate 250 mg, and if improvement might be seen.

The cause may be not just the uric, but maybe microbial activities that initiated arthrititic and muscular pain that appears to be gout also. So the cause could be both. Magnesium is anti staph, boron is anti mycobacterium, which might help, in my opinion. Of curse if uric acid is already high, lithium citrate or lithium carbonate between 5-10 mg/day can dissolve uric acid quite efficiently. About 100 years ago people take bath in lithium rich waters to reduce gout as lithium is well know for dissolving uric acid. The lithium rich waters, by the way were high in lithium bicarbonate.

Calcification even without uric acid can initate gout also. In some cases calcium oxalates (from cucumbers, beans, cocoa, chocolate, etc) can initiate that and cause pain too. Therefore vitamin C sodium ascorbate, vitamin B complex might further help as that reduces oxalates by dissolving those.

However, I believe more frequent doses of lemon bicarbonate is necessary during the day also as well as drinking more water.

Ted

Calcium and Protein is the problem!:

1: Br Poult Sci. 2005 Oct;46(5):641-6. Links Clinicopathology of gout in growing layers induced by high calcium and high protein diets. Guo X, Huang K, Tang J.

Institute of Nutritional and Metabolic Disorder in Domestic Animals and Fowls, Nanjing Agricultural University, China.

1. An experiment was conducted to test the independent and combined effects of high dietary calcium and protein concentrations on the induction of visceral gout in growing birds of a layer strain. 2. One hundred and sixty healthy birds were randomly divided into 4 groups at 35 d of age. The different groups were given 4 diets containing normal or high concentrations of dietary calcium or crude protein in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment for 30 d. The diets contained normal calcium (Ca) and crude protein (CP) (NCNP, 8.5 g Ca/kg and 175g CP/kg), high calcium and normal protein (HC, 36.3 g Ca/kg and 175 g CP/kg), normal calcium and high protein (HP, 8.8 g Ca/kg and 245 g CP/kg) or high calcium and high protein (HCHP, 36.8 g Ca/kg and 242 g CP/kg), respectively. 3. Typical visceral gout was induced by the HCHP diet. The HCHP and HC diet caused severe kidney damage. The HP diet did not cause kidney damage, but significantly increased plasma uric acid and inorganic phosphorus concentrations. 4. The HC diet significantly increased plasma uric acid, calcium and sodium, but significantly decreased plasma inorganic phosphorus, potassium and magnesium concentrations. The HCHP diet significantly increased plasma uric acid, calcium and sodium. 5. Urine volumes were significantly higher on the HCHP and HC diets than on the control. The growers raised on HC and HCHP diets had significantly higher total quantity of 24 h urinary excretion of uric acid, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus and potassium and a significantly lower 24 h urinary excretion of sodium. The growers fed on the HP diet had a higher 24 h urinary excretion of uric acid and inorganic phosphorus than the control. 6. It is concluded that growing layer birds should not be fed on layer rations.

: Lancet. 2004 Apr 17;363(9417):1277-81. Links Comment in: Lancet. 2004 Apr 17;363(9417):1251-2. Lancet. 2004 Jul 17-23;364(9430):246-7; author reply 247. Alcohol intake and risk of incident gout in men: a prospective study. Choi HK, Atkinson K, Karlson EW, Willett W, Curhan G.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. hchoi@partners.org

BACKGROUND: The association between alcohol consumption and risk of gout has been suspected since ancient times, but has not been prospectively confirmed. Additionally, potential differences in risk of gout posed by different alcoholic beverages have not been assessed. METHODS: Over 12 years (1986-98) we used biennial questionnaires to investigate the relation between alcohol consumption and risk of incident gout in 47?150 male participants with no history of gout at baseline. We used a supplementary questionnaire to ascertain whether reported cases of gout met the American College of Rheumatology survey gout criteria. FINDINGS: We documented 730 confirmed incident cases of gout. Compared with men who did not drink alcohol, the multivariate relative risk (RR) of gout was 1.32 (95% CI 0.99-1.75) for alcohol consumption 10.0-14.9 g/day, 1.49 (1.14-1.94) for 15.0-29.9 g/day, 1.96 (1.48-2.60) for 30.0-49.9 g/day, and 2.53 (1.73-3.70) for > or =50 g/day (p for trend <0.0001). Beer consumption showed the strongest independent association with the risk of gout (multivariate RR per 12-oz serving per day 1.49; 95% CI 1.32-1.70). Consumption of spirits was also significantly associated with gout (multivariate RR per drink or shot per day 1.15; 95% CI 1.04-1.28); however, wine consumption was not (multivariate RR per 4-oz serving per day 1.04; 95% CI 0.88-1.22). INTERPRETATION: Alcohol intake is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout. This risk varies substantially according to type of alcoholic beverage: beer confers a larger risk than spirits, whereas moderate wine drinking does not increase the risk."

CURE FOR 11 YEARS OLD GOUT
10/18/2006: Malik from London, UK: "After taking the cider vinegar with honey (everything i bought was organic), mixed it in water, i was suffering a gout attack.' Each morning i drank it my pain was getting worse during the day it wore off when i drank it again before supper. The pain was back in the middle of the night. i would be very grateful if any one can help me try to cure my gout i have been suffering from this since i was the age of 19 and now I'm 30 and still suffering from it i am married and have 4 kids been on poisonous medications. I came to this site hoping it would help."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Malik: Several people I know got their uric acid (which causes gout) under control just by using baking soda. There are other safe ways, but this is the simplest way most convenient way I can find.

Since your gout is rather serious, I suggest you take a more frequent dose. In case of serious gout, try 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda taken 3 times per day with one full glass of water on an empty stomach. This in my opinion is still a conservative dose, but it has the least problems. Do not eat anything after taking baking soda for at least 30 minutes, otherwise it might cause loose stools, usually salty foods.

It is important to drink plenty of water. It takes about a week to notice improvement if it is that serious. It is important not to drink tea, coffee, wine, spinach, or strawberries as this would increase the body's uric acid levels. Taking some vitamin C and vitamin B complex would further reduce this problem. Ted"

WAY TO DISSOLVE URIC ACID CRYSTAL DEPOSITS IN JOINTS
09/30/2006: Leonid from Orange, CA: "It is a Question: Do you know the way that will dissolve the uric acid crystal deposits in my joints, using ACV?"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Leonid: Just take 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 glass of water once in the evening and once in the morning and drink plenty of water. The uric acid can easily be reduced this way. A more complicated way is to take 5 mg.-10 mg per day of lithium citrate or lithium carbonate. Lithium is well known to dissolve uric acid and spring water high in lithium is well known for treatment of people with conditions of gout. It is important that you eat diet low in uric acid. Usually oysters, octopus and shellfish are often the major culprits."

QUESTIONS FOR TED
09/26/2006: Ben from Odendaalsrus South Africa: "Hallo Ted. First Que: If I can balance my ph level, currently on 6.4, the Gout will be gone or at least much better. Second Que: My reasoning is that purine acid cannot be excreted out of my body because it is not alkaline enough. Third Que: If the body is too acid u can drink 1000 litre water a day without any benefit - it will not excrete the uric acid. Thanks"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "I have seen gout reduced when baking soda is taken twice a day at 1/4 teaspoon in 1/2 glass of water on an empty stomach. Most of the uric acid will be reduced, but it takes about a month.

Second Que:My reasoning is that purine acid cannot be excreted out of my body because it is not alkaline enough.

Yes. Get enough alkalinity and yet drink plenty of water.

Third Que: If the body is too acid u can drink 1000 litre water a day without any benefit - it will not excrete the uric acid.

The body needs to be alkaline enough and drink water enough. Both are important."

BENEFIT OF SODIUM BICARBONATE WITH ACV
07/30/2006: Dan from Anchorage, AK: "I am very happy to have found this site and can't thank you enough for providing your time and information. I have just started using ACV to treat a long painful crippling 10 week bout with gout. In my reading I was under the impression that the benefits of ACV in regards to gout were due to its high acid level triggering an alkaline reaction in the body. Would you please clarify if it is useful for a gout sufferer to try sodium bicarbonate with ACV for treating gout? Thanks"

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dan: Treating gout is relatively straightforward. A uric acid is a thousand times more soluble in a urine of pH 6.5-7.0 then a urine pH of 5. To get the urine quickly enough and high enough there are two methods that I know that can get there high enough and quickly enough. First is getting urine alkaline enough. There are two ways you can do this that I have seen to be fairly effective:

1. 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid in 1 glass of water, taken twice or three times a day on an empty stomach.

2. Put in 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and add apple cider vinegar until the pH reaches 7. Take this twice or three times a day. Add enough water so it doesn't taste too sour is quite acceptable.

Finally, drink plenty of water and avoid foods rich in uric acid such as shellfish, lobster, oyster, clams, octopus, etc.

The uric acid should dissolve. If not you can try taking lithium carbonate/citrate supplements at below 10 mg/day and drink plenty of water. It is quite well known lithium is quite well known for dissolving gout over 100 years ago when they first discovered it to dissolve gout in a certain mineral springs. The active ingredient for dissolving the uric acid turns out to be high lithium in the drinking water.

Alcohol does not provide the necessary hydration and will worsen the uric acid. It is necessary to avoid coffee and other beans when uric acid remains high. Often taken lithium supplements and drinking plenty of water will relieve the pain within the day. I have seen cases of gout, just by drinking one liter of coffee, therefore I know as a fact that this is also high in uric acid."

DOES GOUT OCCUR DUE TO HORMONAL IMBALANCE?
Prashant : "Ted, i have one more question to ask,does gout occur due to hormonal imbalance.if so can it be cured by the same. thanks for your precious time. prashant."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Prashant:

If hormone is the cause, than the ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) for gout is not used to reduce uric acid or gout, it merely reduce the symptoms. At least that's is from the point of view of conventional medicine.

If you want other explainations, usually its renal failure and dehydration caused by either not drinking enough water, or that hormone imbalances which causes water retention as being a more likely cause.

Generally drinking tea and coffee sometimes lead to reduce uric acid, but I have seen instances of rise in uric acid as a result of those also. The paradox could be due to nondairy cream, cream, milk and sugar. However I didn't investigate them, but do know that a friend of mind if he drinks canned coffee (that includes milk, cream, etc.), then quite likely his gout gets unbearable within hours.

Aspirin reduces uric acid, but they should be dissolve in a glass of water to reduce stomach upsets, certain corticosteroids may reduce

Doctors commonly prescribe, allopurinol reduces uric acid, but I would prefer large doses of vitamin C rather than doctor's medicine. The sodium ascorbate vitamin C is an alkaline form that I used, but some sensitive people do have stomach sensitivity whenever it is too alkaline or too acid, and as a result they should be dissolved in a glass of water to reduce that effect by dilutions.

Hormonal like remedies may help gout by supporting normal kidney functions may also help, such as licorice extract, one tablespoon a day. Low protein diets helps. Gout a century ago used to be called rich man's food, because of the rich diets, full of meats, sugars, and oily food. So those diets tend to be associated with gout. Today, with modern food technology the availability of rich foods of high protein diets are causing gout.

Liver problems can bring on high uric caicd due to reduce detoxification, bought on for example by alcohol, but can be bought on also by mineral deficiency such as selenium. Long term deficiency and toxic chemicals leading to cirrhosis can lead to gout also, due to reduce liver function as a result of obstructive biliary disease that prevents transport of uric acid.

Drinking plenty of water usually reduces uric acid, but excess can lead to hypnotremia, so in that event, some sea salt added to thd drinking water can reduce the problems.

If a person is diabetes, that can lead to gout, so a remedy for me is usually 1 tablespoon of granulated lecithin once a day.

Urine should generally be clear (in a cup for examination) and will indicate either the body is high in solutes, or trying to get rid of the solutes. Unclear urine is often the first signs the body is either dehydrated from not drinking enough water, needs more alkalization, need to take less calcium rich foods, need to reduce fatty foods and high protein foods, need to take more vitamin C or take vitamin B complex. If the urine is clear, then the problems of gout and other hidden conditions that can lead to kidney stones, and other problems can be prevented early."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "One additional information on gout that most people, including me, keeps forgeting is that during the Roman times, they drank wine from Lead Kegs. As a result, gout was common from lead poisoning. In that event, removing lead will be helpful such as taking some oral EDTA (dissolved with plenty of water) to remove lead will reduce the problems of gout. I don't know how common lead poisoning is, but it was quite common with the use of lead based paints in the 1960s-1970s, as well as lead in gasoline, that has been banned, only to be replaced by an even more toxic metal, which is the cadmium."

07/14/2012: Pauline from Norwich, UK replies: "Hello Ted, I was very interested to read your advice about gout and intend to try your baking soda rememdy tonight (pray god it works) I have been suffering severely for the past six months with gout and am now at my wits end- I was perscribed Allopurinol 300mg but started to get Angina so stopped using them. The swelling and pain in my hands at the moment is almost unbearable so i'm keeping my fingers crossed that the baking Soda will do the trick!! Just a couple of questions Ted,

(1) is it ok to use the baking soda if you've suffered a heart attack? and (3) I'm also diabetic so the same question!

Thanks for your time Ted.

very best Regards, Pauline"

07/24/2012: Jack 1010 from London, Middlesex replies: "Hi Ted, Can Lithium Carbonate technical grade be used, and at what amount, for gout. As this is only available to me."