Is a high protein diet the best way to lose weight? There have been some famous diets that advocate this, most notably the Atkins Diet. There are also some more recent diets, such as the New High Protein Diet that are slight modifications on the Atkins Diet. All of these diets tell you to eat more protein and fewer carbohydrates, and insist that this is healthier and will allow your body to burn calories more efficiently.

When it comes to diets, you can always find many experts on both sides of a question or debate. The high protein diet is no exception. The first thing we should look at is the question of whether this is a safe and healthy way to eat. The answer is, it depends. A very high protein diet can put stress on your kidneys. This is especially true if you are prone to kidney stones or other kidney-related problems. In fact, if you have this kind of health issue, you should not go on a high protein diet without consulting with your physician. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking to make a change and lose some weight? I have reviewed the top diet on the internet and you can go and read over 200 comments people have made about why this diet has worked well for them, as well as some of the problems.

Gout is difficult to treat but there are a few gout home remedies that you can use to ease the symptoms of this debilitating, painful condition.

What Is Gout?

Gout is also known as metabolic arthritis. It is a form of arthritis caused by a combination of blood acidity and abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid forms crystals which are deposited on the joints, causing pain and distortion in the joints.

A gout attack will cause acute arthritis and it is intensely painful. The big toe is one of the most commonly affected joints. If the condition persists, then over a period of time the crystal deposits will form lumps around the joints and sometimes in other areas. These deposits are called tophi.

Diet is an important factor in causing gout. Genetic factors play a part and gout is more common in some racial groups than in others. It is more common in men than in women and it mainly affects people over 50.

Home Remedies For Gout

Ice packs placed on the affected joint are the best way to relieve pain other than medication. You can use an ice pack for 20-30 minutes several times a day.

During a flare up of gout you should drink plenty of water to help the body clear out the urates. Follow a low protein diet, avoiding meat, fish, sweetened foods and drinks, and alcohol.

Bicarbonate of soda is a traditional remedy which works for some people. However, this will raise sodium levels which can have an effect on blood pressure. Do not take bicarbonate of soda if you have been told to cut down on salt.

Potassium supplements have been suggested in some cases. Most fruit is high in potassium, especially bananas. Black cherries have been helpful for some sufferers.

Some people have reported good results from taking ginseng supplements. Another possibility is to mix turmeric and ginger and add this to food. Turmeric and ginger have anti inflammatory properties.

Doctors will generally prescribe medication, or you can take non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen from the drugstore. These are not natural remedies but may be something you are willing to take. However, do not take aspirin, which can make it worse.

Prevention Of Future Attacks

Anybody who has had gout in the past will be susceptible to future attacks unless they take preventive steps. The most important of these is diet.

The best diet for gout prevention is low in fat and low in protein. In particular, avoid beef and seafood which are high in animal based purine. Vegetable based purine does not seem to have the same effect.

It is also important to avoid certain foods and drinks which are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This is a very common sweetener in the USA and it can lead to hyperuricemia in blood. Just two soda drinks a day have been linked to an 85% increase in risk of gout. Beer should also be avoided.

Consumption of dairy foods, on the other hand, seems to lower the risk of gout.

If you are overweight you can greatly reduce your chances of having attacks of gout in the future by stabilizing your weight within the healthy range for your height.

Always consult with your doctor before trying any gout home remedies to check that they are suitable for your individual case.