Alternative Treatment For Gout

Several researchers have suggested a link between uric acid and iron.

Now, research suggests that an alternative treatment for gout may be simply reducing the amount of iron in the body.

FS Facchini has shown that reducing iron in the body by drawing blood has a significant benefit for gout.

Gout Research

The researcher's goal was to investigate whether or not iron removal would improve the outcome of gouty arthritis in humans. They aimed to lower iron levels, but not to the point of anemia.

12 gout patients had blood removed until they were almost deficient in iron. At this level, the subjects had just enough iron to maintain normal red blood cell production (hence near-deficiency).

The subjects were monitored for 28 months, and suffered no ill effects from the loss of blood. They did, however, gain significant improvement in their gout.

58% of subjects achieved complete remission from gout attacks, whilst the remainder experienced fewer and less severe attacks.

Though the sample size of this study is fairly small, it does point strongly towards the view that reducing iron is an effective alternative treatment for gout.

If frequent blood donations are not an option, then reducing the amount of available iron in the body through diet is an obvious alternative.

Ask questions and share experiences of your alternative treatment for gout in the gout forum.