Home treatments and preventions for gout

Home treatments and preventions for gout

A rather peculiar disease, gout these days evokes thoughts of old Henry VIII and medieval medical treatments. But it does still exist today, and people who suffer from it can testify to how incredibly painful it is. A severe form of arthritis, gout is caused by an excess of uric acid, which creates crystals around joints, the Mayo Clinic says.

"Crystals" may not sound like that big a deal — but they are no joke. Uric acid buildups are mostly caused by high levels of purine, which in turn are brought about by what some people would call a lavish lifestyle. Here are a few ways to counteract high intakes of purine.