Gout is a painful Omen of Cardiovascular Disease. Due to a whole host of Lifestyle Choices, Gout and Cardiovascular Disease share many of the same risk factors.
In Part Two of this Three Part Series we will be exploring the effects and the connection of Oxidation or Free Radical Damage and Gout. The connection of Free Radical Damage and Gout is not usually identified as often as it is with Cardiovascular Disease. This is a closer look from the "cellular" perspective.
As we discussed in Part One of the series, an Overly Acid Inner Bodily Terrain or Acidosis is the right environment for Gout, as well as many other Lifestyle or Degenerative Diseases, to develop.
As our body chemistry moves down the pH scale, the acidic chemistry of our blood, lymph and other body fluids cause different kinds of corrosion and also assists in the detrimental force of Oxidation. Oxidation is often referenced in our external environment as metals rusting, plants decaying, or oils and fats turning rancid.
Due to the same poor lifestyle choices that create the acidity in our bodies, they also facilitate the process of Oxidation. Fast food and junk food, sodas and sweet drinks, unmanaged and uncontrolled Stress, negative thinking, smoking, poor air quality, toxic environmental chemicals all play a major role in creating the Free Radical Damage in our bodies.
Free Radical Damage, Oxidative Damage, and Oxidation often refer to the same thing. In recent times, free radical damage has become a buzz word with negative connotations. However, our bodies naturally need and make free radicals to deal with viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic foreign invaders. It is only when we become over-loaded with toxic chemicals and substances that the over-abundance of free radicals start to cause undue damage.
This is the over-used example of what a Free Radical is; when an unpaired electron of atom starts a damaging metabolic chain reaction. This damage causes cells to mutate and multiply and spread the unhealthy reproduction. A rough and extreme example of the consequences of free radical damage is Cancer.
Nevertheless, the damage happens constantly to our trillions of cells. Each and every one of our cells is a living organism that lives, breathes, and dies. The process of how the cells receive nutrients and fuel, and eliminate waste is what we want to have greater concern for.
The cells of our bodies "float" in solution of water called the Interstitial Fluid, sometimes referred to as our Inner Sea. The more neutral the chemistry of that water the better, for it is the medium that brings the fuel to the cell to be burned for power or energy. That is our life energy; when we are feeling low energy or high energy, it is due to the ability of our cells to receive or not receive the nutrients and fuels they need.
When the fuel is used or burned there is a waste, much like a wood stove. When the wood is burned it leaves behind ash and also produces a gas or smoke. In the case of the cells, this is carbon dioxide and an ash. The Interstitial Fluid is what is used to carry those wastes away.
The critical point is the Cell Wall or Membrane. Due to Oxidative Damage or corrosion, the complex and fragile Cell Membrane starts to function poorly, not letting the proper fuels in and not letting the toxic wastes out. As time goes on and this process continues, the toxic wastes build up and are the cause of our poor health.
One of the compounds that the body makes is Uric Acid. Uric Acid is one of several metabolic acids that accumulate that eventually the body then has to take drastic measures to protect the vital organs from. That is how a Gout Attack develops.
Uric Acid finds a joint to deposit in and crystallizes. It stays there until the body can reach a level of health that it can acceptably deal with the excess.
In Summary: Gout is the result of the excess accumulation of toxic acid wastes that buildup due to the Free Radical Damage of the Cell Membrane.
Uric acid is a powerful antioxidant but when there is too much, it becomes a problem. "What are purines?” comes up frequently because uric acid is the by-product of purines - eating low purine foods is one of the basics of managing and controlling gout.
Bert Middleton, The Gout Killer!