4 Key Benefits of Celery Seed for Gout

Sufferers of gout are familiar with the acute pain that the condition causes. Attacks are often severe and set on suddenly, marked by redness, swelling, and extreme tenderness of the affected area. Lingering pain and discomfort can last for hours, days, or even weeks depending on the severity of your condition, highlighting the need for relief. Recently, many sufferers have started to seek out alternative natural remedies, with many individuals declaring the benefits of celery seed for gout.

Celery seed can be consumed in several different fashions. Raw seeds can be directly ingested, although this method is generally not preferred due to their bitter taste. Instead, many users opt for extracts. Tablets and capsules can make it considerably more palatable to start or maintain a regimen, including products offered directly by PurMedica.

Please remember always to consult your doctor or health professional prior to beginning a new drug or supplemental regimen of any kind.

Uric Acid Control

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of urate crystals in a joint. These crystals often form as result of elevated uric acid levels in the body, which can be spurred on by rich foods, alcohol, and fructose (fruit sugar found in sweetened drinks), among other consumables.

One of the benefits that celery seed has been said to offer is a means of controlling uric acid levels. In fact, celery itself is thought to be an effective means of lowering the acidity in your system. Research is actively being conducted on the phthalide 3nB (3-n-butyl) in celery seed, which appears to stimulate the kidneys and in turn help the body flush out uric acid more effectively.

Limiting Inflammation

If you’ve jolted awake in the night with a fiery sensation in your big toe, then you know the painful inflammation that comes with gout. According to medical botanist James Duke, Ph.D., celery seeds offer a large assortment of anti-inflammatory agents—at least 26 of them, in fact. Dr. Duke, the author of several herbal remedy books, claims to have eliminated his own gout attacks through celery seed treatment.

Scientific evidence on this particular claim is currently limited to a study conducted by Chinese researchers on rats. A 2008 publication of Food Science revealed results which noted that celery seed did consistently decrease uric acid levels in the rats, although similar results have not yet been recorded in humans.

General Pain Relief

Several patient studies have revealed that celery seed may be effective in managing the reported pain for those who suffer from gout. Promising results reflected dramatic relief from painful symptoms after three weeks of twice-daily treatment in groups as large as 70 patients. Statistically, appreciable reductions were found in key categories including mobility, pain scores, and overall quality of life.

Absence of Side Effects

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of celery seed is the evident lack of undesirable side effects resulting from treatment. Current studies do not indicate contradictions or adverse reactions with conventional medications. Again, though, it’s important to note that the advice of a medical professional should always be sought first before engaging in a new medicinal regimen.

Please also note that the effects of celery seed have not been evaluated extensively in children or pregnant women, and therefore additional caution should be exercised in the cases of these two groups.

Closing Thoughts

At PurMedica, we understand that gout is a very painful condition, so it’s understandable that sufferers are eager to find relief for symptoms. Often times, the best strategy is to make lifestyle changes which limit the potential for flare-ups. By controlling one’s intake of foods and beverages which can serve to exacerbate gout problems, the effects of celery seed can be perhaps even more beneficial.

• With or without utilizing celery-based treatments, always make sure to properly hydrate yourself in order to keep gout symptoms in check. This is not only good for your general health, but ensures steady dilution of urine and excretion of uric acid.

• Try to keep alcohol consumption in moderation, or eliminate it entirely if possible. By speeding up the breakdown of purine, alcohol elevates uric acid production, which in turn can trigger painful episodes. Brewer’s yeast can be especially troublesome for many individuals, making it advisable to avoid beer in particular.

• On the subject of purine, your general dietary choices are important when it comes to controlling gout attacks. Organ meats, steak, shellfish, mackerel, anchovies, and herring are all purine-rich and are capable of aggravating gout symptoms. The less these you make these foods part of your regular intake, the better you’re likely to feel.

While it’s important to note that many scientific studies are continuing, a growing number of celery seed users have reported relief from their symptoms over the last several years. Numerous small studies have also returned promising results, which has led to greater hope that the medical community will soon be able to uncover even greater treatment potential of celery seed for gout.