Gout is an inflammatory condition that causes tenderness, swelling and severe pain in the joints. Areas affected are the joints of the hands, knee, wrist, ankle, foot and most commonly the joint of the big toe. Gout usually occurs in men over the age of 40 and is caused by high levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is usually eliminated from the body by the kidneys but if too much uric acid is produced or not enough is eliminated then it can build up in the blood and form crystals in the joints. Gout attacks can last from between a couple of days to over a week and if left untreated gout can cause long term damage to the joints and the kidneys. Recent studies show that Montmorency Tart Cherries may alleviate the pain of GOUT & JOINT INFLAMMATION (more...)