by B.J. Armstrong

November is the 11th month of the year. It has 30 days and comes between autumn and winter. Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day near the end of the month. November is called a "thankful" time and there is much we can be thankful for. This might be the time to give thanks over and over again. Share the month with others ... especially with family as we gather together for food and fellowship. When the month is over, let it go with grace. Be thankful and trust God to be with you in the next month.

Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results,

Bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.

(Nothing can come from corn but corn, Nothing from nettles but nettles.)

Are you by chance or deed a King, Baron, or other rich folk who spurge on food and alcohol? Do you have "gout ... the disease of Kings?" Since ancient times, people believed gout only troubled kings, barons, and other rich folk. "The

gout," Charles Dickens once wrote, "is a complaint as arises from too much ease and comfort."

Experts now know gout is a form of arthritis that tends to run in families. It strikes you fast. A painful attack can keep you in bed for weeks. If you suffer from gout, your body has problems dealing with uric acid. Either your body produces too much, or your kidneys can't flush it out. This causes uric acid to

build up in your blood, leading to sudden and repeated attacks of gout.
As Thanksgiving approaches, there will be a tendency to over-eat. It's hard to resist all the good food at this feast-time for many of us. This is not a good time to begin a new diet. But, being over weight and having high blood pressure are two major causes of gout. Cut down on fatty foods and eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains plus exercise. Water not only helps prevent

dehydration, it flushes out uric acid. Your body needs at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day.

Crystals of uric acid are deposited in your joints which trigger inflammation. Failure to treat gout could cause disfigured joints and kidney stones. If you have the symptoms of

gout, see your doctor. He can get at the root of the problem and prescribe medication to prevent future outbreaks.

Here are some ideas to consider if you have gout. Chew on cherries. Some researchers think that they work as well as drugs, without the side effects. The cherry compound supposedly stops the body from producing chemicals that cause inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundation, ginger and turmeric might be two things to fight gout. Both spices are known for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory powers.

To ward off an attack of gout, try dairy products. According to a recent study from Canada, eating at least 30 grams of dairy protein a day can help keep the amount of uric acid under control. Getting one serving of yogurt which has 12 grams of protein and a cup of milk with 8 grams will be sufficient for the day.

Purines cause your body to produce too much uric acid, this can cause uric crystals to form in your joints, leading to inflammation and pain. High purine foods include that Thanksgiving turkey, dried peas and beans, salmon, bacon, liver, and cauliflower. Check with the doctor about a low-purine diet.

Also, watch out for alcohol.

"An intoxicated man is one who feels sophisticated but can't pronounce it."
... Vic Knight

Alcohol can bring on an attack of gout, causing intense pain. So, drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids, ideally eight ounces with each meal, starting with this Thanksgiving meal.

The question again .. Do you have "the disease of the kings? If so, you have gout.

Have a Happy and Thankful Thanksgiving.
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