CherryActive: Much-Needed Relief To Gout, Fibromyalgia And Arthritis Sufferers

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For over eight years John Carey suffered agonising pain caused by gout. The attacks affected his feet and toes and made his life miserable. On a business trip to the US, he had yet another attack that left him unable to walk and in despair. By chance, an American colleague told him about the health properties of Montmorency cherries, grown in northern US states, which he had heard offered relief to gout and arthritis sufferers. John decided to try the Montmorency cherry juice and within a week the pain in his toes had amazingly abated. Since then he has continued to take the juice on a regular basis and, besides the odd twinge, has not experienced any gout attacks for almost two years now.

Inspired by this remarkable fruit, John decided to make it available to other gout sufferers, and now sells Montmorency cherries in juice concentrate and capsule form throughout the UK. Sold under the name of CherryActive, it recently won the Natural Trade Show 2007 award for best product in the supplements and remedies category.  

Packed full of therapeutic ingredients

Tart cherries, specifically the Montmorency variety, are packed with high levels of antioxidants compounds that protect the body against harmful toxins and slow down cell degeneration. According to scientific analysis, there are at least 17 antioxidants in Montmorency cherries. Dr Muraleedharan Nair, professor at the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, in the US, says, Twenty cherries provide 25 milligrams of anthocyanins [antioxidants that give the fruit its bright red hue] , which help to shut down the enzymes that cause tissue inflammation in the first place, so cherries can prevent many kinds of pain.

Other beneficial antioxidants in Montmorency cherries include proanthocyanins from the flavonoid family, superoxide dismutase (a powerful enzyme and cellular antioxidant), and melatonin one of the most potent known antioxidants ever discovered.

How do Montmorency cherries reduce the pain of gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint, leading to the sudden development of pain and inflammation. People with gout either over-produce uric acid or are less efficient than others at eliminating it.

US researchers found that levels of uric acid decreased significantly in volunteers blood over a five-hour period after they ate cherries for breakfast. In another study that looked at the effects of cherry consumption on markers of inflammation in healthy men and women, it was found that circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein and nitric oxide decreased by 25 per cent and 18 per cent respectively after 28 days of taking the cherries.

C-reactive protein, which is produced by the liver, increases rapidly during inflammation, such as during a gout attack. An increase in nitric oxide is another reliable sign of inflammation. This biochemical is also thought to play a role in damaging arthritic joints.

Many gout sufferers in the UK are now finding pain relief with the aid of Montmorency cherry products. Peter Lippiatt from Chipping Sodbury says, I have just ordered my second consignment of CherryActive concentrate. I have also passed the information to my doctor with the news that it works whereas his remedies usually cause further problems! No gout, arthritic pains disappearing together with other improvements it should be on the National Health it would save them millions!

The cherries can also benefit arthritis and fibromyalgia sufferers

In addition to gout, sufferers of other forms of arthritis such as osteo and rheumatoid arthritis have experienced dramatic improvements in their symptoms following supplementation with CherryActive. The fruit appears to strengthen muscles and ease muscle pain as well, making it a useful treatment for fibromyalgia a condition characterised by pain in the fibrous tissues of the body such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Most patients with this condition say that they ache all over, and that their muscles feel like they have been pulled or overworked.

Christine Craggs-Hinton, author of The Fibromyalgia Healing Diet (Sheldon Press) is herself a sufferer of fibromyalgia and has spent a great deal of time researching this illness in order to heal herself. She says, Having read of the benefits of cherries, I began drinking CherryActive cherry juice To my joy, I was soon finding that my pain levels were lower than ever before in the 15 years of my fibromyalgia.
The cherries can also aid muscle recovery following exercise. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine revealed that strength loss and pain following exercise were significantly less in the cherry juice trial compared to the placebo trial. Most notably, strength loss averaged over the four days after exercise was 22 per cent with the placebo but only 4 per cent with the cherry juice.

From pain control to promoting a restful nights sleep

Ongoing scientific studies are demonstrating how foods naturally rich in melatonin like Montmorency cherries can help sufferers of insomnia gain deep, restful sleep.

Melatonin is a hormone and antioxidant produced in the pineal gland, which is located in your brain. It helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Normally, melatonin production is inhibited by light and stimulated by darkness its secretion peaking in the middle of the night.

However, in this modern world, artificial lighting can interfere with melatonin production, leading to low circulating levels of this sleep hormone and associated sleep problems.

Trevor Gale, a kinesiologist from Staines has found his clients have had some very good results with CherryActive supplementation, particularly as an aid to sleep.
What to take for best results

CherryActive concentrate contains no added sugar or sweeteners just 100 per cent Montmorency cherries. In fact a single bottle contains the juice of around 3,000 cherries (half a tree). The recommended daily dose is 30ml (2 tbsp) of concentrate, diluted with water, in a half-pint glass. The bottle contains approximately 31 servings. 

CherryActive capsules contain about one hundred powdered Montmorency cherries per capsule, with a recommended dose of one to two 500mg capsules daily. 

There are no contraindications associated with CherryActive. However, if you are on existing medication its always wise to consult your GP before use. 

Sources:

1. J Nutr. 2003;133(6):1826-9
2. J. Nutr. 2006;136:981-986
3. Br J Sports Med. 2006 Aug;40(8):679-83
4. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Oct;49(10):4898-902