JASON IVLER: 2 AGENTS HURT IN SHOOTOUT WITH NBI "ACTUAL FOOTAGE" 01-18-2010

JASON IVLER: 2 AGENTS HURT IN SHOOTOUT WITH NBI "ACTUAL FOOTAGE" 01-18-2010



Jason Ivler shoots it out with NBI
By Reinir Padua
Source (The Philippine Star)
January 19, 2010




MANILA, Philippines - Just days after Renato Ebarle Jr. was shot dead during a traffic altercation in November last year, a helper in the household of Marlene Aguilar-Pollard noticed furniture being moved around the house as a renovation got under way.

Alerted by the helper, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) kept the house in Blue Ridge, Quezon City under surveillance, even as Aguilar-Pollard insisted that the allged gunman the NBI was looking for, her son Jason Aguilar Ivler, might have already fled to Hawaii.

Yesterday, the NBI’s sleuthing paid off.

A hail of gunfire met the agents as they opened the door leading to the basement. The agents fired back, and a wounded Ivler was carried out of his mother’s house, ending a two-month manhunt.

Lawyer Ruel Lasala, NBI deputy director for intelligence, told reporters that Ivler suffered gunshot wounds in the right shoulder and abdomen and underwent surgery at Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) after the shootout at No. 23 Hillside Drive in Blue Ridge A Subdivision.

Some 50 heavily armed NBI agents raided the house at around 6 a.m. after receiving information that the suspect was hiding in his mother’s Blue Ridge residence.

Dr. Fernando Lopez, head of the surgery department of the QMMC, said Ivler was in “guarded condition” following surgery after his large intestine was ruptured and his spleen sustained a laceration.

Lasala said lawyer Lito Magno, chief of the NBI Special Action Unit (SAU), sustained a graze wound on his right thigh and was brought to the Medical City for treatment, while special investigator Anna Lira Labao was wounded in the left side of her chest and was brought to QMMC. She has been transferred to the Manila Doctors Hospital.

The raiding team seized from the Ivler an AR-15 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, and a tactical vest with ammunition magazines.

“Nag ala Rambo siya (Ivler went berserk like the movie character Rambo),” Lasala said, describing how Ivler went berserk when NBI agents found his hideout in a secret room under the stairs of the house.

Lasala said Ivler’s mother Marlene Aguilar became hysterical as she confronted the NBI raiding team.

Ivler is the nephew of musician Freddie Aguilar and stepson of Asian Development Bank economist Stephen Pollard, a British citizen married to the suspect’s mother.

Ivler was charged with murder for the killing of Renato Ebarle Jr., son of Renato Ebarle Sr., an assistant secretary at Malacañang Palace, during a road rage incident at the corner of Boni Serrano St. and Ortigas Avenue in Quezon City last Nov. 18.

The suspect was earlier charged with homicide through reckless imprudence for the death of presidential adviser Nestor Ponce during a traffic accident in 2004. Ivler has two standing arrest warrants in connection with the two cases.

Another complainant had come out and accused Ivler of threatening him with a handgun during another traffic altercation also in Quezon City the night before Ebarle was shot dead.

The suspect allegedly used in the three incidents a vehicle that carried diplomatic license plates assigned to his stepfather Pollard.

The NBI said additional charges of assault upon persons of authority, resisting arrest, and illegal possession of firearms would be filed against Ivler.

Charges against Ivler’s ma

Lasala said they filed charges of obstruction of justice against Aguilar before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office for harboring an accused and for not reporting to authorities Ivler’s presence in her house. A bail of P12,000 was recommended.

She is temporarily detained at the NBI.

Aguilar had earlier claimed that she had received an email from Ivler purportedly sent from Hawaii.

The NBI would also took custody of Aguilar and two houseboys, Requiel Faburada and Anthony Espolon, who were brought to the NBI headquarters in Manila for questioning.

Pollard was not at the house during the raid.

“I’m still in a state of shock. My son is still fighting for his life. That’s all. I hope you understand,” said Aguilar.

Lasala said Ivler is now in stable condition and being guarded by the NBI and police operatives at the QMMC.

Dr. Lopez said Ivler is on analgesic painkillers and had a small dose of sedatives to calm him down.

“He (Ivler) is still sedated but responds to verbal communication,” Lopez said.

Lopez said the healing of Ivler’s wounds could take seven to 10 days, while regaining complete function of the affected organs could take 30 to 40 days.

Lasala said wounded NBI SAU chief Magno was treated for a wound in the right thigh and was able to attend the NBI press conference yesterday afternoon. NBI agent Labao is also in stable condition and confined at the Manila Doctors Hospital after she sustained shrapnel wounds in the chest.

Roland Argabioso, head of the Field Operations Division of the NBI, said an informant went to the NBI two weeks ago and reported that Ivler could be hiding at the Blue Ridge house.

The NBI said the suspect was found hiding inside a storeroom at the basement of the house under the stairs.

“There was a special area inside the house that served as his hiding place,” said Lasala.

Government agents had previously failed to arrest Ivler after two previous raids at the Blue Ridge house last year.

Lasala said that after the two failed raids, Ivler thought it was already safe for him to stay at the house, thinking authorities would not return.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said Ivler’s arrest was a result of the sharing of intelligence information between the NBI and PNP.

“We are glad that he is now arrested. His arrest is the product of intensive intelligence gathering and sharing,” said Espina.

Housemaid gave vital information

A former housemaid of Ivler’s family played a key role in his arrest.

Ivler’s mother terminated the services of three of her five housemaids days after Ivler shot dead Ebarle Jr.

NBI agents were able to interview one of the dismissed housemaids who reported the “unusual” behavior of Aguilar in the days after the shooting incident that was played up in the media.

The housemaid whose identity was withheld, claimed that Aguilar hired several carpenters to renovate their house after Ebarle’s killing.

Aguilar also moved furniture from the living room and other parts of the house for unknown reason.

The housemaid also learned that Aguilar had ordered food for five to six persons when there are only three people left residing in the house.

The investigators could not send the housemaid back into the house since she was already dismissed and the NBI was prompted to serve the arrest warrant against Ivler, based on a “strong hunch” that the road rage suspect was hiding inside.

“The NBI had not established the presence of Ivler inside the house. Apparently Ivler panicked and opened fire exposing himself to the NBI raiders who immediately surrounded the house and engaged him in a shootout,” said a police official who monitored the NBI operation.

The police official said the NBI confirmed that the carpenters hired by Aguilar had constructed a new room at the house.

The extra food ordered by Aguilar was apparently intended for Ivler and his still unidentified girlfriend. Members of the NBI raiding team used ladders to climb the high concrete fence of the suspect’s house after the people inside refused to open the gate.

Aguilar started shouting when the agents barged into the house and began searching the house.

Quezon City Police District investigator Police Officer 3 Gregorio Maramag said Ivler eventually went out of his hiding place, carrying an AR-15 rifle and wearing a bandolier, and started shooting at the NBI agents who fired back at the suspect who was hit and disabled.

The suspect also yielded a .45 caliber pistol.

QMMC doctors said after Ivler’s surgery the suspect was transferred to another room that was secured by NBI agents.

Ivler ‘happy-go-lucky’

As if a testament to his decision not to give up without a fight, Ivler had a tattoo on the right side of his neck that says: Handang mamatay (ready to die).

A childhood friend, who identified himself only as Andrew, arrived at the hospital yesterday upon hearing news on TV about what had happened to Ivler. He said Ivler was a schoolmate at Brent School and was “happy-go-lucky as a child.”

He said that the last time he met Ivler was in 2003, Andrew said the Jason Ivler that he knew was the opposite of the one being portrayed in the media as the murder suspect.

“I don’t remember Jason being like that. I still can’t believe it,” he said.

Ivler was born in Massachusetts, USA on Jan. 7, 1982. Ivler was a former member of the US Army.

Records at the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) of the PNP showed that he was not a licensed firearms holder.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) also insisted that Ivler, who sports a tattoo in his right arm, has an expired driver’s license.

Ebarle Jr.’s father, Renato Sr., had met top PNP officials last Jan. 14 who briefed him on the progress of the manhunt for the suspect.

The PNP formed tracker teams to arrest Ivler but they were beaten by the NBI.

Renato Sr. said the stepfather of his son’s killer, Stephen Pollard and other relatives and friends who helped Ivler hide from authorities, should also be charged with obstruction of justice.

“It’s a great day for me and my family. It’s a great relief for my children and my wife,” he told a news conference in Malacañang.

He said an aide of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita woke him up at around 7:30 a.m. informing him of Ivler’s arrest.

“It is an answer to our prayers. Right after we learned of it, my wife, my children, cried and we thanked the Lord,” he said with tears in his eyes.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the bureau is investigating the possible liability or culpability of other house helpers.

“We will have to finish the investigation so we will know if there is basis to warrant the filing of charges against the house helpers for obstruction of justice or not.”

Namesake expresses relief

Filipino worker Jason Aguilar, who was deported recently from Qatar after being mistaken for his namesake, expressed relief yesterday over the arrest of the real fugitive.

“He was happy and relieved about Ivler’s arrest,” said Susan Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, following her conversation with the Filipino worker.

The Blas Ople Center, which has been helping Aguilar, welcomed the arrest of Ivler but called for public vigilance to make sure that justice is served.

Ople said Aguilar is still waiting for a certified public document that would help clear his name as a safeguard against any form of harassment in the future.

Aguilar, a Filipino welder, was deported from Qatar last December after he mistaken to be the fugitive Ivler.

“With Ivler’s arrest, things are slowly falling into place. Still, the mystery remains. What caused the wrongful arrest of Jason Aguilar by the Qatar police? On record, what set of fingerprints did the NBI and PCTC send to Interpol? Was it Jason’ or was it Ivler’s? And what will the government do to make sure that a similar case of mistaken identity would not happen again?” Ople said

She said Ivler’s mother Marlene should be held accountable for the damage rendered to victims’ families and to Jason.

“She hid him from law authorities even when it was reported that an innocent man was put in jail and eventually deported for a crime he was not even aware of. After learning about Jason Aguilar’s case, all she did was offer to pay his placement fee, as if money could solve everything. Her actions have led to a clear obstruction of justice and for that, she must also be held accountable,” Ople said. With Evelyn Macairan, Mike Frialde, Non Alquitran, Mayen Jaymalin, AP

The Life of Jason Ivlers - it all began with an accidental traffic acident which lead to his downfall

SOURCE HAWAII ADVERTISER
August 24 2004


A 22-year-old Hawai'i Pacific University student has been accused of reckless homicide and is not being allowed to leave the Philippines following a traffic wreck this month that killed an adviser to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, police there said.



Also in the Isuzu were Ponce's wife, Evangeline, and their driver, Gramje said. Both have since been released from the hospital, police said. The wreck occurred at 5:30 a.m. Aug. 8 in Pasig City.

Witnesses said Ivler lost control of his vehicle before it crossed the median and hit Ponce's van, police said. Philippine National Police Inspector Johnathon Pablito said yesterday that investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs played a role in the wreck.

Ivler was charged with reckless homicide by Pasig prosecutors Aug. 10, police said. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 7.

Ivler has been a student at HPU for more than a year, after transferring from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He is an American citizen, born in Massachusetts.

His stepfather, Steve Pollard, a senior economist with the Asian Development Bank, and his mother, Marlene Aguilar, live outside Manila. Pollard lived in Kailua for five years before taking his current job.

Ivler was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine equivalent of the FBI, as he tried to catch a ferry bound for Malaysia Aug. 17, police said. Agents of the NBI and the Bureau of Immigration arrested Ivler in Zamboanga City onboard the M/V Mary Joy II passenger ship.

Pablito said Ivler is free on bail of 30,000 Philippine pesos (about $536), but immigration officials have issued an order preventing him from leaving the country.

Police said Ivler's arrest came after authorities learned from immigration officials about his plan to flee to Malaysia, police said.

According to the Philippine National Police, Ivler was trying to slip out of the country escorted by three PNP officers, including a police colonel.

Pablito said he did not know how the PNP officers knew Ivler, but said they were acting independently of the department.

Police said Ivler's police escorts initially refused to turn him over to immigration officers. They gave in only when NBI agents informed the group that Ivler was forbidden from leaving the country by an immigration order, police said.

"Those people (with him), a colonel and a chief inspector, they did not have any orders from higher-ups; they were there on their own," Pablito said.

Pablito said the officers who accompanied Ivler face criminal charges.

The death of Ponce and the arrest of an American have sparked sensational news coverage in the Philippines.

Ivler said that after he was arrested, a guard came to fetch him from his cell, he was led into an office and when the door opened, the Philippine press was there to meet him.

"I went into the office and it was like an ambush; every channel you could think of was there," Ivler said. "Two NBI agents stood behind me and the director in front of me and they just read a statement, making me look 10 times worse than had they heard my side of the story."

Pollard, Ivler's stepfather, said the young man tried to flee because he feared being killed.

"He was trying to escape for his life," Pollard said. "We have in writing that Ponce's family and friends are seeking retribution."

Pablito said he had heard about Ivler's family's concern over possible retribution and given the high-profile nature of the case, he understands their anxiety. But, he said that any retribution that the Ponce family might seek would be strictly limited to legal channels.

"It is all legal, in legal means," he said. "We have not come across any vigilante thing."

Precy Ponce, the crash victim's sister, told Today newspaper that her family will take all legal means to ensure Ivler is held responsible for his actions and will trust everything to the court.

According to Nestor Mantaring, deputy director of the NBI, local police in Pasig City are handling the accident investigation. Mantaring said Ivler and his lawyers claim a third car hit Ponce's before Ivler's did, and that investigators are trying to assess the validity of the claim.

Ivler's mother and stepfather said that, since the accident, the family's phones have been tapped and threats have been made against their son.

"He's never had any criminal case against him in his life," said Marlene Aguilar, who is the sister of Philippine musician Freddie Aguilar. "We're awaiting for arraignment, and my job is to keep my son alive."

Pollard said that after the accident a hospital refused to treat Ivler, and a hospital official told the family that the facility was full. The family then drove Ivler to another hospital, Pollard said.

A day after the accident, while Ivler lay in a hospital bed recovering from leg and back injuries, police officers showed up in his hospital room, Pollard said. Pablito said PNP officials believed Ivler should be guarded because of all the publicity.

Ivler's family maintains that while Ponce's death is tragic, Ivler was involved in a traffic accident, nothing more.

"We've lost a lot of sleep," Pollard said. "How do you handle the emotions of death and fear of your own son's security and safety, and deal with the police?"

Added Ivler: "Everything just got put on hold for a court date, and then God knows what is going to happen

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Obama in Hawaii

Zoo visit closes first family's stay

By Rob Shikina
Star Bulletin
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 04, 2010

On their last day here yesterday, the Obamas visited the Honolulu Zoo and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where Obama's maternal grandfather, Stanley Dunham, a World War II veteran, is entombed. The zoo closed at 4:30 p.m., so the first family had the park to themselves as the sun set over Waikiki.

Obama squeezed in a round of golf earlier at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on a Marine base near his vacation rental.

During their stay, the family mostly kept a low profile.

Officials said the trip was designed to give the president a break from the political demands of Washington. But Obama could not prevent work from interfering with his vacation. Even before leaving, the trip was delayed a day as Obama waited in Washington for senators to pass a landmark health care reform bill.

While in Hawaii, Obama responded to the failed terror plot to blow up an airliner heading to Detroit on Christmas Day.

He received several briefings and made two statements and a radio address about the United States' efforts to prevent breakdowns in security.

The first family, who arrived in Honolulu on Christmas Eve, stayed at the same rented $9 million Kailua beachhouse as on their last winter vacation.

Each day, the president started his day with a workout at the Semper Fit gym on the Marine base in Kaneohe, often with his wife. He also visited Hanauma Bay and Sea Life Park.

Obama played golf four times during the vacation: twice at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, once at Mid-Pacific Country Club in Lanikai and once at Luana Hills Country Club in Maunawili.

Michelle Obama played tennis with her husband at Kailua Racquet Club. She and the president also greeted Marines on Christmas Day, but she skipped a trip to Sea Life Park, the movie "Avatar" and shave ice at Island Snow in Kailua.

Obama played basketball on two mornings with friends on the Marine base and also enjoyed a closed beach with his family on the base.

The president traveled to the other side of the island, making a one-hour drive to spend a day at the Mokuleia beachfront home of former Punahou Schools classmate Bobby Titcomb.

A dinner outing to Alan Wong's restaurant last week drew crowds as the Secret Service blocked off several lanes of King Street. He also went out to dinner at Lucy's Grill n' Bar in Kailua.

Supporters and protesters gathered and waved signs around the corner from Obama's vacation house a few times during his visit. They included native Hawaiians opposing federal legislation that would treat them similarly to American Indians, and a group of "disaffected Democrats" seeking stronger action on health care and the Middle East.

Hawaii Cruises:Hawaii's four most popular islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii

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There are basically two types of Hawaii cruise itineraries. One involves cruising across the Pacific from the West Coast to Hawaii, usually visiting three islands and returning back to the U.S. by air, or vice versa. These trans-Pacific itineraries are usually operated in spring and fall.

On the other itinerary, you fly roundtrip to/from Hawaii (avoiding the Pacific Ocean crossing by ship), and cruise the Hawaiian islands for 7 to 10 days. NCL America, a division of Norwegian Cruise Line is presently the only cruise line authorized to cruise exclusively among these US ports.
Is a Hawaii cruise package a good way to visit the state?
If you wish to visit and explore a few islands in a week's time, and avoid the hassles of inter-island travel, a cruise is a good way to do it. The ship generally cruises in the evening, and you spend a good part of the day in port, with a wide selection of shore excursion options to choose from.

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Can you golf on a Hawaii cruise?
With some of the most exquisite golf courses in the world, many golfers welcome the opportunity to golf when visiting Hawaii, and you can readily do so while enjoying a Hawaii cruise vacation. Norwegian Cruise Line's NCL America offers Calloway clubs for rent, as well as club storage and cleaning. Norwegian Cruise Line Hawaii packages include transportation to and from the courses and the ship, care of clubs, and a variety of courses to choose from.

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Hawaii cruises vacation packages : Royal Caribbean International

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In Hawaii, Nature Tends to be a Bit of a Show-off
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The island of Hawaii is called the Big Island with good reason. It's more than twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined. And every inch is covered with lush scenery, from rugged volcanoes to waterfalls and rain forests. It's home to the steaming craters and hardened-lava rivers of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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Days onboard are casual, and you'll be most comfortable in sport clothes and resort wear. Shoes should be low-heeled for deck activities. Bring a few swimsuits so you'll always have a dry one. You don't have to bring towels, as they are provided. And don't forget your camera and binoculars, so you don't miss a thing.

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Ashore, you'll need comfortable walking shoes as well as a hat and sunscreen for protection from the sun.

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Gout is an extremely painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the system

Gout is an extremely painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the system. It's most common in overweight men over age 40. Losing weight, eating right, reducing the amount of alcohol in your diet and drinking plenty of water help reduce uric acid levels, decreasing the frequency and intensity of flare-ups. The recommended diet for gout is low in purine-rich foods (purine is a protein byproduct) and high in anti-inflammatory foods, such as omega-3 fats, berries and cherries.
Uric Acid Metabolism

Uric acid is a normal part of metabolism, made by our bodies when purines are broken down (a byproduct of protein foods). Usually, uric acid is dissolved in the blood, filtered by the kidneys and excreted from the body through urine. Those suffering from gout either produce too much uric acid or are unable to efficiently excrete it. Over time, uric acid condenses and forms sharp crystals around joints, resulting in inflammation and severe pain. Attacks come and go but may last for weeks. Deposits of these crystals (tolphi) build up around joints and cartilage, increasing in size over time. Long-term results may be crippled joints and the development of uric acid kidney stones. Drug therapy and lifestyle modifications are beneficial for decreasing attacks.
Control Your Weight

Obese people have higher levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Thus, staying in a healthy weight range offers protection against gout. Interestingly, even a slight weight gain (six to 10 lbs.) in early adulthood increases the risk of developing gout. Those who are able to control their weight typically eat a calorie-controlled diet that's low in total and saturated fats.
Avoid Purine-Rich Foods

Eliminate foods that are high in purines. These are typically protein-rich foods, but there are other foods and beverages that contain significant amounts of purines. Doing this helps prevent severe symptoms and may enhance the effectiveness of drug therapy. Foods to be avoided on a low-purine diet include: organ meats (liver, kidney and sweetbreads), sardines, anchovies, mackerel, canned fish, mussels, beef, pork roast, chocolate, beer, red wine and beans. Foods that offer a moderate amount of purines (eat less of these foods) include: peas, legumes, oatmeal, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms and luncheon meats.
Beverages

Drink alcohol in moderation. It can worsen gout in two ways. Alcohol increases the body's production of uric acid, and it impairs the kidney's ability to excrete the uric acid. Heavy red wines have the highest purine content. Drinking water, on the other hand, helps flush the kidneys and dilutes the uric acid in the bloodstream. Juices count as well. Aim for at least 10 cups daily. If you want to drink juice, choose black or tart cherry juice and/or pomegranate juice. Both of these contain phytonutrients (disease-fighting plant compounds) that are anti-inflammatory. Water them down to decrease sugar content. Try drinking non-fat milk as well. Non-fat milk (and low-fat yogurt) have health benefits that include decreasing elevated uric acid levels in the bloodstream.
Eat More Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Consume healthy fats, especially omega-3 fats, in moderation. This essential fatty acid has anti-inflammatory benefits. Choose vegan sources of omega-3 fats such as walnuts, flaxseeds, and flax and canola oil. Cherries and other dark red/blue berries are rich in compounds that protect collagen from being destroyed (an effect of gout). These berries contain an antioxidant flavonoid chemical group known as anthocyanins (that give them their bluish-red hue). Anthocyanins fight inflammation, characteristic of any type of arthritis. Tart cherries are also rich in one powerful antioxidant known as quercetin. Quercetin acts as an anti-inflammatory agent as well. Eating blueberries, strawberries and especially cherries daily may alleviate pain because of their powerful anti-inflammatory properties.


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Good foods for gout . whats should i eat i have gout?

Cherries have a natural anti-inflammation power.
Drink a Glass of cherry juice or 20 pieces of cherries
or 1 tablespoon of cherry concentrate.


What Should You Eat?

Dietary restrictions suggest what people should not eat, but what should people eat? What foods will help control gout attacks? The American Medical Association recommends the following dietary guidelines for people with gout, advising them to eat a diet:

* high in complex carbohydrates (fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, and vegetables)

* low in protein (15% of calories and sources should be soy, lean meats, or poultry)

* no more than 30% of calories in fat (with only 10% animal fats)

Recommended Foods To Eat

* Fresh cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and other red-blue berries
* Bananas
* Celery
* Tomatoes
* Vegetables including kale, cabbage, parsley, green-leafy vegetables
* Foods high in bromelain (pineapple)
* Foods high in vitamin C (red cabbage, red bell peppers, tangerines, mandarins, oranges, potatoes)
* Drink fruit juices and purified water (8 glasses of water per day)
* Low-fat dairy products
* Complex carbohydrates (breads, cereals, pasta, rice, as well as aforementioned vegetables and fruits)
* Chocolate, cocoa
* Coffee, tea
* Carbonated beverages
* Essential fatty acids (tuna and salmon, flaxseed, nuts, seeds)
* Tofu, although a legume and made from soybeans, may be a better choice than meat

Foods considered moderately high in purines but which may not raise the risk of gout include: asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, spinach, whole grain breads and cereals, chicken, duck, ham, turkey, kidney and lima beans. It is important to remember that purines are found in all protein foods. All sources of purines should not be eliminated.

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Bad foods for gout . Foods to avoid for Gout:. I have gout what should i eat?

Foods and Other Things to Avoid

• Meat: organ meats, offal, meat extracts, veal, bacon, sweetbreads, meat gravies and broths, consommé/bullion
• Poultry: turkey, goose
• Seafood: salmon, mackerel, trout, cod, herring, sardines, anchovies, mussels, crab, shrimp
• Vegetables: peas, beans, lentils, asparagus, mushrooms, cooked spinach, rhubarb, cauliflower
• Yeast products: baked goods, beer
• Alcohol - it increases the production of uric acid and inhibits its excretion by the kidneys
• Coffee - it accelerates the breakdown of protein into uric acid
• All fried foods - they cause a depletion of vitamin E, which can cause uric acid to rise
• Cream and ice cream
• Rich desserts
• Spices
• Pastries
• Simple sugars, simple carbohydrates and saturated fats - they increase your body's production of uric acid and impair your kidneys' ability to get rid of it. Eliminate fructose (found in food and drinks, like sodas)
• White flour
• Aspirin can raise uric acid levels. If you need to use pain killers, only use ones with ibuprofen.
• Oatmeal
• Whole grains
• Caffeine - it impairs kidney function, which is needed to get uric acid out of the body.

Prevention

• One of the best ways to prevent gout is to drink at least 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water, fresh juices or herb tea daily, especially at the first signs of gout. This will keep your urine diluted and will help your body excrete uric acid and prevent crystals from forming.
* Eat foods high in potassium, as mentioned above.
• Eating generous amounts of other fruits and vegetables helps keep uric acid crystals in solution.
• Take the flavonoid quercetin - see below under Folk Remedies. This should be part of your permanent gout-prevention diet.
• Lemon juice prevents gout attacks by stimulating the formation of calcium carbonate in the body. Calcium carbonate neutralizes acids in the body, including uric acid that triggers gout attacks. After each meal drink the juice of one freshly squeezed lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. To get more juice out of the lemon, bring it to room temperature, then roll it around on the counter with the palm of your hand.
• Taking 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with meals will prevent gout attacks. This will help alkalize the body.
• Keep the leg elevated.
• A high fiber diet also aids in the elimination of uric acid by absorbing bile acids formed in the liver. These bile acids can act as a precursor to uric acid.

Supplements

Low-purine diets are low in vitamins B, E and other antioxidants, so supplementation will be necessary to prevent damage from free radicals that can intensify gouty problems.

B complex One to three 50 mg tablets of the complete B complex daily, plus 500 mg of pantothenic acid (B5) in divided doses to assist the body's conversion of uric acid into harmless compounds.

Bromelain 500 mg twice daily as an anti-inflammatory.

Fish oil Take 2 grams of fish oil capsules 2x a day to reduce the chances of gouty inflammation.

L-glutamine 500 mg four times daily on an empty stomach - is an antacid.

L-glutathione 500 mg twice daily on an empty stomach - increases renal cleansing of uric acid.

L-glycine 500 mg four times daily between meals - acts as an antacid.

L-methionine 250 mg twice daily on an empty stomach - detoxifies purines.

Magnesium citrate 400 mg three times a day - an antispasmodic to relieve pain.

Shark cartilage used on a daily basis of 3-6 capsules/day can make the pain disappear and allow you to eat previously forbidden foods within one week without experiencing pain in the affected joint. After approximately one month of continuous use, you may stop taking the cartilage until the pain reoccurs. At this point you will probably only need to take the cartilage (3-6 capsules) for a week or two. You may continue this on/off cycle as needed. Your uric acid level may return to normal, but even if it doesn't, the pain will go away.

Tissue salts To prevent the formation of uric acid crystals, take two tablets of 6X Silicea three times a day. During a gout attack, increase the dosage to three tablets and add an equal amount of Nat. Phos. and Nat. Sulph.

Vitamin C 1,000 mg per hour at the very outset of a gout attack, then reduce to 500-3,000 mg daily for maintenance. Vitamin C helps lower serum uric acid levels.

Vitamin E Low-purine diets are low in vitamin E and fried foods deplete it, so supplementation will be necessary as a deficiency can contribute to the formation of excess uric acid. Begin with 100 IU of natural vitamin E, and slowly increase to 6-800 IU daily.


Acupressure

• Press just below the center of the nose toward the upper lip.

• Press and massage between the ball of the foot and the bottom of the big toe on each foot; then on the left foot only, stimulate a point halfway between the base of the little toe and the heel pad.

• Press inward and upward on the underside of the protuberance at the base of the skull.

• On both hands, press and massage a point on the inside of the pad at the base of the thumb directly beneath the index finger; then on the left palm only, stimulate a point halfway between the base of the little finger and the wrist.


Remedies
Folk

Alfalfa is a good source of minerals and other nutrients that help reduce serum uric acid.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) Add some rose hips to vinegar and boil; dab on affected area. You may need to apply this mixture several times a day for a few weeks. The vinegar changes the blood pH so that the crystals will go into solution and be excreted.

• Mix two teaspoons each of apple cider vinegar and raw honey in a glass of water and drink at mealtime.

• Soak the foot in a mixture of 1/2 cup of ACV and three cups of hot water.

Bilberry is high in anthocyanosides and flavonoids, which are helpful in overcoming gout.

Black cherry juice Get some natural, concentrated black cherry juice and drink several tablespoons of the concentrate daily. You should expect relief in 48 hours.

Black cohash moderates blood acidity.

Blueberries are high in anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins, which help ease the pain of gout.

Buchu tea helps dissolve and flush out uric acid crystals.

Castor oil packs Soak a piece of white flannel in warm castor oil, wring it out and place over the affected area; cover with plastic wrap and apply a heating pad. Do this for one hour twice daily.

Cayenne pepper Boil one tablespoon of pepper in 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water and dab onto the painful joint.

• Mix cayenne with enough wintergreen oil to make a paste and apply to the affected area.

Celery seeds These seeds are quite effective in relieving gout by eliminating uric acid from the body. According to James Duke, Ph.D., a medical botanist formerly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, celery seeds contain about twenty different anti-inflammatory agents. Although there is little scientific research on celery seeds, according to Kerry Bone, a leading expert on herbal remedies in Australia, "it (sic) works brilliantly in patients." Recommended dosage is 500 mg (standardized to 450 mg of celery seed extract) 2x daily. Note: This remedy is not to be used by pregnant women because of its diuretic effect and the fact that it can encourage uterine contractions, or those with kidney disease because of its potential diuretic effect and that the plant's oils can worsen kidney inflammation.

• Cook a tablespoon of celery seeds in two cups of water until they are soft; strain and drink 1/2 cup four times a day.

Charcoal Take 1/2 -1 teaspoon of activated charcoal daily.

• Make a poultice using 1/2 cup of activated charcoal, 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed and warm water to draw out the toxins.

Cherries If you are lucky enough to have fresh cherries, eating 6-8 cherries daily will relieve the symptoms of gout. This remedy was reported in 1950 by Dr. Ludwig W. Blau who cured his own gout. Frozen and canned cherries may also be used. When you feel an attack coming on, eat 20-30 cherries immediately. Cherries are rich in compounds that prevent the destruction of collagen, which the body uses to form connective tissue. The connective tissue is damaged by gout. Cherries also have an enzyme that neutralizes uric acid and are high in anthocyanins which have high antioxidant properties as well as anti-inflammatory action. For greatest effectiveness eat them between meals.

Devil's claw reduces uric acid levels and is a natural cleansing agent for toxic impurities. Take 400 mg of the dried extract 3x a day for as long as desired.

DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) is very effective in relieving pain and swelling caused by inflammation. It helps dissolve crystalline deposits.

Garlic Eat several cloves of raw garlic daily. Mince the garlic and add it to black cherry juice for a potent remedy.

Ginger Put 1/3 cup of ground ginger (buy in bulk to keep the cost down) in a bathtub of water and soak for 30 minutes. This will cause you to sweat (a good thing) which will help eliminate the uric acid from your tissues. When you are finished the bath be sure to rinse off thoroughly, as the ginger can cause skin irritation if it dries on your skin.

Grapes are high in alkalines which lessen the acidity of uric acid and aid in its elimination from the body.

Hawthorn is high in anthocyanosides and flavonoids, which are helpful in overcoming gout.

Hydrangea is an anti-inflammatory.

Ice Apply an ice pack for ten minutes, then alternate with a moist hot-towel compress, to soothe and numb the pain.

Mullein Soak mullein leaves in a hot vinegar/water mixture. Pack the leaves on the affected area.

Nettle contains alkaloids which neutralize uric acid.

Parsley acts as a natural diuretic.

Quercetin The flavonoid quercetin inhibits uric acid production in a similar fashion to commonly prescribed drugs for gout. Take 1000 mg of quercetin along with 1,000-1,500 mg of the enzyme bromelain (to enhance absorption) two to three times daily between meals. Bromelain also help reduce the inflammation.

Red clover has traditionally been one of the standard remedies for gout, as well as removing toxins from the body, and treating psoriasis, eczema, and hot flashes. Studies have shown that red clover may thin the blood, so it should not be used by patients who are also taking an anticoagulant medication. While red clover is high in isoflavones, the reason it is helpful in treating gout has not been studied.

Saffron neutralizes uric acid buildup.

Spearmint Make a poultice of spearmint leaves and wrap the affected area.

Strawberries Eating a cup of strawberries with each meal should bring quick relief. They neutralize uric acid.

Yarrow Make a tea by using equal parts of yarrow and stinging nettles; strain, cool and drink several cups a day.

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