Benjamin Franklin included many gout remedies in his later writings, though he likely suffered from osteoarthritis rather than gout. Gout is a form of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the blood that forms crystals in the joints. Avoiding purine-rich foods like meat and drinking plenty of water can help treat gout symptoms by diluting uric acid levels. Exercise also improves the body's immune response. A natural supplement containing cherry and plant extracts can provide relief from gout symptoms.