By Radina Gigova and Amarachi Orie, CNN

04.14.26 8:44:47 AM

Dr. Eric Tayag

Dr. Eric Tayag is a renowned rheumatologist in the Philippines, known for his expertise and leadership in the field of arthritis and autoimmune diseases. His notable roles include: Chief of the Rheumatology Section at Makati Medical Center, specializing in the treatment of arthritis, gout, lupus, and other rheumatic conditions. Consultant Rheumatologist at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa and the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). President-Elect of the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR). Coordinator of the Crystal-Induced Arthritis Special Interest Group (SIG) under APLAR, focusing on conditions like gout. Lead author of the 2021 APLAR Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of gout, and a contributor to the Asia-Pacific Gout Registry Project.

Dr. Eric Tayag has declared that he knows the key to controlling and improving GOUT — and that it is possible to reduce the condition at any stage.

Our reporter had the opportunity to interview this renowned doctor. Willie Ong explained in detail his approach to addressing the root causes of GOUT. Rather than simply masking symptoms such as pain or inflammation, his method focuses on lowering uric acid levels in the blood, preventing the formation of urate crystals in the joints, improving kidney function, and restoring joint mobility—offering long-lasting relief and a sustainable path to managing the condition.

Reporter: Dr Eric Tayag, you have often emphasized that managing uric acid levels is the most crucial factor in treating gout. Could you explain why this approach is so foundational?

Dr. Eric Tayag:
"Simply put, gout occurs when there is an excess of uric acid in the blood. This uric acid forms sharp urate crystals that accumulate in the joints—most commonly in the big toe, but also in the ankles, knees, wrists, and fingers.

When we’re healthy, uric acid is dissolved in the blood and excreted through the kidneys. But due to factors like a purine-rich diet, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, or impaired kidney function, uric acid levels begin to rise.

Because these crystals are hard and needle-like, when they deposit in the joints, they trigger sudden and intense pain, inflammation, redness, swelling, and stiffness. Many patients describe the pain as unbearable, often striking at night.

Imagine tiny shards of glass building up inside your joints—every movement becomes painful. That’s what gout feels like when uric acid is not properly controlled."

That’s why, to effectively manage gout at its root, we must focus on reducing uric acid levels and preventing the formation of urate crystals. Our approach involves:

- Cleansing and supporting blood circulation as well as kidney function, so uric acid can be filtered and eliminated more efficiently from the body;

- Providing key supportive compounds and nutrients that help regulate uric acid metabolism and maintain joint health, reducing the risk of crystal buildup;

- Stabilizing the body’s inflammatory response to control acute gout attacks, relieve pain and swelling, and prevent further joint damage caused by urate crystal deposition.

This isn’t just theoretical—it’s an approach that has been clinically applied in managing gout. Many patients who once struggled with severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility—and relied heavily on painkillers—can now move more comfortably thanks to better uric acid control and reduced urate crystal buildup in the joints.

Think of this method like fixing a system overloaded with waste. It’s not just about masking the pain (temporary relief during a gout attack), but about addressing the root cause—excess uric acid—to prevent crystals from forming and damaging the joints over time.

Only when we control uric acid levels—the true root of gout—can treatment be effective, long-lasting, and help prevent recurrent painful flare-ups.

Reporter: Doctor, what serious conditions can result from uncontrolled gout if left untreated?

Dr. Eric Tayag:
"If gout is not properly managed, it can lead to a range of serious complications. The most common is the formation of large urate crystal deposits called tophi, which can deform joints and severely limit mobility.

Over time, repeated gout attacks can cause permanent joint damage, making it difficult for patients to walk, work, or even perform daily activities. In some cases, the joints may become stiff, misshapen, or lose function entirely.

Another major concern is kidney damage. Excess uric acid can form kidney stones or even lead to chronic kidney disease, affecting the body’s ability to filter waste properly.

Gout is not just a joint disease—it is a metabolic condition that, if ignored, can impact the entire body. That’s why early control of uric acid levels is essential to prevent long-term complications."

To help you better understand the risks associated with gout, I’d like to share with you some images from my patients:

Image showing severe joint deformity caused by chronic gout, with visible swelling and tophi (urate crystal deposits) in the hand—leading to stiffness, pain, and loss of normal joint function over time.

Gout patient

Gout patient

Reporter: Complications from GOUT —such as chronic joint inflammation, tophi formation, and kidney damage—often lead to disability and a severely reduced quality of life. In the Philippines, the rate of mobility loss among the elderly due to uncontrolled gout and related metabolic conditions is significantly higher than in many developed countries. Many experts believe that effectively lowering uric acid levels and improving the body’s ability to eliminate it are key factors in successful treatment. But why hasn’t this approach been widely adopted?

Dr. Eric Tayag:
Yes, the situation is truly concerning. In the Philippines, most gout patients are treated only symptomatically—with painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs—without addressing the root cause of the disease: elevated uric acid levels and the buildup of urate crystals in the joints.
Effectively lowering uric acid levels and supporting kidney function to eliminate excess uric acid are key to restoring a healthier internal balance and protecting the joints. However, why isn’t this approach widely implemented? The main reason is a lack of awareness—both in the medical community and among the general public—about the critical role of long-term uric acid control. Many people still believe that gout attacks are temporary and that taking medication during flare-ups is enough. But in reality, if uric acid remains high, crystals continue to accumulate, increasing the risk of chronic gout, joint damage, and kidney complications.
In many developed countries, long-term gout management has been emphasized for decades. People over 40 are often advised to adjust their diet, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and follow appropriate medical guidance to keep uric acid levels under control. As a result, they experience fewer flare-ups and remain physically active even into their 70s and 80s.
So the big question is: Why hasn’t this knowledge become more widespread in the Philippines? It remains a challenge of public health education. I believe that if we shift mindsets and update treatment strategies based on controlling uric acid at its root, millions of people suffering from gout can avoid serious complications, break free from recurring pain, and continue to live active, fulfilling lives.

Reporter: Dr. Eric Tayag, let’s get straight to the point. The public is very interested in the gout management approach that you’ve been advocating. Could you share more about this method?

Dr. Eric Tayag
"Absolutely, and I’m more than willing to share. The approach I’m currently using to manage gout has undergone significant improvements in recent years.

In the past, when treating gout, many patients relied mainly on painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs during flare-ups. While these could relieve symptoms, they did not address the root cause—elevated uric acid levels. As a result, attacks kept returning, sometimes becoming more frequent and severe over time. Many patients became frustrated because they didn’t see long-term improvement.

However, through deeper research and clinical application, we’ve identified a more effective direction: focusing on a comprehensive strategy that combines uric acid control, kidney support, and anti-inflammatory regulation.

First, we aim to reduce uric acid production and enhance its elimination from the body—especially through supporting kidney function. This helps prevent the formation of urate crystals in the joints.

Second, we incorporate supportive nutrients and bioactive compounds that help regulate metabolism, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of crystal accumulation in joint tissues.

Let me emphasize this: gout is not just about joint pain—it’s a metabolic issue. If we only focus on relieving pain without addressing uric acid levels, the condition will continue to worsen over time.

Thanks to modern advancements, supportive solutions today are more standardized, easier to use, and better absorbed by the body. Most importantly, with consistent management, many patients begin to notice improvements within a few weeks—reduced pain, fewer flare-ups, less swelling, and better mobility.

This is not just temporary symptom relief—it’s a long-term strategy aimed at controlling uric acid, preventing crystal buildup, reducing inflammation, and protecting joint function. With this approach, I truly believe that millions of people can break free from recurring gout attacks and return to a more active, comfortable, and healthy life."

"We named it NanoFast, as part of a supportive protocol for managing gout. This formula is developed based on natural herbal extracts, with the goal of helping regulate uric acid levels, supporting kidney function, and improving circulation to reduce the accumulation of urate crystals in the joints.

Unlike many synthetic pain relievers that only provide temporary relief during gout attacks—and may put pressure on the liver, kidneys, or cardiovascular system—NanoFast is designed to work through a more holistic mechanism, supporting the body without placing excessive strain on vital organs.

After just 3–5 days of use, many patients report early positive signs such as reduced joint pain, decreased swelling, and less stiffness—especially during acute flare-ups. With consistent use, it helps the body better manage uric acid levels, thereby reducing the frequency of gout attacks and improving overall joint comfort.

In the Philippines, this gout management approach using NanoFast has been applied and observed in clinical settings for over a year, with data reported by relevant research groups.

A large-scale observational study was conducted with 10,000 patients diagnosed with gout and related metabolic conditions. All participants followed a structured regimen under professional guidance.

The results were encouraging:

- 89% of patients experienced noticeable relief from pain and inflammation within 5–7 days

- 83% reported fewer flare-ups and improved joint mobility after several weeks

Importantly, no serious adverse effects related to liver, kidney, or cardiovascular function were reported.

These findings suggest that NanoFast may help support uric acid control, reduce inflammation, and improve joint comfort—offering a more sustainable approach compared to relying solely on conventional pain relief during flare-ups.

This represents a new direction—focused on long-term management, metabolic balance, and improved quality of life for people living with gout."

Clinical research on NanoFast conducted by the Philippine Institute of Metabolic and Joint Health has recorded promising results in supporting the management of gout and related conditions caused by elevated uric acid levels:

These findings demonstrate the exceptional safety and efficacy of NanoFast in cartilage regeneration, chronic pain relief, and comprehensive mobility restoration, offering new hope for millions of joint patients across the Philippines and the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Reporter: “How much does NanoFast cost and where can people buy it?”

Dr. Eric Tayag:
"Currently, there are many products on the market claiming to support gout management, but most are quite expensive and often deliver limited long-term results. However, I do not encourage the use of overpriced solutions that fail to address the root cause—uric acid imbalance.
NanoFast is offered at a very reasonable price, especially considering that it is positioned as part of a supportive gout management program in the Philippines.
Furthermore, users may have the opportunity to receive promotional offers of up to 50% off, making it more accessible for those who need long-term support in controlling uric acid levels and reducing gout flare-ups."

To order NanoFast please fill out the official form. Your request will be automatically sent to the person in charge of the promotional program.
We will contact you after your request is submitted.