Actor Anthony Anderson not too long ago revealed his gout analysis after consuming extreme quantities of shellfish whereas filming in New Orleans. The 54-year-old star shared his painful expertise on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Skilled podcast on April 28, 2025, detailing how what he initially thought was a damaged toe turned out to be one thing rather more advanced.
How Shellfish in New Orleans Led Anthony Anderson to a Painful Gout Flare-Up
Throughout the podcast episode, Anderson recounted the second he first skilled signs whereas filming what was possible his 2007 crime drama Ok-Ville, which was set in New Orleans. “I used to be residing in New Orleans for some time, taking pictures a present there,” Anderson informed Shepard. “I used to be consuming nothing however seafood and shellfish.”
The pivotal second got here throughout a scene the place Anderson needed to kick in a door. “All of the purine within the shellfish contributed to my buildup of uric acid and – I’ll always remember – I used to be within the scene, and I went to kick a door in,” he defined. “And I hit it. And I mentioned, ‘I believe I broke my toe.’”
What Anderson didn’t notice on the time was that his ache wasn’t from a fracture however from a gout flare-up. The situation worsened once they moved to movie at a resort later that evening. Anderson described how he was mendacity throughout a mattress when the director known as “Motion,” requiring him to leap up and chase a perpetrator. When he put strain on his proper foot, he collapsed in ache, additional convincing himself that he had damaged his toe.
Anderson Shocking Analysis
The following day, Anderson visited a physician, nonetheless satisfied he had damaged his toe from kicking the door. Nevertheless, the medical professionals had been skeptical of his self-diagnosis. “They’re taking a look at it like, ‘I don’t suppose you broke your toe,’” Anderson recalled. “I mentioned, ‘Yeah, no, I believe I broke my toe.’ They’re like, ‘You might need the gout.’ I used to be like, ‘No, ain’t acquired the gout.’”
To humor Anderson, the physician ordered an X-ray, which revealed the reality. The physician delivered the information with a contact of humor: “We acquired excellent news and unhealthy information. Which one would you like first?” When Anderson selected the excellent news, the physician knowledgeable him that his toe wasn’t damaged. The unhealthy information? He certainly had gout.
Understanding Gout: A Painful Actuality
Gout is a kind of inflammatory arthritis related to elevated ranges of uric acid within the blood. When uric acid ranges rise too excessive, crystals can kind within the joints, inflicting intense ache and swelling. This situation usually impacts the massive toe however also can influence different joints like knees, ankles, and elbows, making them really feel tender, heat, and swollen.
The ache from gout might be excruciating, as Anderson vividly described: “When you have a look at it, it seems to be pink scorching. When you put your hand above it, you possibly can really feel the warmth coming off of it.” This description aligns with typical gout signs, the place affected joints can change into so infected that even the lightest contact could cause insufferable ache.
Anderson’s expertise highlights a well-established hyperlink between weight-reduction plan and gout. Uric acid is a standard waste product fashioned from the breakdown of meals, significantly compounds known as purines. Sure meals excessive in purines can set off gout assaults or worsen signs in these already experiencing the situation.
Shellfish, which Anderson was consuming in abundance throughout his time in New Orleans, is understood to be excessive in purines. When purines break down, they “kind a substance known as uric acid,” as Verywell Well being explains. “Excessive ranges of uric acid could cause gout.” Different seafood that may set off gout consists of anchovies, sardines, scallops, trout, tuna, and mussels.
Danger Elements and Issues
Whereas weight-reduction plan performs a big function in gout growth, different elements can enhance susceptibility. Anderson’s sort 2 diabetes possible contributed to his situation, as folks with diabetes are extra prone to growing gout. Further danger elements embrace being chubby, consuming alcohol (significantly beer), and sure drugs.
Latest analysis has additionally prompt that not all seafood impacts gout equally. A research revealed in Frontiers in Vitamin in April 2023 discovered that seafood wealthy in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) may not enhance gout danger as a lot as seafood poor in these helpful fat. This nuanced understanding of the connection between seafood consumption and gout danger remains to be evolving.
Managing Gout By Weight-reduction plan and Remedy
For Anderson and others affected by gout, remedy usually consists of anti-inflammatory medicines, over-the-counter painkillers, and dietary modifications. Avoiding high-purine meals is essential for stopping future assaults. These meals embrace:
- Pink meats (beef, lamb, pork, and bacon)
- Organ meats (liver, tripe, sweetbreads, brains, and kidney)
- Sure seafood (anchovies, sardines, scallops, trout, tuna, and mussels)
Sustaining correct hydration can also be vital, as dehydration could also be a danger issue for gout. Ingesting 1-1.5 liters of fluids every day is really helpful for basic well being advantages, although people with coronary heart or kidney issues ought to seek the advice of their physician about acceptable fluid consumption.
Weight administration by way of balanced wholesome consuming and common bodily exercise may also help decrease uric acid ranges and scale back the chance of gout assaults. Nevertheless, speedy weight reduction by way of fasting or crash weight-reduction plan ought to be averted, as these approaches can really enhance uric acid ranges and set off gout assaults.
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Anthony Anderson’s expertise serves as a reminder of how dietary decisions can considerably influence our well being, typically in surprising and painful methods. His willingness to share his story brings consideration to gout, a situation that impacts tens of millions however is commonly misunderstood. By correct analysis, remedy, and dietary administration, these affected by gout can discover aid and forestall future flare-ups.
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