Jean
I will admit I received notice of this person's response by e-mail and perhaps someone has already addressed this: Gout is very related to diet. It is caused by uric acid which is a by-product of certain foods. Some foods to avoid are anchovies, asparagus, herring, meat gravies and broths, mushrooms, mussels, sardines, sweetbreads, and all meats are very high in uric acid. Alcohol increases the production of uric acid. Fried foods can destroy vitamin E which increases uric acid. Losing weight when overweight can decrease uric acid levels, but a crash diet can increase levels. Things that can help decrease uric acid are alfalfa, cherries, strawberries, and all pure forms of fruit and vegetable juices help. Polyunsaturated fats such as flaxseed, grape seed, or black currant seed oil are needed create a balance of fatty acids. Adding vitamins A, E, C, and the B complex vitamins can help reduce gout symptoms if there is not enough in your diet.