Anthony Anderson, best known for his role in Black-ish, recently opened up about a painful health scare that took him by surprise — and it all started with a plate of seafood. During an appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, the actor shared how a steady diet of New Orleans cuisine, particularly shellfish, led to a painful case of gout in his big toe.
A Seafood-Induced Setback
While filming in New Orleans, likely for the 2007 series K-Ville, Anderson admitted that his food choices were far from balanced. “I was eating nothing but seafood and shellfish,” he confessed. At the time, it seemed like he was simply indulging in the city’s rich culinary culture. However, beneath the delicious flavours of crab, scallops, and shrimp, trouble was brewing.
He recalled a moment during filming when he attempted to kick in a door for a scene. “I hit it, and I said, ‘I think I broke my toe,’” he said. The pain was so sharp and sudden, he was convinced it was a fracture. But what he didn’t realise at the time was that this was his body reacting to something far more complex.
Gout: The Culprit Behind the Pain
Anderson would later find out that what he believed was a broken toe was actually gout — a form of arthritis triggered by high levels of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid builds up, it can form sharp crystals in the joints, most commonly in the big toe. The result is excruciating pain, swelling, and inflammation.
“I collapsed when I tried to run in a scene later that night,” Anderson said. “I thought I had seriously injured myself.” But the diagnosis took a surprising turn when doctors ruled out a fracture and instead pointed to gout as the cause of his pain.
The Link Between Shellfish and Gout
Gout has many potential causes, but diet plays a major role, especially foods high in purines. Purines are compounds found in certain foods that, when broken down, turn into uric acid. Shellfish like crab and scallops are particularly high in purines, and consuming them in large amounts can spike uric acid levels dramatically.
According to health experts, people with existing conditions like type 2 diabetes, which Anderson has, are at even greater risk of developing gout. In fact, Verywell Health notes that eating high-purine foods in large quantities increases the risk of recurring gout attacks nearly fivefold.
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Diagnosis and Reality Check
After limping to a doctor, Anderson pushed for an X-ray, still convinced he had broken something. “They humoured me with the scan,” he joked. The results, however, told a different story. “They said, ‘You didn’t break your toe — but you have gout,’” he recalled. “I was like, ‘You motherf----.’”
Anderson described the affected area as visibly red and hot to the touch. “You could feel the heat radiating off of it,” he said. For someone who thought he’d simply injured himself on set, the diagnosis was a surprising wake-up call.
Managing Gout: What Anderson — and Others — Can Do
Treatment for gout typically involves anti-inflammatory medications and over-the-counter pain relief. But perhaps most importantly, managing the condition requires dietary changes. For Anderson, that meant rethinking his love of shellfish.
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Doctors recommend limiting or avoiding high-purine foods such as organ meats, red meat, and — yes — shellfish. Staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy weight are also crucial for preventing future flare-ups.
A Lesson in Health and Moderation
Anderson’s story is a relatable cautionary tale. Even the most enjoyable foods can have serious consequences when consumed in excess, especially for those with underlying health conditions. His experience serves as a reminder that listening to your body, even when the symptoms seem unrelated to your diet, can be life-changing.
While he may have been caught off guard by gout, Anderson now has a better understanding of his body’s needs — and a newfound respect for moderation when it comes to seafood.