Actor Anthony Anderson recently revealed his gout diagnosis after consuming excessive amounts of shellfish while filming in New Orleans. The 54-year-old star shared his painful experience on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast on April 28, 2025, detailing how what he initially thought was a broken toe turned out to be something much more complex.
How Shellfish in New Orleans Led Anthony Anderson to a Painful Gout Flare-Up
During the podcast episode, Anderson recounted the moment he first experienced symptoms while filming what was likely his 2007 crime drama K-Ville, which was set in New Orleans. “I was living in New Orleans for a while, shooting a show there,” Anderson told Shepard. “I was eating nothing but seafood and shellfish.”
The pivotal moment came during a scene where Anderson had to kick in a door. “All the purine in the shellfish contributed to my buildup of uric acid and – I’ll never forget – I was in the scene, and I went to kick a door in,” he explained. “And I hit it. And I said, ‘I think I broke my toe.'”
What Anderson didn’t realize at the time was that his pain wasn’t from a fracture but from a gout flare-up. The condition worsened when they moved to film at a hotel later that night. Anderson described how he was lying across a bed when the director called “Action,” requiring him to jump up and chase a perpetrator. When he put pressure on his right foot, he collapsed in pain, further convincing himself that he had broken his toe.
Anderson Surprising Diagnosis
The next day, Anderson visited a doctor, still convinced he had broken his toe from kicking the door. However, the medical professionals were skeptical of his self-diagnosis. “They’re looking at it like, ‘I don’t think you broke your toe,'” Anderson recalled. “I said, ‘Yeah, no, I think I broke my toe.’ They’re like, ‘You might have the gout.’ I was like, ‘No, ain’t got the gout.'”
To humor Anderson, the doctor ordered an X-ray, which revealed the truth. The doctor delivered the news with a touch of humor: “We got good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?” When Anderson chose the good news, the doctor informed him that his toe wasn’t broken. The bad news? He indeed had gout.
Understanding Gout: A Painful Reality
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis associated with elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid levels rise too high, crystals can form in the joints, causing intense pain and swelling. This condition often affects the big toe but can also impact other joints like knees, ankles, and elbows, making them feel tender, warm, and swollen.
The pain from gout can be excruciating, as Anderson vividly described: “If you look at it, it looks red hot. If you put your hand above it, you can feel the heat coming off of it.” This description aligns with typical gout symptoms, where affected joints can become so inflamed that even the lightest touch can cause unbearable pain.
Anderson’s experience highlights a well-established link between diet and gout. Uric acid is a normal waste product formed from the breakdown of food, particularly compounds called purines. Certain foods high in purines can trigger gout attacks or worsen symptoms in those already experiencing the condition.
Shellfish, which Anderson was consuming in abundance during his time in New Orleans, is known to be high in purines. When purines break down, they “form a substance called uric acid,” as Verywell Health explains. “High levels of uric acid can cause gout.” Other seafood that can trigger gout includes anchovies, sardines, scallops, trout, tuna, and mussels.
Risk Factors and Complications
While diet plays a significant role in gout development, other factors can increase susceptibility. Anderson’s type 2 diabetes likely contributed to his condition, as people with diabetes are more at risk of developing gout. Additional risk factors include being overweight, consuming alcohol (particularly beer), and certain medications.
Recent research has also suggested that not all seafood affects gout equally. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition in April 2023 found that seafood rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) might not increase gout risk as much as seafood poor in these beneficial fats. This nuanced understanding of the relationship between seafood consumption and gout risk is still evolving.
Managing Gout Through Diet and Treatment
For Anderson and others suffering from gout, treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory medicines, over-the-counter painkillers, and dietary modifications. Avoiding high-purine foods is crucial for preventing future attacks. These foods include:
- Red meats (beef, lamb, pork, and bacon)
- Organ meats (liver, tripe, sweetbreads, brains, and kidney)
- Certain seafood (anchovies, sardines, scallops, trout, tuna, and mussels)
Maintaining proper hydration is also important, as dehydration may be a risk factor for gout. Drinking 1-1.5 liters of fluids daily is recommended for general health benefits, though individuals with heart or kidney problems should consult their doctor about appropriate fluid intake.
Weight management through balanced healthy eating and regular physical activity can help lower uric acid levels and reduce the risk of gout attacks. However, rapid weight loss through fasting or crash dieting should be avoided, as these approaches can actually increase uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks.
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Anthony Anderson’s experience serves as a reminder of how dietary choices can significantly impact our health, sometimes in unexpected and painful ways. His willingness to share his story brings attention to gout, a condition that affects millions but is often misunderstood. Through proper diagnosis, treatment, and dietary management, those suffering from gout can find relief and prevent future flare-ups.
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