Tart cherry for gout flare-ups

I have a history of gout, which has permanently affected the big toe joint of my right foot. Theoretically, I should not be a gout victim: I weigh 140 pounds, eat a healthy vegan diet and exercise regularly. In my most recent few attacks my uric acid level was measured at 6. What suggestions can you offer?

A uric acid level of 6 is considered problematic for people with gout attacks. You may need a prescription medicine to get it into an acceptable range.

Another option may sound a little silly, but it has scientific support. Consider tart cherry supplements, either as juice or extract in capsules.

A systematic review of six trials found that people taking tart cherry juice or extract had fewer gout flare-ups and lower uric acid (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Dec. 4, 2019).

I take six to eight Tylenol Extra Strength tablets a day plus one Tylenol PM at night. Will there be any side effects from this?

You could be swallowing as much as 4,500 mg of acetaminophen daily.

The makers of Tylenol now state: “To help encourage the safe use of acetaminophen, the makers of TYLENOL have lowered the maximum daily dose for single-ingredient Extra Strength TYLENOL (acetaminophen) products sold in the U.S. from eight pills per day (4,000 mg) to six pills per day (3,000 mg). The dosing interval has also changed from two pills every four to six hours to two pills every six hours.” Because you have been exceeding the maximum dose for some time, we would encourage you to have your doctor check both liver and kidney function.