Q: My uric acid levels are high and is varying between 6.4 to 7.9 for the last 3 years. I am a vegetarian and my diet is quite less, mainly consisting of chapatis and vegetables. I do not indulge in smoking, drinking or chewing pan. I walk for 5 to 7 kms every day. Otherwise I am quite healthy. Recently I developed knee pain and pain near the left toe and I am advised zyloric tablet three times a day by an orthopaedic surgeon. I want to avoid taking tablets for lifetime. Please advise me what I should eat as also changes in my lifestyle including the right type of exercises to control this ailment.

A:High uric acid or gout is a metabolic disease and external factors may not have effect. You have to avoid following: a) palak, beans, dried peas, mushroom b) lentils like rajmah, lobia, arhar dal c) too much of condiments and spices and d) excess coffee You must control your weight; take some advice from a physiotherapist for regular exercise you should follow.