Natural Health: The pain in your big toe could be gout 

Plus: natural remedies for chronic gastritis

Pic: iStock

I’m in my mid-40s and exercise six days a week between running and gym classes. About three months ago, the big toe on my right foot started to ache. I’m taking ibuprofen to ease the pain. Is there a natural remedy I could take?

What you describe sounds like gout. While it falls under the umbrella of being an arthritic-type condition, it is triggered by excessive uric acid in the bloodstream, and the symptoms can be easily managed through dietary changes.