I recently had a bad attack of gout, which affected my right toe. Is there anything I can do, diet-wise?

Gout is a form of arthritis; raised uric acid levels result in inflammation in the joints, notably the big toe. Alcohol (especially red wine) increases uric acid, and high purine foods (offal, herring, sardines, mackerel and shellfish) prevent the kidneys from fully eliminating uric acid, so avoid them both. Favour complex carbohydrates, fresh vegetables, fruit (especially ones that contain the flavonoids proanthocyanidins such as cherries, blueberries and other dark red/blue berries). Drink plenty of water as this supports the kidneys and promotes the excretion of uric acid.

For six weeks I've had unpleasant changes affecting my senses of smell and taste. My sweat and others' smells acrid, and house cleaners and conditioners smell musty. Many foods, especially sweet peppers and fruit, taste slightly mouldy. What is wrong?

In Chinese medicine, these symptoms are related to heat and damp in the spleen. However, as both smell and taste are affected, there may be a problem in the lung and spleen. Consult an acupuncturist (British Acupuncture Council, 020-8735 0400) or a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner (Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, www.rchm.co.uk). Also, try using tea-tree toothpaste.

Send your questions to Wellbeing, Guardian Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Email: weekend@theguardian.com