You'll NEVER guess what my Dr wants me to give up!

[Epacris]

Alcohol... nope, that's fine
Cigarettes... actually I don't smoke
Other drugs... nah
Cream buns and fizzy drinks... nope, they're OK

BROCCOLI

OK so some of you may remember my unexplained episode of gout last year (I thought I'd broken my foot but really I had drunk old man disease) now I have this unexplained swelling of the ankles which gets quite bad sometimes. I am yet to get all the tests so I don't have any real answers yet, I have the form I just have to find the time to go.

Well.... last night we were out to dinner with my family and my Uncle who is a Dr was there. He asked me how I was (as you do) and we were briefly chatting about my weird issues. When we were ordering dinner no one wanted vegetables except me, they were all happy with salad but I insisted we get veges as well. Then we were all talking about how much I love broccoli and how I eat it every day and that DH is a bit sick of it. Then my Uncle says well, that's your problem then, your kidneys are failing due to your constant ingestion of oxalate. STOP EATING BROCCOLI!

Sheesh, I am bit sad about this, actually I'm devastated, I LOVE broccoli and I seriously do eat it every day. Part of the reason why I love it so much is because I thought it was good for me. Don't worry I'll be getting all the tests and second and third opinions about this. But geez... broccoli... I didn't see that one coming that's for sure.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Far out man!

[Olive]

who would have though !!!

[sneakysparkle]

how bizarre! whoda thought?

[nic]

I'm glad I read that all the way to the end...I thought you were having some um...froggy bum troubles, when you said Broccoli What a chance conversation hey? Right place, right time, right person hey

[Stevie]

heh heh
that is a weird thing to have to give up LOL

[krysalyss]

Well I don't know much about humans but in wildlife it is a vegetable that I have been told to avoid for quite a few mammal species (when I was a zookeeper) because it can be toxic to them.

[Nettie]

...froggy bum troubles

BWAHAHAHAHAHA..

That absolutely cracked me up! I'm gonna remember that saying now!

Yes, broccoli can be high in some nutrients that if you get too much of, your body can't process. Like everything in life, it's good in moderation!

[*Beema*]

I certainly didn't expect that one!

[Trillian]

LOL, You've got gout :P I would never have thought broccoli would give it to you though. How long after stopping eating it before you improve?

[Visitor7]

I heard about this on a health show recently. I can't remember which show, but I've just googled it and found this: "... too much broccoli can cause hyperoxaluria, says Maurice A. Ramirez, DO, an emergency room physician and author of the soon-to-be-released book You Can Survive Anything, Anywhere, Every Time. "This is increased urinary excretion of oxalate caused by excessive intake of oxalate-containing foods (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc.) resulting in kidney stones," says Ramirez.

And this:
Broccoli is one of the richest vegetable sources of calcium, iron, sulfur and magnesium. Furthermore, broccoli is contains abundnat pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) and Vitamin A which may be very beneficial for wound healing and rough skin. Broccoli is a great source of Vitamin C, exceeding citrus.
It is important to note that broccoli has five goitrogenous chemicals which disrupt the body's ability to use iodine. It is important to limit or avoid in cases of thyroid deficency and low iodine.

It was really interesting what they were talking about on tv. If I remember, I'll let you know.

[onthefly]

Far out brussel sprout!

(does this mean you're an old soak...? Or are you really blaming it on the brocolli?)

[Kazbah]

man who'da thought it? How bizarre! I love brocolli & brussell sprouts ...

[Fleur]

wow!
That's really interesting.
And, Epacris, if it's true... I'm sorry you will have to cut back on your fave vege but at least you'll have an answer & will feel better

[Queen]

OMG who would have thunk it huh?

[Roryrory]

Rachel would you believe broccoli is one of the only things I can't tolerate in pregnancy? I never get/got morning sickness or other aversions but all 4 times I have been pg I have almost immediately gone off it!

[thepixie]

[Nelle]

Far out we're in trouble if the kids find out about this! 'No way mum, it'll give me gout!'.

I'm bummed for you Rach, but also really glad that your uncle was able to give you some insight that might really help you.