Can nutrition play a role in the development and treatment of foot conditions?
Our diet is important for our overall health, and we often relate nutrition and health to weight management or heart health, but what we eat can also affect our foot health as well.
Making healthy choices in your diet can lower your risk of certain diseases, like heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and cancer, but eating a poor diet can also lead to chronic inflammation such as osteoarthritis and autoimmune diseases.
Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia, is a type of foot pain caused by inflammation. This injury can get worse when certain foods are consumed in excess, including:
Animal protein sources with too much-saturated fat, such as red meat
Prepared foods with refined grains, sugar, and trans-fats
White flour that you find in pasta, snacks, and desserts
Vegetable oils with a lot of omega-6 fats such as corn, soybean, and sunflower oils
These food groups can also aggravate other inflammation conditions like arthritis, heel spurs, and painful arches.
To reduce inflammation, practice following a balanced eating plan loaded with fresh vegetables and fruits. Other healthy foods you can add are:
• Protein sources like beans and legumes
• Omega-3 rich fish (like tuna and salmon
• Whole grains
• Lean meats
• Nuts and seeds
Your whole body – not just your feet! – will thank you!