Improve Foot Health by Improving Your Diet

When it comes to improving health by improving your diet, there's no secret trick. A simple diet of minimally processed foods in reasonable portions is best, especially when combined with 30-60 minutes of daily exercise. A proper diet promotes overall health and wellbeing while reducing your risk of almost every possible chronic illness, including cardiac disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 

A proper diet even offers benefits for your feet!  When it comes to the relationship between diet and foot health, the evidence is in. Eat foods that will promote strong, healthy bones while avoiding foods that lead to painful inflammation in the muscles and tendons. All you need is some education and a trip to the grocery store and you'll be stepping on the path toward eating right for foot health.

Increase: Foods Containing Omega-3 Fats

Omega-3 fats can reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the feet. You can find these healthy fats in foods including flax seeds, walnuts, sardines, beef, soybeans and tofu, and fatty fish including shrimp.

Increase: Calcium and Vitamin D

Your body uses calcium to build and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, so you will often find the two combined in supplements. Calcium is essential during all life phases:

Building bone mass is important during childhood. People who don't get enough calcium during this time are at higher risk for bone issues or even fractures in later years.

Women experience gradual bone loss during and after menopause. Sufficient calcium helps to maintain bone quality.

Appropriate dietary calcium intake lowers the risk of a fracture in older people with osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Find calcium and vitamin D in dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese; sardines with bones; and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens.

Reduce: Foods that Lead to Inflammation

Refined grains, sugars and trans fats contain chemicals that lead to and exacerbate tissue and joint inflammation, causing pain and discomfort in your feet. Promote foot health by always choosing whole grain products and reducing your sugar consumption as much as possible. Remember that fresh foods are always better for you than items made in a factory!

Reduce: Sodium Levels and Salt Consumption

Sodium is the primary mineral found in salt. It's also found in all manner of pre-packaged foods. Excessive sodium intake leads to high blood pressure, causing water retention and swelling. Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet by avoiding processed foods. Cut back on the amount of salt you add while cooking and take that salt shaker off the table. Your feet and ankles will thank you!

Here at The Texas Foot Specialists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum provide expert and specialized care to address all of your foot and ankle needs. From conservative to advanced surgical treatments, you can always count on us for quality and compassionate care. Contact us online to make an appointment at one of our conveniently located offices in Sugar Land, Pasadena or Houston.