While seemingly unrelated, what you can eat can actually affect the condition of your feet. Certain foods can impact your foot health considerably, potentially even leading you to visit a podiatrist to address your concerns. Contrarily, however, consuming the right types of nutrients can have a positive impact on your podiatric well-being. Here’s what you need to know.

How Nutrition Affects Your Feet

Many people suffer from foot inflammation. It often occurs in response to an injury as the body’s natural means of protecting itself. But chronic inflammation could result from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout, both of which can cause significant pain.

Refined foods enriched with sugars, trans fats, saturated fats, and omega-6 fats are all known to increase inflammation, thus aggravating your symptoms. Inflammation can also cause plantar fasciitis, a common condition that creates intense pain at the bottom of the foot or the heel.

Podiatrists typically recommend rest and painkillers, but more intensive methods may be necessary if the pain doesn’t respond to traditional treatment. Proper nutrition is also of prime importance to diabetics, who are more susceptible to developing foot problems.

Eating the right foods can assist in wound healing, which is critical for diabetics who suffer from fungal infections, cracked skin, ulcers, blisters, and sores, as well as neuropathy, which causes tingling and numbness.

What to Eat for Healthier Feet

Eating the right foods can make all the difference to your foot health. It’s critical to avoid inflammatory foods that might otherwise lead you to the podiatrist’s office.

Replace those that exist in your diet with friendlier alternatives designed to minimize inflammation in the body. Whole grains, beans, nuts, and legumes are all excellent, filling choices that contribute to a healthier body.

To further combat inflammation, increase your intake of foods enriched with vitamin C. The antioxidant is known for its ability to eradicate free radicals in the body, which means there’s less opportunity for your cells and tissues to suffer damage. Citrus fruits, broccoli, and bell peppers are all excellent sources.

Replacing red meats with lean ones is a fantastic idea for overall health that also benefits your feet. Finally, if you’re a diabetic, increasing your vitamin B intake is a smart choice for minimizing symptoms of neuropathy. Foods like cottage cheese, eggs, and salmon are all suitable.

If you’re concerned about your foot health, let Dr. Eric D. Trattner in Twinsburg, OH, help. The podiatrist is committed to providing state-of-the-art care so you can find relief quickly. He treats everything from bunions, corns, and callouses to heel and arch pain. To find out more about how he can help you, visit the website or call (440) 333-5350 to schedule an appointment.