Chronic conditions that cause foot problems can be managed with the help of a healthy diet. Eating certain foods can reduce the risk for inflammation, and other diseases that can affect your feet.

Can nutrition play a role in the development and treatment of foot conditions? When most people think about nutrition and health, they typically associate the food that they eat with weight management or heart health. But diet plays many important roles in overall health, and can affect different parts of the body, even our feet. It is important to understand that your feet are connected to the rest of your body, and what you put into your body is what makes up your body.

Inflammation, Diet, and Your Feet

Medical research suggests that what we eat can affect inflammation in the body, which is a risk factor for many chronic conditions. Inflammation is a common cause of foot pain associated with types of inflammatory arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. It can also strike the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, causing the intense heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

Many common foods are believed to encourage inflammation, such as the refined grains, sugar, and trans fats in baked goods and junk foods; the saturated fat in red meat; and the omega-6 fats found in many commonly used vegetable oils, such as corn, soybean, and sunflower oils, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

People may also develop increased levels of inflammation in their bodies due to chronic allergies to common foods such as wheat. Another dietary factor that can contribute to inflammation is eating too many foods that cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, such as sweets, white flour, and pasta. A healthy diet with anti-inflammatory benefits is rich in green vegetables and other fresh plant foods and eliminates refined grain foods and sugary treats.

Osteoporosis, Diet, and Your Feet

Many chronic conditions that affect the feet can be better managed by eating right. One such condition is osteoporosis, a disease of progressive bone loss. Osteoporosis is associated with an increased risk of fractures, and one of the first signs of the disease is often a stress fracture in the foot. Increasing your dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D can decrease the risk of a fracture, as can other lifestyle changes like regular exercise.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are among the best dietary sources of calcium. But remember that saturated fats, which are found in full-fat dairy products, are on the list of things that can increase inflammation. You can also get dietary calcium from some green vegetables; and many products such as certain cereals, breads, and juices contain added calcium. Vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium, can be found in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, and tuna.

Peripheral Artery Disease and Your Feet

Two common conditions that affect millions of feet are peripheral artery disease and diabetes. These conditions can damage arteries that bring blood to your lower extremities. One of the ways peripheral artery disease (PAD) is diagnosed, is by comparing the blood pressure in your feet to the blood pressure in your arms. This test, known as an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI), determines how well blood is flowing. Common symptoms of peripheral artery disease may include discomfort in the muscles of your feet. In severe cases, patients have extreme pain, or tingling in the feet or toes.

Diabetes, Diet, and Your Feet

Like peripheral artery disease, diabetes can cause many types of foot problems, from skin changes, to nerve damage, or neuropathy. According to the National Institutes of Health, as much as 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. Symptoms may include burning pain, tingling, or numbness in the feet.

An estimated 1 out of every 3 persons with diabetes over age 50, also has peripheral artery disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. A healthy diet is one of the keys to controlling blood sugar levels and managing your diabetes. A diabetes diet, like any healthy eating plan, means eating fibre-rich fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and moderate amounts of whole grains and healthy fats.

Weight, Diet, and Your Feet

Weight is not the only factor however, given your feet bear the weight of your entire body; it’s not surprising that being overweight can lead to foot problems. Excess body weight increases your chances of a variety of painful conditions in the feet. Besides the other benefits of a healthy diet, weight management can help avoid or manage conditions affecting the feet. “Even 25 extra pounds can tip the scales to more problems in the back, foot and ankle.”

When discomfort and pain start to occur, it is time to review your lifestyle. You should visit your doctor or podiatrist, and dietician / nutritionist for professional advice, on the way forward to a healthier you.

Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!