A Poor Diet Can Hurt Your Feet
There are many conditions that can cause pain and discomfort in the feet and ankles that are the result of inflammation in the tissue, bones, ligaments, and tendons. This inflammation is worsened by certain foods when they are regularly included in your diet, increasing the likelihood of developing severe problems with your feet including plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, arthritis and arch pain.
Some foods that can contribute to overall inflammation and create problems such as diabetes include the following:
● Unhealthy oils—corn and sunflower oils contain high amounts of unhealthy fatty acids that have a propensity to increase inflammation in the tissues and joints.
● Junk food/prepared foods—these tend to have large amounts of sugar, trans-fat, and chemical additives, which increase the inflammatory response.
● Unhealthy carbohydrate consumption—pasta, cereals, cakes, and cookies can increase blood sugar levels and inflammation.
● Fatty proteins—including fatty meats, processed lunch meats, and other kinds of seafood often contain large amounts of saturated fat that can increase inflammation.
High blood sugar levels need to be kept in control since they can lead to constriction of the blood vessels and other complications such as foot ulcers. The resultant decrease in blood reaching the extremities often shows up initially as numbness, weakness, and inflammation in the feet and ankles.
Healthy Foods for Your Feet
Some of the foods that provide the nutrition your feet and the rest of your body need, without causing excessive inflammation include:
● Fresh fruits and vegetables
● Omega-3 rich foods such as salmon and tuna
● Lean meats such as chicken
● Beans and legumes, nuts and seeds
A history of consuming high amounts of sugar and refined grain foods will eventually lead to diabetes. If you are experiencing signs of diabetic foot problems such as pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling, it is important to see a foot specialist for the best care. We highly recommend that you consult our board-certified podiatrists Andrew Shapiro, DPM and Michael Barkin, DPM. With access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, we can assist you with heel pain, ankle sprains, diabetic foot care, toe deformities, nail fungus, and skin problems, among many other conditions. Our practice is conveniently located on West Merrick Road in Valley Stream to accommodate all of your foot care needs. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today!