Nutrition and Your Feet

When you think about nutrition and well-being, you probably think about your waistline or your strength. You probably don’t think about your feet.  Even though you use your feet every day, it’s easy to miss how your nutrition could be affecting them.

Inflammation
Inflammation is a part of your body’s natural healing process. Sometimes, inflammation can continue too long and begin to damage healthy tissue. Inflammation is a common source of foot pain and is associated with conditions like psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Certain foods may worsen inflammation, such as refined grains, sugar, trans fats, saturated fats and omega-6 fats. Instead, you may reduce inflammation by eating plenty of vegetables and fatty fish.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weaker and are more prone to fractures. One of the first signs of osteoporosis are stress fractures in the foot. Increasing your calcium and vitamin D intake may decrease your risk of developing bone fractures.

Dairy products are a great source of calcium but may also be high in saturated fats, which can contribute to inflammation. You can get calcium from leafy green vegetables like kale, collard greens and bok choy. Vitamin D can be found in fatty fish like mackerel, salmon and tuna.

Peripheral artery disease
Millions of Americans are affected by peripheral artery disease, which causes increased blood pressure in your feet. This can result in foot discomfort, tingling and sometimes pain.

A diet that’s low in saturated fat, trans fat and sodium but high in fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fats can reduce your risk.

Diabetes
Diabetes can cause a burning pain, tingling sensation or weakness in the feet. It’s estimated that 1 out of every 3 people with diabetes over 50 also have peripheral artery disease.

It’s crucial for those with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels by eating fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, lean protein and moderate amounts of whole grains and healthy fats.

Getting care
Depending on your condition, it’s not always clear where the best place is to get care. We’ve gathered all the ways members can get care in one convenient place so you can choose the right option. When you’re looking for quick treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, you can connect with a virtual doctor via telehealth. All you need is a phone or computer to get started.