Fuel Your Feet: Essential Steps for National Nutrition Month
Sometimes, it’s not surgery, high-tech intervention, or medicine that makes the difference; increasingly, modern doctors are seeing that lifestyle changes can be incredibly impactful. So, for National Nutrition Month, the Foot and Ankle Associates of Cleveland want you to know what you can do to keep your lower extremities in tip-top shape via healthy eating.
Read on to learn more about key nutrients that are vital to keeping feet fit and fresh. Let’s kick things off with the building blocks: Healthy bones.
Building Strong Bones
- Calcium builds strong bones and is crucial for preventing fractures, especially in the feet. Load up on dairy products like milk and yogurt, and explore calcium-rich veggies like broccoli, kale, and leafy greens. Don’t forget nuts and seeds like almonds, chia seeds, and sesame seeds, too.
- Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, helps your body absorb calcium. However, while fatty fish like salmon or sardines offer some vitamin D, it’s tough to get enough from food alone. Consider safe sun exposure or talk to your podiatrist about a vitamin D supplement.
Beyond the Basics
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids are anti-inflammatory wonders found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. They help reduce foot pain and inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis and plantar fasciitis.
- Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, which can improve circulation and prevent foot problems related to poor blood flow. Eat bananas, avocados, and leafy greens for more of this mineral.
- Water is obviously key for overall health, but it’s especially important for your feet. Hydration keeps joints lubricated and helps to prevent skin issues like calluses and cracks.
Specific nutrients are nice, but don’t forget to eat a variety of healthy foods for overall well-being, too! For personalized advice, consult your podiatrist!
Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, Dr. Jim Swienconek, Dr. Rachel Robinson, and Dr. Courtney Yoder encourage you to eat a variety of foods to help your feet and ankles thrive. If you’re in pain, call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We treat patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg, too.
