Essential Vitamins and Nutrients for Your Feet

The solution for many common foot problems such as dryness, redness, cracked heels, foot odor, as well as pain and inflammation in the feet, lies in providing your body with the essential nutrients and vitamins it requires. Deficiencies of certain vitamins can cause many foot conditions which maybe treated effectively by taking supplemental minerals and vitamins. In this article we will suggest some essential nutrients and vitamins that are necessary for good foot health.

Simply put, Vitamins B, C, D, E, calcium, and magnesium, are considered essential for your feet. Which vitamins can help burning feet? Which vitamins are good for foot pain? Which vitamins and minerals can treat heel pain? Which nutrients give you healthy feet? For answers to such questions, keep reading.

Nutrients to Maintain Good Foot Health

• Vitamin C is believed to help prevent painful hangnails and can reduce inflammation. itamin C is stored in the skin cells and is one of the key antioxidants believed to protect the skin against environmental damage. It also helps the skin retain moisture and fights free radicals, which in turn  is helpful to combat aging and dryness.
  
• Bioflavonoids are another set of  antioxidants and have anti-allergic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent a whole host of issues. 
  
• Research suggests that B vitamins can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with  neuropathy as they promote healthy functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy, the treatment of which often includes the intake of vitamins B1, B6, and B12.
  
• The deficiency of vitamin B1 may lead to edema, causing tingling, burning and pain in the feet. Thus, an adequate intake of this vitamin may reduce the symptoms of edema.
   
• Vitamin B6 deficiency has been linked  to pain, tingling and burning in the feet. Consuming the right amounts of this vitamin through either natural foods or supplements is critical to maintain foot health.
  
• The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause ”pins and needles” in the feet, and may also lead to burning, tingling and pain in the feet. Vitamin B12 prevents nerve damage and alleviates symptoms like numbness, prickling and pain, which is why it is a vitamin essential for good foot health.
  
• Vitamin B3 (niacin) works like another powerful  antioxidant and helps prevent dry, scaly skin.
  
• Vitamin B7 also known as biotin, helps to strengthen toenails and prevents them breaking and peeling. Biotin also helps improve the skins appearance. It moisturizes the skin and thus helps fight dryness. This is why its taking supplements or eating foods high in biotin is essential for maintaining overall skin and hair health and appearance.
  
• Cracked, flaky heels which may sometimes bleed, are a result of aging and excessive dryness of the skin. Vitamin E is another antioxidant that protects the skin and prevents the signs of  early aging. 
  
• Collagen is one of the essential building blocks of the skin’s structure and helps it from sagging and gives it a fresh, healthy appearance. It keeps the skin smooth and firm and helps the skin cells renew and repair themselves. It is a protein found abundantly in the skin (dermis layer) and is created naturally by the body but its generation decreases with growing age. Foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids help in increasing the levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body.
  
• Minerals that can improve the health of your feet mainly include calcium and magnesium. A good daily intake of calcium can help against heel spurs. Magnesium is instrumental in the proper absorption of calcium by the body. Hence magnesium also helps against heel spurs. Magnesium and calcium aid in managing conditions like plantar fasciitis and in maintaining good foot health.
  
• Proteins and omega-3 fatty acids help in reducing chronic inflammation of the feet.

How to Take Care of Your Feet

Feet bear the weight of your body and take you everywhere, which is why the skin of your feet requires some daily pampering and care. Your basic daily foot care routine should include the following.

• Clean your feet with warm water daily. Scrub them intermittently to remove the dead skin so as to avoid foot problems like cracks and calluses.
• Moisturize your feet with a cream or lotion.
• Keep your toenails clean and properly trimmed. Smoothen the corners of your toenails so that the nails do not grow into your skin.
• Check your feet for wounds, sores, or signs of infection. If you are experiencing symptoms of any foot condition or if your feet are excessively dry, rough or cracked, consult a doctor or podiatrist to take the right treatment.
• Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes. Avoid wearing socks or shoes for a long time, since this keeps your feet moist and increases the possibility of infection. Let the skin of your feet breathe and always keep your feet clean.

Common Foot Problems and How to Manage Them

For corns and calluses, scrubbing your feet, using corn pads and applying salicylic acid can help. To prevent this foot problem, wearing comfortable footwear is recommended.

Maintaining cleanliness of the feet, using an antibacterial soap or ointment, and wearing well-fitting shoes can help fight sweaty feet and prevent foot odor.

Athlete’s foot, another common foot health condition, is caused by fungal infection on the feet. An antifungal cream or soap may help in treating this condition, and washing your feet daily and keeping them dry can help prevent athlete’s foot. If you see that after treating with an over the counter medication, the condition is not getting better, it may be time to go see the doctor and get a prescription strength treatment.

To keep most of the common foot problems at bay, maintaining good foot hygiene is of utmost importance along with getting  a well balanced diet high in vitamins and antioxidants discussed.

Foot Care Products Packed with Vitamins and Essential Nutrients

Following a balanced diet is necessary for the health of your feet and for overall health. With our busy lives, this is sometimes easier said than done. Alternatives including taking nutritional supplements to ensure your body has what it needs to take good care of you. 

STRIDE could be your one-stop shop to buy some wonderful foot care products that have been developed and clinically tested by one of the top dermatologists in the country. What’s more, you can get them at fine online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart.com and getmystride.com. Buy a STRIDE foot product that suits you best and let your feet soak in the nutrition they require; isn’t that an easy way to happy feet and a happy you?