Plantar fasciitis is pain and inflammation in your plantar fascia, a long, thin ligament that is designed to act as a shock absorber for the strain you place in your feet. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that excessive pressure on your plantar fascia may damage or tear these tissues, causing inflammation, heel pain and sole stiffness. Plantar fascia most commonly affects men between the ages of 40 and 70 who engage in regular physical activity. Nutritional therapies may help treat this health problem, although consult your physician first.
Plantar Fasciitis Nutrition
There are several nutritional strategies that may be helpful in treating your plantar fasciitis, especially the inflammation and pain that is commonly associated with this condition. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," to help reduce inflammation throughout your body, including your plantar fascia, you may benefit from consuming a diet composed of 75 percent raw foods. Eating plenty of foods high in flavonoids, especially blueberries or bilberries and spinach, as well as pineapples and papaya may help reduce swelling and inflammation. Cold-water fish such as mackerel, herring and salmon may provide you with essential fatty acids that are important for healing.
Pineapples and Papaya
Fresh pineapples and papaya contain important enzymes the help digest protein and reduce swelling and inflammation in your body. Pineapple possesses a mixture of proteolytic enzymes while papaya possesses an enzyme known as papain. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that proteolytic enzymes help decrease the bruising, swelling, pain and healing time caused by musculoskeletal health problems. Papain, notes Britannica.com, is found in the roots, leaves and fruit of the papaya plant and may be particularly useful in treating swelling and other health conditions.
Spinach
Spinach may be one of the most helpful foods in treating inflammation in your body, including planter fascia-related inflammation. Spinach, notes Balch, is an excellent source of flavonoids, or substances that act as antioxidants, which are beneficial for your health. There are at least 12 unique flavonoid compounds in spinach that serve as both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. Spinach has been used to help treat numerous ailments, including inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular problems and certain bone-related conditions.
Nutritional Supplementation
Although nutritional supplements have long been used in treating planter fasciitis, some supplements may require further scientific scrutiny to determine their effectiveness in treating this condition. Helpful anti-inflammatory supplements, notes Balch, include vitamin E, selenium, cat's claw, beta-1,3-D-glucan, silica, bromelain and essential fatty acids. Bromelain, states the University of Maryland Medical Center, possesses anti-inflammatory action and is commonly used in treating inflammatory conditions and the swelling, inflammation and pain that often accompanies musculoskeletal injuries or problems.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bromelain
- Britannica.com: Papain
