Did you know that you have 33 joints in each of your feet? That’s a good reason for us at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC to recognize National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis afflicts nearly 54 million adults and 300,000 youth in our country. It is the top cause of disability. Protecting the health of the joints in your feet and ankles is an important component of living an active life. Food choices can play a big role in both preventing and reducing arthritis symptoms.

Weighty Matters

One significant way you can help prevent arthritis and also lessen the pain it causes in your feet and ankles is by maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight puts extra strain on the joints of your lower extremities and can accelerate the degeneration of the cartilage that cushions the joints. It’s also easier to be active and participate in fitness and sports activities if you are at a healthy weight. This, in turn, also improves joint health by helping to maintain flexibility and range of motion.

Building Bone Strength

Increasing bone strength is beneficial for your joints. Getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D (which is necessary for calcium absorption) in your diet is essential. Low-fat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and milk are all excellent sources. If you are lactose intolerant, you can also look to get your calcium from leafy greens and fortified juices and cereals.

Fighting Inflammation

There are several kinds of food that have been found to have the ability to help fight inflammation and reduce an inflammatory response in the body. These include: fish high in omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon and mackerel, olive oil, cherries, strawberries and avocado, to name a few. Talk to your doctor about which foods may best help you if you are suffering from joint disease.

Treatments for arthritis are most successful when they begin in the earliest stages of the disease. If you start to experience joint pain or other symptoms in your feet or ankles like stiffness, swelling or difficulty bending or flexing a joint, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will evaluate your feet and ankles and determine the source of your symptoms, as well as the best treatment.

 

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416