Feel the Burn
FOOT FACT:
You may be thinking to yourself that pain is pain….right?...wrong!
A burning pain in the legs & feet could signal nerve damage (neuropathy). Damaged nerves send constant misfired signals to your brain triggering burning sensations of pain. Diabetes is the most common culprit… but alcoholism, Vitamin B12 deficiency and heavy metal poisoning are some other causes that can hold your feet to the fire.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
New Year, New You: 4 Tips to Improve Yourself From Head to Toe
The ball has dropped, you’ve popped the cork, and partied the night away! It is officially a new year! But as we give a big ol’ hey y’all to 2016, here are 4 tips you should keep in mind while striving to become a New You in the New Year!
PARTY SMARTY
Whether you have been “cuttin’ a rug” to bring in the new year or have made that all-too-familiar new year’s resolution of finally shedding those unwanted pounds, the bottom line is that your feet take quite a licking. To reward your tired twosomes, it is always a good idea to keep them in tip-top shape. You can’t go wrong with soaking, scrubbing, and moisturizing!
RESOLUTION SOLUTION
As a new year arrives, so come the countless new year’s resolutions…and leading the way for the most common is…you guessed it…WEIGHT LOSS! Studies show that the average American gains up to 10lbs during the holiday season. But while we make these promises to shed our holiday spread, finding the perfect pair of “sneaks” is an absolute must for any successful workout routine.
EAT SWELL
Shedding those excess pounds is only half the battle to obtain AND maintain good health. A vitamin-rich diet matched with routine exercise is the perfect one-two punch for a healthy new you!
BOTTOMS UP
It is no secret how beneficial water is for our bodies. Drinking the recommended 9 glasses per day gives your body a much better chance in fighting such conditions as joint pain and relaxing those cramping achy muscles-just to name a few. It can also be quite helpful to prevent hangovers. Excess alcohol that is consumed dehydrates the body and contributes to the crummy, not-so-good feelings felt the morning after. Consuming water before, during, and after a night of drinking will work wonders. Cheers!
So here’s to 2015!!!!
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Putting your best FEET forward,SH
It’s Easy as 1, 2, 3:Essential Vitamins for Fit, Healthy Feet (Part 2)
…and now back to class. It’s time to learn the rest of your ABC’s of healthy feet!
Vitamin D[Ergocalciferol(vitamin D2),Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)]
Benefits: Calcium gets most of the credit for the development of strong healthy bones, but it’s vitamin D- specifically D3- that allows our bodies to absorb and utilize calcium. In terms of the feet, stress fractures and overuse injuries can be minimized with this vitamin in our dietary arsenal.
Source: Sunlight, fortified dairy products, eggs, salmon, mackerel, vitamin supplement
Attention: Athletes, runners, dancers, children, postmenopausal women, elderly, diabetics
Oh by the way: Wearing sunscreen can prevent absorption of vitamin D from sunlight. However, going without sunscreen can be damaging to the skin against the sun’s harmful rays (Skin cancer…I think NOT). Therefore, a sound diet may be the best approach to receive your supply of vitamin D. Fat-soluble.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Benefits: Gimme an E! This wonderful nutrient functions to do away with those pesky free radicals. Together with vitamins A & C, your feet maintain healthy skin, preventing invasion of fungus, viruses, and bacteria!
Source: Almonds, leafy green vegetables, olive oil, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, vitamin supplement
Attention: Diabetics, beach-goers
Oh by the way: Studies have shown that vitamin E contributes to fighting heart disease and plaque formation in arteries, although results are not conclusive. Fat-soluble.
Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
Benefits: Known for blood clot formation, vitamin K fights excessive bleeding from punctures and other open wounds. Walking barefoot?...Think twice!... Shoeless feet are highly prone to stepping on foreign objects- rocks, glass, nails, and twigs, among others. Vitamin K is also capable of strengthening bones.
Source: Spinach, turnip greens, cabbage, broccoli, kale
Attention: Burn victims, diabetics, beach-goers, athletes, postmenopausal women
Oh by the way: People- with a history of heart disease or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) - who take blood thinners (such as Coumadin [Warfarin] or even aspirin) may be advised by their physician to minimize their intake of vitamin K, to prevent formation of blood clots in the bloodstream. Fat-soluble.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
It’s Easy as 1, 2, 3:Essential Vitamins for Fit, Healthy Feet (Part 1)
Who can forget learning their ABC’s as a kid? From A to Z, we utilize the building blocks of communication that allow us to speak, read, and write. But allow us to introduce you to a new set of ABC’s……the ABC’s of healthy feet!
Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinoid)
Benefits: Known to develop keen eyesight and smoothing under eye wrinkles, vitamin A works wonders to keep the rough areas of the feet silky smooth. Acting as a safeguard during the winter months- against cracked heels- and a protector of sun damaged feet during the summer months (yikes!), vitamin A is an absolute must-have to revive tissues, scrapes, lesions, and wounds of the feet.
Source: Carrots, liver, paprika, sweet potatoes, leafy green vegetables, topical lotions/creams
Attention: Diabetics, beach-goers, people with psoriasis
Oh by the way: Vitamin A is classified as fat-soluble, meaning: 1) it travels from the fat, 2) into the bloodstream (to be used by the body) 3) and the excess IS stored in the liver; daily supply is NOT required in diet.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin)
Benefits: Numbness, burning, and tingling of the feet BEGONE with this B vitamin. Found to develop and maintain nerve conduction, vitamin B12 is essential from head-to-toe. A healthy nervous system enables our feet to maintain balance and sensation (for touching). Listen up diabetics!!......this vitamin is for you!
Source: Clams, fortified cereals/whole grains, milk, eggs, poultry, vitamin supplement or injection
Attention: Vegans, vegetarians, diabetics, the elderly, people with gastrointestinal surgery
Oh by the way: Nutrient is not found in plants NATURALLY- plants can be fortified with the nutrient, however; daily recommended amounts can be received via vitamin supplement. Classified as water-soluble, vitamin B12 dissolves directly in the bloodstream and is NOT stored in the body; excess is eliminated in the urine; a continuous daily supply IS needed in our diet.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Benefits: Free-radicals don’t stand a chance against vitamin C. As a notable antioxidant, vitamin C plays a key role in the production of collagen, helping to keep the skin firm and strong. Hangnails and ingrown toenails?……..That’s ok! Vitamin C has got you covered.
Source: Oranges, spinach, brussels sprouts, green pepper, grapefruit, topical lotion/creams
Attention: Diabetics, beach-goers
Oh by the way: May alleviate the effects of sun damaged skin- sun spots and hyperpigmentation to name a few. Water-soluble.
** Don't go too far...Come on back for Part 2!!!!!!!!!!! **
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Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
