We all know that sugar intake should be limited, even when that last row of Oreos in the bag call out to us. We hear how it’s bad for our teeth and bad for our waistlines, but how often do we hear of the connections between sugar and foot pain? In addition to extra weight adding more pressure to your feet, sugar can also play a role in neuropathy and inflammation, as well as a whole host of other preventable illnesses and problems. Time for a crash course on nutrition for your feet!

When problems with sugar come up, most people immediately think of diabetes. A high level of sugar in the blood causes damage to the blood vessels that supply the nerves over time, effectively damaging the nerves by starving them of sustenance. This is felt most in the extremities such as the feet, where the circulatory system already has to perform more to reach. Diabetic neuropathy can be felt as a numbness, burning, or tingling in the feet and can make it difficult to detect injuries to the feet before they grow infected.

But too much sugar intake isn’t just bad news for diabetics. Even seemingly unrelated symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, inflammation, and more can be sugar-related. Refined sugar seems especially troublesome in this regard, but don’t forget that sugar exists in plenty of things we don’t really think of as “sweet,” too. Carbohydrate-heavy foods such as pasta and white flour can cause spikes in blood sugar levels as well.

Sugar may not always be the sole culprit in causing foot pain, but reducing the amount in your diet will almost certainly have positive effects on your feet and health overall. If you suffer from pain, contact Dr. Robert Parker and the staff of Parker Foot & Ankle. Dr. Parker is one of the most highly trained peripheral nerve surgeons in the country, and he can find the source of your discomfort and recommend the right choices and treatments for relief. Call our Houston office at (281) 497-2850.