Generally
heel fissures affect the outer layer of the skin, but in severe cases
the internal layers of dermis can get affected too. The root cause of
all these heel problems can be traced to certain nutritional
deficiencies. Here we take a look at five key deficiencies – of vitamins
and minerals.
Vitamin A
When
it comes to promoting cell division and growth, vitamin A plays a key
role: consume more of green vegetables, milk, eggs, carrots and orange
to enrich your body with this important vitamin. Recommended daily
consumption for adult women is 700 mcg, and for adult men 900 mcg.
Vitamin C
Cracks
or wrinkles appear when free radicals begin destroying the structural
support of elastin and collagen to your skin. Start taking more of
citrus fruits and green vegetables to supplement your body with an
adequate dose of vitamin C. Recommended daily consumption of this
essential nutrient for different age groups of men and women ranges from
75 mg to 120 mg. Consumption of more than the recommended dose may lead
to some other problems.
Vitamin E
Vitamin
E serves almost the same purpose as vitamin C: it protects your skin
cells from the harmful effect of free radicals. It acts as a powerful
antioxidant, and can help keep the skin cells strong and smooth. Raise
your daily consumption of nuts, green vegetables, whole-grain products
and fortified cereals to replenish your body with more of vitamin E.
Regular recommended consumption of vitamin E is 15 mg per day.
Omega 3 Foods
Your
daily diet must contain a total of at least 4,000 milligrams of omega-3
fatty acid, in the form of salmon fish oil, cod liver oil, walnut,
herrings, flax seeds, tuna, white fish, egg yolk, sardines, anchovies,
etc. This is an important nutrient which assists your blood circulation.
Omega-3 can help heal wounds, enhance skin integrity and reduce
inflammation. Make sure that your diet contains all the three types of
omega-3 fatty acids.
Zinc
Your
body needs enzymes to improve the condition of skin cells, and zinc
provides exactly the same. Daily intake of Zinc can benefit your body in
multiple ways. It serves to keep your cells growing, and has a specific
wound-healing capacity.
Adding
zinc to your daily diet is not that tough, as there are many foods
which contain this essential mineral. Take more of red meat, oysters,
poultry products, whole grains and seafood to nourish your body with
this essential mineral. Daily recommended intake for adult men is 11 mg,
and for adult women 8 mg.
If
your body misses any of the above nutrients, your heel will register
the negative impact sooner rather than later. Do include these vitamins
and minerals in your daily diet, following the guidelines. If your
cracked heel continues to bother you even after revising your diet
chart, it is best to consult a podiatrist for specialized assistance.
