The 5 Best Supplements for Plantar Fasciitis Sufferers

In recent years, there has been a trend toward more natural treatments to cure medical problems. Plantar Fasciitis, or Heel pain is the inflammation of the plantar fascia of the foot. The plantar fascia is a band of fibrous tissue that runs along the plantar, or bottom of the foot, extending through the whole length of the foot. The fascia originates at the heel bone, and enters into the ball of the foot.

Each time the foot moves, while walking, running or exercising, the fibers glide over each other. When these fibers are stretched beyond their limit, some fibers will partially tear, causing pain and inflammation. If left untreated, this chronic stretching, and tearing of the fascia will ultimately lead to chronic plantar fasciitis, or heel pain, and may eventually lead to the development of heel spurs.

The Best Supplements to Take for Plantar Fasciitis​

Some of the best supplements for Plantar Fasciitis include: Turmeric, Magnesium, Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), and Bromelain.

BROMELAIN:

Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes found in the core and stem of the pineapple. Pineapples are also filled with other vitamins, including Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Potassium, and Manganese, however Bromelain is the most sought after. Bromelain was first isolated from the pineapple core in 1891, and Bromelain supplements were first created in 1957.

The pineapple was native to South America, and was brought to Europe and the far east by Spanish explorers. Today, Costa Rica, Brazil and the Philippines are the greatest producers of the pineapple.

There are two ways to ingest Bromelain. One way is by juicing the stem or the core of the pineapple, and the other way, is by taking a Bromelain Supplement. The supplement comes in 500mg capsules and should be taken twice a day, as a treatment for inflammation, or plantar fasciitis.

Bromelain, or the Pineapple has been using for centuries as a great natural anti-inflammatory.

VITAMIN C:

Vitamin C is also called Ascorbic Acid, and is important in the production of collagen. Collagen is a key component in the development of tendons, ligaments and even blood vessels. Although Vitamin C is found in many foods, including Melons, Citrus Fruit, Broccoli, Tomatoes, and Green Peppers, taking an added Vitamin C Supplement, can help to reduce inflammation.

Vitamin C Supplements are now made with Bioflavanoids, which help to make the Vitamin C more bioavailable, and more readily absorbable by the body. The Vitamin C Supplements come in 1000mg tablets, and have a non-GMO guarantee.

VITAMIN B5:

Vitamin B5, known as Pantothenic Acid is a water soluble vitamin. “Pantothen” is a Greek word meaning “everywhere”. True to its name, Vitamin B5 is actually everywhere, in almost all foods, in small amounts. Vitamin B5 is used by the body’s adrenal glands to produce Cortisol, which is a natural anti-inflammatory, and can be used to treat plantar fasciitis effectively. Some foods high in Vitamin B5 include sunflower seeds, Avocados, Portobella Mushrooms, Salmon and Eggs.

B12, another B Vitamin, has been found to actually cause Plantar Fasciitis. Interestingly, an FDA Study has found that women over 60 years of age, who take Vitamin B12, have a 90.5% chance of having plantar fasciitis symptoms, especially if they take Methotrexate in conjunction with the Vitamin B12.

MAGNESIUM:

Magnesium is a supplement to treat plantar fasciitis, but it does not decrease inflammation directly as the other supplements do. Magnesium itself helps to support healthy bones, and teeth; it also helps to support nerve, heart and muscle function.

However, Magnesium plays another important role. It helps to absorb Calcium. In chronic plantar fasciitis, the body will start to deposit calcium at the area of the most inflammation and the most pain. This is usually at the insertion of the plantar fascia, at the heel. This deposition of Calcium will eventually lead to a heel spur formation.

By taking magnesium supplements, the body is now able to absorb the extra calcium that is deposited at the heel. This improves healing by decreasing the formation of heel spurs and decreasing scar tissue formation. The Magnesium Tablet usually comes in approx. 250mg, and can be taken once daily with food.

TURMERIC:

Turmeric is widely known as one of the many superfoods on our planet. Turmeric is used widely for the treatment of many ailments. Turmeric is also known as curcumin, which is also its active ingredient. It has potent anti-inflammatory properties, and is one of the natural remedies to alleviate plantar fascia pain.

Turmeric is a Rhizome (a stem that grows underground), and is in the ginger family. The stem of the turmeric plant is dried and ground down to a yellow powder, which we are more familiar with. Turmeric can be made into capsules, powders, teas as well as a paste, all of which can aid in decreasing the pain of plantar fasciitis.

The Turmeric Capsule contains 10mg of black pepper to make the turmeric more bioavailable and improve its absorption into the body.

Turmeric Powder can be used to create a paste. Just mix the powder with Olive Oil or Coconut Oil, to create a pasty consistency. This paste can be applied directly to the skin to aid in the anti-inflammatory process.

In Summary​

These 5 supplements are a more holistic approach to treating plantar fasciitis, and are some of the best supplements for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Typically, treatments of plantar fasciitis in the past included anti-inflammatories, such as Motrin or Naprosyn. However, “The Annals of Internal Medicine” in 2012 found that Plantar Fasciitis is more degenerative rather than Inflammatory; and that anti-inflammatories are only recommended for the initial pain, and not as a long term treatment. This finding throws a new light on supplements and vitamins to help treat fasciitis; treatments that already exist in nature