Does Turmeric Really Help With Plantar Fasciitis?

Fans of Asian cuisine are likely familiar with the vibrant yellow spice, turmeric, which adds a musky, bitter taste to most curry dishes. Turmeric has been used in Asian cuisine for centuries as a spice to add flavor. But turmeric provides more than vibrant color and taste to consumers. It’s also a known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help to manage inflammation in the body, among other health benefits.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition characterized by an inflamed plantar fascia that causes sufferers intense pain in their heel and foot. Can turmeric help treat plantar fasciitis and reduce pain?

Plantar Fasciitis and Turmeric

The main compound in turmeric is called curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful substance with many health benefits. It has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help the body in multiple ways.

Below are a few benefits of curcumin (turmeric) and how it can help to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis:

Turmeric May Provide Pain Relief

Curcumin has been thoroughly studied for its ability to produce analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that rival common pain killing and anti-inflammatory drugs. One study found that curcumin is more of an effective anti-inflammatory than ibuprofen and aspirin and provided more pain relief than hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone.

Pain relief medications are often prescribed to treat plantar fasciitis. But long-term use of common pain-relieving drugs can damage the liver or cause other negative side effects. Turmeric (curcumin) may be a welcome alternative as it has very few (if any) negative health effects.

Turmeric Has Powerful Antioxidant Effects

Free radicals are created by your body’s cells during the metabolic cycle. Free radicals damage cell tissue and organs and are responsible for most signs of aging. Inflammation ramps up the production of free radicals in the body, which can lead to more damage.

Antioxidants, like curcumin, fight free radicals to prevent further cell damage. Antioxidants can help to both prevent and repair damage caused by free radicals. Adding more turmeric to your diet may help to reduce damage caused to the plantar fascia in those with plantar fasciitis. 

Turmeric Reduces Inflammation

Curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue connecting the ankles to the toes, becomes inflamed. This inflammation may cause swelling and discomfort in the heel and foot. Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury, but chronic inflammation can be harmful. Curcumin can reduce inflammation and ease pain and swelling in plantar fasciitis.

Turmeric May Help With Weight-Loss

Obesity and weight gain are both risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis. Extra weight places more pressure on the ligaments in the feet and ankles, especially the plantar fascia. Studies have shown that turmeric may help manage weight by slowing down the growth of fat cells. It can also help the body metabolize fat better and prevent the formation of adipose tissue.

Treating Plantar Fasciitis With Natural Supplements

Turmeric may be helpful in reducing symptoms of plantar fasciitis in conjunction with other forms of treatment.* Turmeric can easily be added to foods such as smoothies, stir fry’s, and other meals. There are very few negative side effects associated with turmeric, even at high doses. The most common side effect is mild gastrointestinal discomfort. To avoid any discomfort, it may be wise to include turmeric into your diet in small doses and gradually build up your consumption.

Additionally, turmeric can be consumed in supplement form. Supplements often provide more potent dosing than you would get from including it in your diet. Natural supplements are a safer and less expensive alternative to prescription drugs and other treatments available for plantar fasciitis.*

PodiVite for Plantar Fasciitis

PodiVite is a natural supplement formulated by podiatrists and pharmacists specifically for treating inflammation and pain associated with plantar fasciitis.* PodiVite contains 23 natural ingredients (including turmeric) that are backed by science for their effectiveness in reducing inflammation and pain.* PodiVite is all natural and non-habit forming with very little risk of negative side effects.*

Does Turmeric really help with Plantar Fasciitis: The Takeaway 

Plantar fasciitis is an uncomfortable inflammatory condition that remains a chronic nuisance for many individuals. Current treatment for plantar fasciitis is aimed at reducing pain and inflammation, often using prescription drugs. Turmeric, or curcumin, has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects.

Turmeric can be helpful for treating those with inflammatory conditions such as plantar fasciitis among a variety of health conditions. In supplement form, turmeric is more potent and can deliver faster results.* PodiVite is a natural supplement, made from turmeric and 22 other natural ingredients, that is used for both pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.