OT: Cracked Heels

[Guest guest]

Here is an article:

Cracked Heels & Nutritional Deficiency

Jun 13, 2010 | By Kenny

Cracked Heels & Nutritional Deficiency Photo Credit Zen feet image by Christophe

Schmid from Fotolia.com

Cracked heels or heel fissures refer to the buildup of thick, dry skin on the

heel of the foot and the consequential cracking of the skin. The fissures can be

mild--consisting of dry, cracked skin on just the outer layers of the

epidermis--or severe, affecting the internal layers of the dermis. Damage to the

dermis layer can cause pain, discomfort and bleeding. An inadequate consumption

of key vitamins and minerals can increase the risk and severity of cracked

heels.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is generally associated with healthy vision, but it also plays an

important role in maintaining and rejuvenating skin tissue. Vitamin A promotes

cell division and growth, including the sloughing of skin cells that leads to

smooth healthy skin. Carrots, milk, eggs, green vegetables and orange fruits are

all good sources of vitamin A. The Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Recommended

Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 700mcg and 900mcg for adult women and

men, respectively.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E works to protect skin cells from harmful free radicals produced by the

body and other environmental sources, such as the sun. As an antioxidant,

vitamin E keeps skin cells healthy and smooth. It can be found in foods such as

green vegetables, nuts, fortified cereals and whole-grain products. The RDA for

vitamin E is 15mg daily.

Vitamin C

Like vitamin E, vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals. Free radicals

destroy the skin's structural support of collagen and elastin fibers and cause

wrinkles or cracks in the skin. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and

green-leafy vegetables. According to the IOM, only 75mg to 90mg of the vitamin

is needed by the adult body daily. However, most adults consume much larger

amounts of this vitamin.

Zinc

Zinc provides enzymes that benefit skin cells in multiple ways. Zinc facilitates

cell division, growth and wound healing. It's widely distributed in foods, but

high amounts of zinc are found in oysters, red meats, seafood, poultry, whole

grains and fortified cereals. The RDA for zinc is 11mg for men and 8mg for women

daily.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The body doesn't naturally produce omega-3 fatty acids, yet they are essential

to the human body and must come from the diet. They help with blood circulation,

wound healing, skin integrity and reduce inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids come

in three types: eicosapentaenic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and

alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). EPA and DHA are obtained by eating cold-water fish.

ALA comes from plant oils and seeds such as flaxseeds. The American Heart

Association (AHA) recommends the general public consume at least two servings

(3.5 oz per serving) of fatty fish such as canned tuna, shrimp, halibut, pollock

and catfish weekly.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the article Maggie! We all know we have nutritional deficiencies. I

shudder to think what my heels would be like if i didn't take all the things

mentioned there. They're bad enough as it is ...

Khaya

>

> Here is an article:

>

> Cracked Heels & Nutritional Deficiency

>

> Jun 13, 2010 | By Kenny

> Cracked Heels & Nutritional Deficiency Photo Credit Zen feet image by

Christophe Schmid from Fotolia.com

>

> Cracked heels or heel fissures refer to the buildup of thick, dry skin on the

heel of the foot and the consequential cracking of the skin. The fissures can be

mild--consisting of dry, cracked skin on just the outer layers of the

epidermis--or severe, affecting the internal layers of the dermis. Damage to the

dermis layer can cause pain, discomfort and bleeding. An inadequate consumption

of key vitamins and minerals can increase the risk and severity of cracked

heels.

> Vitamin A

>

> Vitamin A is generally associated with healthy vision, but it also plays an

important role in maintaining and rejuvenating skin tissue. Vitamin A promotes

cell division and growth, including the sloughing of skin cells that leads to

smooth healthy skin. Carrots, milk, eggs, green vegetables and orange fruits are

all good sources of vitamin A. The Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Recommended

Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 700mcg and 900mcg for adult women and

men, respectively.

> Vitamin E

>

> Vitamin E works to protect skin cells from harmful free radicals produced by

the body and other environmental sources, such as the sun. As an antioxidant,

vitamin E keeps skin cells healthy and smooth. It can be found in foods such as

green vegetables, nuts, fortified cereals and whole-grain products. The RDA for

vitamin E is 15mg daily.

> Vitamin C

>

> Like vitamin E, vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals. Free radicals

destroy the skin's structural support of collagen and elastin fibers and cause

wrinkles or cracks in the skin. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and

green-leafy vegetables. According to the IOM, only 75mg to 90mg of the vitamin

is needed by the adult body daily. However, most adults consume much larger

amounts of this vitamin.

> Zinc

>

> Zinc provides enzymes that benefit skin cells in multiple ways. Zinc

facilitates cell division, growth and wound healing. It's widely distributed in

foods, but high amounts of zinc are found in oysters, red meats, seafood,

poultry, whole grains and fortified cereals. The RDA for zinc is 11mg for men

and 8mg for women daily.

> Omega-3 Fatty Acids

>

> The body doesn't naturally produce omega-3 fatty acids, yet they are essential

to the human body and must come from the diet. They help with blood circulation,

wound healing, skin integrity and reduce inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids come

in three types: eicosapentaenic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and

alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). EPA and DHA are obtained by eating cold-water fish.

ALA comes from plant oils and seeds such as flaxseeds. The American Heart

Association (AHA) recommends the general public consume at least two servings

(3.5 oz per serving) of fatty fish such as canned tuna, shrimp, halibut, pollock

and catfish weekly.

>

[Guest guest]

I had horribly cracked heels in Jan/Feb 2011 prior to starting large dose of

serrapeptase (120,000 Iu 2 x's a day) and they started to heal within a week &

about 1 month into that regimen they were almost normal - - then I followed

Buhner protocolS (capitol " S " because the " core protocol " deals with Lyme & co's

but the supplemental protocols are what help you heal) from May on & they have

maintained very well.