What foods cause heel spurs?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 24, 2026
Causes of bone spurs in the heel
What aggravates heel spurs?
Repetitive stress from walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces is a common cause of heel spurs. They may also develop from wearing shoes that don't support your foot.
What foods are good for heel spurs?
The following foods are anti-inflammatory powerhouses.
- Spinach: Spinach is high in both vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and MSM.
- Oranges: Oranges are high in calcium, MSM, and vitamin C.
- Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are high in calcium and vitamin C.
- White beans: White beans are high in calcium and magnesium.
What is the fastest way to heal a heel spur?
Heel spur treatments
- Ice packs after walking and exercise.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin.
- Injections of anti-inflammatory medications such as cortisone.
- Stretching exercises, especially before bed.
- Physical therapy.
- Resting your feet.
What causes heel spurs to flare?
Heel spurs can happen as a reaction to stress and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis. Over time your body responds to the stress by building extra bone tissue. This extra tissue becomes a heel spur. Most people don't feel pain from their heel spur, but when they do, the pain is like plantar fasciitis pain.
44 related questions foundWhat vitamin is good for bone spurs?
Vitamin K2 plays an important role in joint health. When soft tissue or joints are damaged due to injury or stress, the body responds with inflammation and repair. This process can result in scar tissue accumulation and over many years can build up causing bone spurs and permanent damage.
How can I prevent heel spurs?
Wearing unsupportive flip flops often is a definite way to set yourself up for heel spurs. The team at Go Feet can help you choose shoes that are smart for your chosen activity, whether that's running, hiking, dancing, or a job that has you on your feet all day.
How do you dissolve bone spurs naturally?
How to dissolve bone spurs naturally
- 1 – Stretching. Stretching your toes, feet, and ankles can alleviate pressure and strain whether you experience a toe bone spur or a heel bone spur. ...
- 2 – Footwear. ...
- 3 – Ice packs. ...
- 4 – Vitamins and supplements. ...
- 5 – Massage therapy.
How do you break up a bone spur?
How are bone spurs treated?
- Ice to reduce swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
- Rest.
- Supportive shoes or shoe inserts.
- Weight loss to decrease joint and bone stress.
What happens if a heel spur goes untreated?
For some patients, these deposits don't cause any discomfort. For many more, however, heel spurs can result in significant, even debilitating, pain. Left untreated, spurs in the heel can limit your activity significantly, with many patients unable to bear any weight on the affected foot.
What foods trigger plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis can actually get worse when certain foods are consumed in excess, including: Animal protein sources with too much saturated fat, such as red meat. Prepared foods with refined grains, sugar and trans-fats. White flour that you find in pasta, snacks and desserts.
Can vitamin D deficiency cause Plantars?
It's been noted that a deficiency in chronic magnesium combined with a deficiency of Vitamin D may result in issues among those affected by plantar fasciitis.
Which fruit is good for heel pain?
In terms of vegetables, spinach, carrots, and broccoli are some of the best that you can consume to reduce inflammation. For fruits, strawberries, blueberries, and tomatoes are the most effective and readily available.
Does walking make heel spurs worse?
Depending on your specific circumstances, walking may help your heel pain, or make it worse. If you experience excruciating pain while walking, try to rest as much as possible until the pain subsides.
Does being overweight cause heel spurs?
Excess weight puts extra stress on all of your bones and joints, and your feet are no exception. Being overweight or obese can increase your chances of developing heel spurs due to the increased pressure on your feet. If you're overweight, losing weight may result in experiencing less foot pain.
Do bone spurs go away?
Unfortunately, bone spurs don't go away on their own.
If addressed quickly with a podiatrist, your bone spurs can be treated using non-invasive methods. Some of those methods include: Daily stretching and low-impact exercises.
Does Epsom salt help bone spurs?
By adding Epsom salt to a small tub of warm water, it is possible to soak feet and relieve some of the inflammation from the heel spurs. It is only necessary to add 1 cup to a foot soak. Since Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, it can naturally reduce inflammation just like taking magnesium capsules can.
Should you massage a bone spur?
They can be very painful and will sometimes need surgical intervention to scrape the spur. A theraputic approach such as massage can be a great attempt at healing the spurs before undergoing surgery. Spurs are accumulated calcium deposits on the bones of the heel or anywhere on the foot (or any other part of the body).
Do bone spurs keep growing?
Although the name “spur” suggests something sharp, bone spurs are usually smooth and may or may not cause any symptoms. Over time, a bone spur may continue to grow, leading to painful irritation of surrounding soft tissue like tendons, ligaments or nerves.
Does vitamin C cause bone spurs?
Cause bone spurs
According to the Arthritis Foundation, one study found that the presence of very high vitamin C levels in the body increased the likelihood of a person developing painful bone spurs.
Can Apple cider vinegar help with bone spurs?
It may be of interest to know that this abnormal bony growth can be effectively and simply treated with a number of home remedies for heel spur. Apple cider vinegar is an effective home remedy. Dip a cotton towel or cotton bandage in apple cider vinegar, fold it up and place it on your heel.
Will losing weight help heel spurs?
Losing excess body fat might be the simplest, smartest way to lower your risk of developing painful heel spurs. These calcium deposits can form when strain, stress, and pressure bear down on your feet over a long period of time.
How long do heel spurs last?
The plantar heel spur is attached to the plantar fascia, and has a short healing time of 3 to 4 weeks. Posterior heel spur recovery can be up to 3 months due to its attachment and surgical repair of the achilles tendon.
Does magnesium help with heel spurs?
Heel Spur Aid
Since magnesium is key to bone health, Epsom salt can be a great natural remedy for a heel spur. A heel spur is caused by displacement of calcium on the bone that forms on the underside of the heel. Heel spurs can be mildly to extremely painful.
Does apple cider vinegar dissolve heel spurs?
Treating Your Heel Spur
The most effective remedies include Epsom salts, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and coconut oil. Also, it is important to note that people suffering from heel spurs should take a rest whenever possible.