Q. My feet hurt often no matter what shoes I wear. What could be the cause?

A. Your feet carry all your body weight, supporting you for an active life. Your feet can go through a lot of wear and tear leading to bigger problems later. If you can’t walk or stand comfortably, you are more likely to become less active affecting your overall wellness.

Other conditions that can affect your feet are inflammation and obesity. Inflammation can affect your foot health. Certain foods can increase chemicals in your body that cause tissue inflammation and pain in the band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your feet. Some of the foods that contain inflammation causing chemicals include refined grains, sugar, trans fats, the saturated fats in red meats, and the omega-6 fats found in vegetable, corn, soybean and sunflower oils. Inflammation can also be caused by chronic allergies to food, or eating too many foods that cause a high and rapid rise in blood sugars. Good nutrition can help protect your feet.

Because your feet must bear the weight of your entire body throughout the day, being overweight can cause painful foot problems. Even 25 extra pounds can cause pain in your feet. The things you can do to keep your feet healthy include:

- Eat less sugar.

- Eat more green vegetables, fish and fresh foods.

- Increase your omega-3 fats intake.

- Have your feet measured regularly to make sure you are wearing the proper size shoe.

- Lose weight if you are 25 pounds or more over your idea weight.

- Keep your feet clean and dry.

- Rest.

If your feet hurt every day or get very painful for long periods of time, look at your health and lifestyle and see if there are any changes you can make to relieve the pain, such as buying new shoes or looking at what you are eating. If you are still having problems, consult with your physician or refer to a podiatrist who specializes in conditions of the feet.