Sip this drink so you won’t have to ditch those stilettoes!

Are your aching feet making you wonder if it’s time to retire those Manolos? These tips may help.

Most women own a pair (or five, admit it!) of shoes known as killer heels: high-heeled shoes that instantly complete any outfit, make you feel more confident and sexy, and turn your butt into something truly amazing. However, they’re called “killer” for a much more alarming reason, as they can cause lasting long-term damage to your health.

Why your high heels are hurting you

Simply put, our feet were not evolved to walk in high heels. According to podiatrists¹, we are meant to walk heel to toe. So each time you slip on a pair of high heels you are altering the position of your feet, and therefore your gait, which is where the trouble begins.

Among the most common complaints that women have from wearing their beloved stilettos, painful blisters, corns, ingrown toenails and bunions top the list – as well as losing balance and experiencing humiliating falls. Yet that only sums up the harm that’s immediately apparent to the wearer. What’s more dangerous are the consequences that most women remain unaware of… until serious damage has already been done.

Wearing high heels every day can shorten calf muscles by up to 13 per cent², as well as thicken and stiffen the Achilles tendon, causing discomfort when walking on flat feet. A 2014 study³ by Stanford University scientists also found that wearing stilettos places dangerous levels of strain on a woman’s knee joints and with prolonged use increases the risk of osteoarthritis⁴, a debilitating disease that often goes unnoticed.

How to minimise the damage

A survey⁵ by the College of Podiatry in London found that women reported feeling pain just over one hour after wearing high heels. Despite numerous studies showing the health implications on high-heeled shoes, 40 per cent of survey respondents say they would suffer through it for the sake of fashion. So if you absolutely must buy high-heeled shoes, observe the following tips.

• Get shoes that will cause the least discomfort and damage: Choose shoes with thick padding at the balls of the feet for better cushioning, and thick heels or wedges that provide higher stability than thin stilettos. Heels with platforms also reduce the force on your toes, as they lessen the overall arch of your foot. Rubber soles are highly recommended, as they are able to better absorb pressure on the nerves in your feet.
• Shop for shoes at the end of the day: Our feet are largest at night due to swelling, especially for people who are on their feet a lot, as gravity builds up fluid in the lowest part of our body. Trying on shoes at night, when your feet are at their biggest, will ensure your shoes won’t pinch your feet as they begin to swell as the day progresses.
• Ensure you have adequate calcium intake: Calcium is responsible for maintaining the strength and density of our bones. In order to prevent thinning bones, which can lead to osteoarthritis and other bone health diseases, it’s essential to maintain an optimal calcium intake. The Singapore Health Promotion Board’s recommended daily allowance of calcium for adults is 800mg a day, or 1000mg for those over 51.

One way to ensure you get enough calcium is by drinking Anlene Concentrate, which has four times more calcium than regular fresh milk. With just two packets, it meets 100 per cent of an adult’s daily calcium needs, which is perfect for the modern woman’s busy lifestyle. Anlene Concentrate is also available in four flavours: Fat Free with Collagen, Chocolate, Vanilla and Black Sesame.

The freedom to move starts with strong bones. You don’t necessarily have to ditch the high heels forever, but a step in the right direction will allow you to continue a fashionable yet healthy lifestyle for years to come.

This story was produced in partnership with Anlene.

¹ https://www.podiatry.com/etalk/Heel-to-Toe-Walking-The-t3881.html
² http://jeb.biologists.org/content/213/15/i.1
³ http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jor.22775/abstract
⁴ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/basics/definition/con-20014749
⁵ http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/long-high-heels-start-hurt-article-1.1368068