When we think about brain health and longevity, we often focus on diet, exercise, and mental stimulation - but what about our feet?
With over 200,000 nerve endings, the feet are one of the body’s most powerful sensory organs, constantly sending signals to the brain about movement, balance, and stability. The urban legend (myth?) that anyone who can stand to have the soles of their feet tattooed gets tattoos for free should give you an indication of just how sensitive our feet really are, not that you’d know it clod stomping around in most modern footwear.
Who cares though; they’re just feet!
Well, as it turns out, how you move, and what goes on with your feet ends up affecting cognitive health and longevity. Research suggests that poor foot mechanics can lead to imbalances that not only impair coordination and mobility but also contribute to systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction - both of which accelerate brain ageing.
By prioritising natural movement footwear, we can enhance proprioception, improve posture, and support brain-body communication - key factors in maintaining both longevity and cognitive function.
The foot as a sensory organ
Your feet are more than just the foundation of movement - they are powerful sensory tools that constantly communicate with your brain. The soles of your feet provide critical feedback about your surroundings, helping you maintain balance, adjust posture, and move efficiently.
Unfortunately, most modern footwear dulls this natural feedback loop. Thick, cushioned soles and rigid shoe structures reduce the stimulation your feet receive, weakening the brain’s ability to respond to movement changes. Over time, this can lead to poor balance, reduced mobility, and a higher risk of falls - all of which are linked to cognitive decline and accelerated ageing.
By contrast, natural motion footwear, like barefoot shoes, allows your feet to reconnect with the ground. With thinner, flexible soles, these shoes encourage greater sensory input, keeping the foot-brain connection strong and supporting long-term neurological health.
How foot health affects brain function
Your brain and feet are in constant communication, working together to maintain balance, coordination, and efficient movement. When this connection is disrupted - whether by weakened foot muscles, poor gait patterns, or restrictive footwear - it can have a direct impact on brain function and overall well-being.
One of the biggest risks associated with poor foot mechanics is impaired balance and stability, which increases the likelihood of falls, with poor gait mechanics also contributing to systemic inflammation and metabolic stress. Research has also shown that individuals with better balance and walking mechanics tend to maintain stronger cognitive function as they age.
What you wear (or not!) on your feet impacts significantly on reflexive stability - your body’s ability to make split-second adjustments to maintain balance and prevent injury. When your feet can properly sense and respond to changes in terrain, your nervous system adapts more efficiently, improving reaction time and coordination. Barefoots help a ton in this regard.
As an optimisation-focused functional medicine practitioner, perhaps the thing that most excites me about barefoot movement is knowing that it stimulates the vagus nerve, which regulates stress, digestion, and heart rate variability. Vagal tone is a hallmark of what is going on with the autonomic nervous system, which is to my mind the most important determinant of health and longevity.
Barefoot shoes also encourage natural foot splay, allowing the toes to spread and engage correctly. This not only improves balance but also helps distribute impact forces evenly across the foot, reducing stress on the ankles, knees, and spine. Over time, this leads to less joint wear and greater movement efficiency, which is especially important for maintaining mobility and independence as you age.
We love that the team at Sole Mechanics recommends starting with foot-strengthening exercises - such as toe spread drills, short barefoot walks on different surfaces, and balance work - to restore natural function. This prepares your body for a smoother transition to natural movement footwear, maximising the benefits without discomfort.
Rethinking footwear for a sharper mind and stronger body
By allowing your feet to move as they were designed to, barefoot shoes enhance sensory feedback, improve coordination, and support cognitive function. Over time, this can lead to better balance, sharper reflexes, and improved neurological resilience - all key factors in ageing well.
If you already prioritise movement and health, you understand how the body works as an interconnected system. The foot-brain connection is an overlooked piece of the puzzle when it comes to longevity, mobility, and cognitive function.
If you want to get more from your body, our team at Melbourne Functional Medicine, provide active patients access to an annual Healthspan Physical Assessment, a comprehensive, low-intervention check that gives you a measurable understanding of your physical and cognitive health. This assessment evaluates key factors such as balance, mobility, metabolic health, grip strength, heart rate variability, and cognitive function - all of which are essential for longevity and independent living. The goal is to move you into optimal functional ranges, ensuring you stay strong, balanced, and resilient for life’s challenges.
By taking this step, you’re investing in better movement, better health, and a deeper understanding of your unique physiology. Book a Discovery Call today to explore how we can support your health journey.
Written by Jabe Brown, founder of Melbourne Functional Medicine