It might be hard to believe, but the foods you eat can play a significant role in your spinal health. Suppose you've been experiencing spinal problems lately. In that case, getting on track with the proper diet is probably the next step to feeling your best.
Specific food is packed with what your body needs to be healthier and more robust. By making the right food choices, you can get back on track to a healthier spine. Avoiding the wrong foods and replacing them with the right ones is the best way to start.
Wondering what foods are best for your spine? Here are 5 of the best foods to consider adding to your diet to keep your spine healthy.
We know that vegetables are good for our health, body, and mind. By creating more vegetables in your diet, you can improve your spine and overall health and wellness. That being said, certain vegetables contain properties that will help fight spinal issues.
Green, leafy vegetables like kale, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach strengthen properties like inflammation. These vegetables also contain nutrients that help support the spine. Your spine is the backbone of your body's skeletal system, and it needs all the nutritional help you can give it. These leafy greens are full of essential vitamins like A, C, E, and K for the bones and tissues for a healthy full-functioning spine. Things like vitamin K help with calcium absorption, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis. Magnesium in these vegetables also increases bone density and muscle strength.
When adding fruit to your diet, you have to be more careful because the high sugar and overconsuming can negatively affect your health. While you need to be responsible, fruits have many health benefits on the spine.
Berries are particularly good for spinal health. Pack with antioxidants that naturally fight inflammation and even reduce the risk of experiencing pain when developing arthritis. Fruits like blueberries have more than 20 different antioxidants. Cherries and grapes have similar benefits. Tart cherries have the most anti-inflammatory benefits of any other fruit.
Pineapples are another fruit that can help people manage osteoarthritis pain. Pineapples carry an abundance of manganese that help prevent arthritis of the spine and strengthen connective tissues. High amounts of manganese and protein-digesting can also minimize flare-ups from inflammation and increase the strength of the spine and joints.
Calcium is essential for maintaining proper bone and spine health. The easiest way to add calcium to your diet without taking supplements is by increasing dairy in your diet. You can begin building your spine health by choosing the right type of dairy to add and not overconsuming it.
Be smart about consuming dairy products to avoid adding too much fat or cholesterol.
Omega-3 can naturally reduce your body's inflammatory response and help the healing process. Omega-3 is known for decreasing chronic inflammation. Since inflammation is a contributor to back pain, reducing the inflammation will likely decrease pain you may be experiencing.
Adding salmon to your diet regularly is a great way to gain omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon is versatile and tastes good. It can be prepared in different ways and suitable for your health in many different ways.
Herbs and spices are another great way to increase spinal health. Add one of these herbs and spices below to your recipes and daily diet routine. Try creating herbal teas, which strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
When changing your diet to gain better spine health, remove unhealthy choices gradually and replace them with better alternatives. Enhance your diet by replacing your meals over time with more nutritious options.
A diet full of essential vitamins and nutrients is ideal for overall well-being. If you need further guidance on proper nutrition for optimal back health in your spine, consider making an appointment with Dr. David Nygaard to discuss your options for a healthier spine.
Contact Atlas Brain and Body today at 828-253-0700 to see how we can help.