About This Blog:
- Maintaining a well-balanced diet by eating foods that are jam-packed with essential vitamins and other nutrients is crucial if you want to live a long and healthy life.
- Although eating right is great for your overall health, it is also beneficial for your spine health as well.
- In this week's blog, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine talks about proper nutrition for a healthy spine.
Eating a poor diet and foregoing physical activity can have a major effect on your heart, digestive, and spine health. Additionally, not maintaining a healthy body weight could lead to a number of painful spine-related injuries that may not heal properly due to your poor food choices.
Fortunately, there are food items that can provide your spine the necessary vitamins and nutrients it needs to nourish its bones, muscles, and vertebral discs. Of course, most people are aware calcium is extremely important for strong and healthy bones, but did you know vitamin D, vitamin A, magnesium and other nutrients can help keep the spine strong and healthy too? Below are a few vitamins and nutrients to keep an eye out for next time you go to the grocery store.
Vitamin D
As mentioned previously, calcium is essential for bone health because it helps the body maintain appropriate levels of bone mass. However, did you know vitamin D is crucial for the successful absorption of that oh-so-important calcium? Without it, bones wouldn’t be able to absorb the calcium, which could cause them to become brittle and fracture. High levels of vitamin D can be obtained by spending time in the sun. It can also be obtained by consuming fish oil pills, egg yolks, and fortified milk.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an antioxidant that helps the immune system combat diseases and infections. It also helps keep muscles, ligaments, and other tissues in the back strong, especially if they’ve sustained some kind of damage (vitamin A helps repair tissue). Vitamin A can be obtained by eating beef, chicken liver, milk, butter, cheese, eggs, oranges, apricots, nectarines, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Whew!
Magnesium
Magnesium helps relax and contract muscles, which in turn maintains muscle tone and bone density.This process helps keep muscles in the back strong and pliable to prevent serious injuries and spinal deformities from developing. Magnesium can be obtained by eating whole grains, beans, seeds, buts, potatoes, avocados, bananas, kiwi fruit, shrimp, spine, kale, and broccoli.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps keep bone marrow healthy and allows the spine to grow and function properly. If you’re interested in consuming more vitamin B12, start by eating liver, fish, red meat, poultry, milk, yogurt, cheese and eggs. Bon Appetit!
To discuss other food items that may keep your spine limber and healthy, call NeuroMicroSpine today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Giovanini! He and his team at iLifestyle Destin will be able to assemble a nutrition plan and exercise regimen that keeps your back healthy!
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit http://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.