Is your diet contributing to your back pain? It could be.
Many foods have been shown to reduce (or increase) inflammation, a known cause for back pain.
So when you have back pain, changing your diet may help you avoid it.
Inflammation will run rampant through your body if it's left unchecked, causing all kinds of problems, including low-back pain.
That's why creating an anti-inflammatory diet with foods that help you maintain proper nutrition is essential to managing back pain.
If you're prone to back pain, consider the diet tips in the article below.
Table of Contents
- Calcium
- Kale
- Magnesium
- Olive Oil
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin K2
- Milk, Cheese, Yogurt
- Vitamin C
- Turmeric
- Get Expert Nutrition Advice
Calcium
Calcium receives a lot of attention as the most prominent of bone minerals.
It is essential for bone health and will help maintain the necessary level of bone mass throughout your lifespan.
Adequate calcium intake is particularly important to help prevent the development of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by weak and brittle bones that can result in painful vertebral fractures in the spine.
Calcium alone will not make strong bones, as evidenced by the high rate of osteoporosis despite high calcium supplementation.
Calcium must be balanced with other nutrients that contribute to healthy bones.
Calcium is found in many foods, such as dairy and dark green leafy vegetables.
Kale
Many veggies have anti-inflammatory properties.
In general, though, the greener the vegetable, the better off you and your back will be.
A kale salad is an easy way to throw some green into your life.
If your like many people who can't stand the way kale tastes, you can throw a handful into a smoothie. That way, you can reap the benefits without actually having to taste it.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a key mineral in the structure of the bone matrix. It is also required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
If your blood magnesium levels drop, magnesium will be pulled from your bones.
Magnesium deficiency is prevalent, and supplementation can assist in maintaining bone density and preventing back problems.
Magnesium also helps in relaxing and contracting muscles, making it necessary for strengthening the muscles that support the spine.
Olive Oil
Olive oil has several proven health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory capabilities.
It's also filled with antioxidants, one of which is called oleocanthal, a chemical that's basically been shown to work like ibuprofen for pain in the body.
And don't worry, you don't have to drink the olive oil like water to reap the benefits.
Just drizzle some olive oil onto your salad, and that will do the trick.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 will help your body absorb calcium, which is crucial for the development of strong and healthy bones.
Without sufficient vitamin D, your bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.
Like magnesium, Vitamin D deficiency is common.
Vitamin D is found naturally in only a few foods, but it can also be attained through nutritional supplementation and time spent in the sun.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 acts as a director for bone minerals, distributing calcium out of the soft tissues and depositing it into the bone.
Vitamin K2 is critical for healthy bone metabolism and is also often deficient in the diet.
Combining vitamin K2 and calcium works to help bones in the spine and throughout the body stay strong and healthy.
Vitamin K1 is the plant form of vitamin K, which is converted to vitamin K2 by healthy digestive bacteria.
Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are all excellent sources of calcium.
If you're vegan or vegetarian, you can still get your calcium from soy milk, tofu, or orange juice.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is necessary for collagen formation.
Collagen is the substance that holds the body together and is found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons.
It is an integral part of the process that enables cells to form into tissue, and it also functions as an antioxidant.
Adequate vitamin C intake is vital for healing injured muscles, tendons, ligaments, and intervertebral discs, as well as for keeping the vertebrae strong.
Vitamin C can be found in fruits as well as in many vegetables and is commonly available in supplement form.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that's so popular; it practically has a cult following. The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is an incredibly powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Turmeric can be added to many foods, or you can try this turmeric carrot ginger smoothie. Simply blend together a banana, some ginger, pineapple, turmeric, lemon, and carrot.
Get Expert Nutrition Advice
These are a few great foods and supplements to incorporate into your diet.
However, there is nothing better than getting this information from the experts.
The chiropractors at Florida Spine and Injury can give you nutrition information to keep your back healthy, as well as see if you're an ideal candidate for chiropractic care.
And don't think you need to be in pain to see a back pain chiropractor. Many people see chiropractors for regular maintenance adjustments to be sure their bodies are healthy and firing on all cylinders.
To speak with a chiropractor at Florida Spine and Injury, click the button below.
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