The bones and muscles in your spine all work together to allow you to walk, stand, and move without pain. When an injury occurs to the spine, the body must work to replace the damaged tissues as fast as possible. The materials for this repair work comes from the nutrition that you consume. With the right diet, you can keep your spine healthy and free from damage or aid your spine in repairing damage that may have occurred.
Essential Nutrients and Foods for Bone Health
Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients for spine health. It helps your spine maintain a proper level of bone mass as you age. Calcium is often found in dairy products such as milk and cheese. However, it can also be found in tofu, leafy vegetables, and baked beans, among other non-dairy foods. Along with calcium, vitamin D is essential as it helps the bones absorb the calcium. Without vitamin D, the bones in your spine can turn weak and brittle. This nutrient is usually found in egg yolks and milk.
Essential Nutrients and Foods for Normal Spine Functions
Vitamin B12 is a necessity for creating healthy bone marrow and general spine functions. Iron keeps the bones in the spine healthy by aiding in myoglobin production. This keeps the muscles that surround the spine healthy and strong. Magnesium is also essential for maintaining bone density and muscle tone to prevent injuries and back problems. Most of these nutrients can be found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Other foods that have these nutrients include beans, grains, and eggs.
Essential Nutrients and Foods for Spine Repairs
Vitamin C assists with the development of collagen in the spine. This process is how new bone forms to replace damaged or old bone. This nutrient is important particularly when the bone needs to heal following an injury. Vitamin C can be found in certain fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and spinach. Vitamin A also assists with helping to repair bone tissue. Dairy products, green vegetables, and orange fruits are high in vitamin A.
With a healthy diet, you can promote healthy bone growth and maintenance for your spine and for your body in general. Not only can this prevent back problems and other injuries, but it can also help you heal faster when you do suffer from back problems.