How to Eat for a Healthier Spine
By Sara Butler
The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic certainly want you to know about how chiropractic can improve your health and wellness, but they also want you to know about the things you can do on your own that can help to improve the health of your spine as a complement to chiropractic care. One of those things is how you eat. Here are a few chiropractic approved tips to help you eat your way to a healthier spine.
Concentrate on Calcium
You've certainly heard that milk does your body good, but do you know why? It's the calcium, of course. Calcium is a mineral that helps your body to maintain bone mass through every stage of life. In fact, getting enough calcium in your diet is essential as you grow older to help keep your bones strong and healthy, including the hard-working bones of your spine.
You can add more calcium to your diet each day by making sure you're including these things:
- Leafy greens - Milk isn't the only food with calcium! Kale, collard greens, broccoli, and spinach all provide calcium.
- Fish - Salmon and sardines are packed full of calcium, so enjoy them one to two times per week
- Dairy - Milk is the main way people get calcium in their diets, but cheese and yogurt are also great sources
- Legumes - Black beans, tofu, peanuts, and baked beans also provide the calcium your body needs to be healthy
Get Your Vitamin D
Calcium goes great with Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that actually helps your body to absorb calcium properly. You can get more Vitamin D in your diet by:
- Eating or drinking fortified foods or beverages
- Eating whole eggs (don't skip the yolk!)
- Get some sun since it helps your body to naturally produce Vitamin D
Munch on Magnesium
Another mineral that helps support a healthy spine is magnesium. It helps your muscles to work properly, contracting and relaxing as they should. But magnesium also helps your body to maintain bone density along with its important job with muscles. Get more magnesium with:
- Whole grains - Brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole grain pasta all have more magnesium than their non-whole grain alternatives
- Vegetables - Kale, spinach, and broccoli are back, this time helping you get the magnesium your body needs
- Seeds - Sesame seeds, flax, and sunflower seeds are all rich sources of magnesium
- Fruits - Kiwi, bananas, and avocados take care of business and get you the magnesium you need
Let's face it, all of these things are a part of a healthy, balanced diet. So go ahead, eat healthily and see how it improves every aspect of your health -- including the health of your spine!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.