Hungry for Bone Health?
By Donna Stark
Hungry for information on how to keep your spine healthy? Don't you just want to take a bite out of that pain you are experiencing? Good! Because that's exactly what we are going to talk about today. Food. Nutrition. And the health of your bones (yep, that includes your spine). I bet you could tell me about all of the benefits that omega-3s have to offer for the health of your heart. You could probably even tell me which foods to eat for an improved immune system, couldn't you? But can you tell me what kind of diet is the best in regards to optimal bone health?
Eating for Your Bones
A healthy diet is instrumental in every aspect of the body's health. Your body is dependent on the vitamins and minerals you consume, but it can be difficult to know and follow all of the recommendations. In fact, many people think that if they fill their body with supplements, they are good to go, but even though there is a valid place for supplementation, your best bet is to get your daily dose by consuming a diet packed with nutrition. Do you know what a "healthy-bone" diet looks like? Here are some suggestions on what you should focus on.
- Whites - Unless you are lactose intolerant, there are important benefits with consuming dairy products. Calcium and Vitamins D, B12, and K are excellent for bone health.
- Greens - The greener the better is how the saying goes. Spinach contains Vitamin A and B12, and kale and broccoli are great sources of Vitamin K and iron.
- Oranges - Don't forget all of your orange fruits and vegetables too! Foods such as nectarines, cantaloupe, apricots, carrots, and sweet potatoes are all great sources of Vitamin A.
Choose more of these foods when you are grocery shopping because they certainly know how to pack a punch when it comes to giving your bones exactly what they need. Let's take a look.
- Calcium - Helps build and maintain bones
- Vitamin D - Helps the body absorb calcium, reduces the risk of bone loss and broken bones
- Vitamin B12 - Plays an important role in bone-cell formation, reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Vitamin K - Slows down bone loss and increases bone strength
- Vitamin A - Essential for repairing damaged tissue in the body as well as in the formation of strong bones
Strengthen Your Bones, Strengthen Your Body
The small dietary changes you make today can easily add up to incredible amounts of bone protection later in life, as well as improved overall health. It's simple. By strengthening your bones, you will effectively be strengthening your body. Since your spine is part of your bone structure, you will be able to impact nearly every aspect of your health by making it healthier. So go ahead. Fill your plate and eat up!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lakewood, Colo.