Diets That Are Good For Your Back
By Randi Morse
We are often told by our physicians to eat healthy so that we can keep our bodies healthy. We are advised to eat foods that are good for our hearts, digestion, cholesterol, diabetes; it seems like every system in our body requires the right nutrition in order to run optimally. But what about your spine? Is there some nutrition you should be worrying about in order to keep your spine healthy? As a matter of fact, there is. The right nutrition can help keep your spine healthy and strong as you grow older. Here are a few tips that will help to ensure you have a healthy spine and back.
Water
Once again hydration becomes the main topic of discussion. The simple truth is that most people in the United States do not drink enough water. There is a huge percentage of our body that is made up of water and ensuring that you stay hydrated helps your body to function at peak level. When you are dehydrated, your body must work a little harder to do all the functions it is required to do. With enough hydration, your body doesn't have to fill in that deficit and can instead focus on other things. Water is extremely important to your back as well. The discs that make up your spine are largely made of water. The more hydrated you stay, the more flexible your spine is.
Magnesium
Having a colorful plate full of vegetables, fruit, and protein is important. Most nutritional experts recommend that we get used to eating leafy vegetables and other healthy foods including avocados, fish, and whole grains. Another reason you might want to start eating more of these foods is because they are high in magnesium. Magnesium plays a key role in keeping your bones, and back muscles, strong.
Calcium
Most of us know that calcium is important for our bones, and that it can help prevent osteoporosis. Some people try to get their calcium from supplements, but it's better if you ingest your calcium either from food or from drink. Dark green leafy vegetables are a fantastic source of calcium, as are dairy products. Vitamin D plays an important part in the role of calcium as well, as it helps the body to absorb the calcium you drink or eat, so it's important to make sure that you get enough Vitamin D in your diet.
It can be hard to change your diet, especially if you've been eating the same type of foods for a long time. Experts recommend that you start slowly, adding in new fruits, or vegetables, a few at a time.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Antonio, Tex.