As we all know, back pain and spinal column pain have become a real plague of our times. However, not everyone knows that a proper back diet can help eliminate them. When we start to have back problems, we usually implement exercises and go to a physiotherapist or take medication. However, we rarely consider the issue of diet and changing the way we eat is an important part of treatment.
Diet for the spine - essential vitamins!
For the person suffering from back pain, vitamins are essential and crucial. Mainly A, B, C and D are important, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, silicon, zinc or chromium. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause spinal pain and degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord. On the other hand, too little vitamin D can lead to rickets. In addition, the diet of a person struggling with spinal disease should be rich in organic acids and water.
The vitamins indicated in the diet of a person with back pain are most easily found in vegetables. Eating them strengthens the joints and reduces the risk of degeneration. Raw and steamed vegetables are the most valuable. The vitamin C found in vegetables facilitates the production of collagen. Thanks to it, cartilage is built up and the condition of the connective tissue improves. Fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids help to protect the body and reduce inflammatory processes that aggravate pain. To this end, apples, currants, blackberries, cherries, grapes, apricots, spinach, onions, potatoes or carrots should be consumed. It is also advisable to eat cabbage, cucumbers, broccoli, parsley and beetroot. These are important sources of antioxidants.
Diet for the spine - dairy is key!
In the case of back pain, care should be taken to diet for the spine contained protein and calcium. Ideally, these should come from legumes and dairy products. Protein is one of the basic elements responsible for building bones. Cottage cheese or cheese is also a rich source of calcium, which makes bones and teeth hard and less susceptible to damage. However, animal milk should not be consumed. Contrary to popular belief, it weakens the bones as it leaches calcium from them.
For dairy soups, it is better to use soya, almond or other vegetable milk, while curd, kefir, buttermilk and cheeses should be included in the diet. It is worth knowing that milk leaches calcium from the body, which contributes to the onset of osteoporosis. It is also very hard for an adult to digest and should only be consumed in infancy - as is the case with all other mammals. This is because adults do not have the digestive enzymes responsible for digesting milk.
Fish - a source of omega-3 acid, which is responsible for bone fitness - is also a very healthy product in a diet for an ailing spine.
Products to avoid
People who suffer from back pain should especially avoid coffee, strong tea alcohol and cigarettes, as well as foods rich in animal fats and highly processed dishes. It should be remembered that the main purpose of a diet to help eliminate back problems is to regulate the carbohydrate and acid-base balance, as well as to replenish mineral deficiencies.
In addition to milk, a diet for the spine requires the rejection of animal fat and sunflower oil and the replacement of white bread with dark, whole-grain bread. This is because animal fat, sunflower oil and white bread have a negative impact on our joints. All highly processed food, such as fast food, crisps and powdered soups, is also harmful. They contain a lot of salt, preservatives and chemicals. In addition, stimulants, i.e. alcohol, strong coffee and tea, have a negative impact on the joints, as they reduce the absorption of calcium and protein.
Reasons for back pain can be due to autoimmune diseases. such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example. Sometimes they are also caused by irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve, osteoporosis or degeneration or weakness of the muscles due to muscle overload or excessive weight gain. Therefore, combating overweight is a very important element in the fight for a healthy spine.
