Monday 20 May 2013

Nutrition and Its Role in Back Pain



If you are a resident of Charlotte with back pain, you may feel as if you’ve tried everything to alleviate your pain and enjoy a higher quality of life, but one important factor often goes overlooked—nutrition. Nutrition plays a vital role in back pain, and the alleviation of pain. Proper nutrition can not only contribute the overall proper functioning of the body’s systems, but maintaining a healthy weight also plays a pivotal role in back pain.
The bones and muscles that make up the structure of the spine and back require proper vitamins and nutrients in order to maintain the strength to support the body and perform their necessary functions.

Food’s Role in Inflammation
Inflammation of the joints is one of the primary reasons residents of Charlotte back pain issues. Inflammation not only leads to back pain, but also other more serious issues, such as arthritis. Inflammation can be caused by any number of reasons, but one of the factors that contributes to inflammation lies in the foods we eat.
Processed foods are a prime contributor to inflammation and, in particular, foods that contain corn, gluten, dairy and eggs. Some examples of foods that have been shown to increase the body’s levels of inflammation are fried foods, red meat, oils and foods and beverages high in sugar, such as juices and sodas. In general, eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods is one of the best ways to reduce inflammation levels. Foods that can reduce inflammation associated with joint and back pain include dark green vegetables, fruits and vegetables with high amounts of antioxidants and fish rich in Omega-3s. All of these foods can play a pivotal role in fighting free radicals, which cause inflammation.

The Importance of Calcium
If you are a person in Charlotte with back pain, it’s also vital to understand the importance of consuming a diet high in calcium. Calcium strengthens the bones and prevents conditions such as osteoporosis. Without adequate amounts of calcium, the bones can become weak and brittle, which can lead to vertebral fractures. Also, if bones are not strong, they don’t have the ability to support the body properly, which can lead to pain in various areas of the body.

Vitamin C
A diet rich in Vitamin C is a very effective way to prevent back pain. Vitamin C is required so that the body can create collagen, which is used during the process of turning cells into tissue. For anyone in Charlotte with back pain or injuries, Vitamin C can promote and encourage the healing process required after injuries that occur to tendons, ligaments and discs. Additionally, Vitamin C helps keep bones and tissues strong.

Foods That Reduce Chronic Pain
In addition to eating diets low in processed foods and ensuring they are receiving an adequate amount of vitamins and nutrients, for individuals in Charlotte, there are other interesting foods that have been shown to reduce chronic pain including:

  • Ginger and turmeric because of their anti-inflammatory properties
  • Pineapple and papaya because of their enzymes that break down proteins that can lead to pain
  • Coconut water because it reduces dehydration which can lead to various types of pain

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