These Vitamins And Nutrients Are Key For A Healthy Spine

Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi

Vitamin D for Spine Health

What we put in our bodies plays a key role in the health and development of our spine. Certain vitamins and nutrients are especially helpful in ensuring that our spine has what it needs to grow and develop as expected. So if you’re looking to improve your spinal health, you’ll want to make it a point to get plenty of each of the following vitamins and nutrients in your diet on a regular basis.

Helpful Nutrients For Your Spine

Here’s a closer look at some nutrients that are helpful for your spine, and a little explanation as to why your spine wants a healthy dose of each:

  1. Vitamin A – Vitamin A plays a number of important roles inside your body. Not only can it help to boost your immunity, but the vitamin also plays a helpful role in bone formation and tissue repair. This can help to prevent early spinal arthritis onset or aid in the bone repair process in the event that you suffer a spinal fracture. Vitamin A can be found in leafy green vegetables, carrots and dairy products.
  2. Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 can help ensure the healthy formation of a protective coating of key spinal nerve cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency has also been linked to certain types of spinal cord conditions, so make sure you get plenty of vitamin B12 from sources like fish, dairy products and red meat or soy products.
  3. Vitamin D – Vitamin D is another crucial vitamin for your body, as it plays a key role in how your body absorbs calcium and maintains phosphorus levels. These functions serve to promote healthy bone growth and development. Research has also shown that vitamin D can help to decrease your risk of certain spinal diseases. You can find vitamin D in fish oil, eggs and by safely exposing your skin to sunlight, as your body can create its own vitamin D.
  4. Vitamin K – Vitamin K is essential in helping to increase healthy bone mass and density. If your spinal vertebrae become too thin and brittle, you can be at risk for spinal osteoporosis or fractures. Getting plenty of vitamin K by consuming leafy green vegetables, dairy products, avocados and beans can help to reduce your risk of thinning spinal bones.
  5. Iron – Finally, you’ll also want to track and increase your iron intake. Iron has been shown to help the body produce a protein found in muscle tissue known as myoglobin. Myoglobin helps to ensure certain muscle groups like your obliques and flexors stay healthy, and these muscles play a key role in supporting your spine. If these muscles can’t function properly, your spine will feel the effects. Increase your iron intake by eating green vegetables, eggs, beans, soy products and whole grains.

If you couple your diet with exercise, we’re confident that your spine will be in great shape for years to come. For more information, or for help with a different spinal issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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