Eating the right food, keeping the body well hydrated and staying active, have been proven by actual science as healthy behaviors that help people reach their senior years with minimal health problems. The most significant benefit of maintaining overall wellness is that when older adults enter their senior year at the age of 60, they will be able to stave off the pain and debilitating effects of degenerative disc diseases.
A healthy condition ensures that proper and adequate nutrients reach the spine up to its supporting muscles and connective tissues. An excellent example is that of keeping your spinal discs properly hydrated by having lots of water intake. Doing so helps prevent loss of spinal fluid that could result to wear and tear on the outer surface of spinal discs, which could lead to herniated discs that produce excruciating back pain.
Important Nutrients that Promote Healthy Conditions in the Spine
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Calcium – Supplying the body with sufficient calcium, especially when in the aging stage, helps prevent loss of bone mass; a condition that renders the vertebral structure brittle and likely susceptible to fracture. This particular mineral is largely present in dairy products, dark leafy greens, black beans, tofu, sardines, salmon, almonds and black strap molasses.
Vitamin C, which everyone knows is found mostly in citrus fruits, berries, yet also available in other food sources like pepper, potatoes and broccoli. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, a substance that body cells need in developing tendons, ligaments and vertebral discs.
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Iron nutrients help produce myoglobin, which carries and stores food and oxygen for the muscles that provide support for the spine. Food rich in iron content include meat products derived from farm and marine animàls, green leafy veggies and legumes.
Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that helps improve and strengthen the body’s immune system. Regularly supplying the body with an adequate dose of A Vitamin, will help the body repair distressed tissues, as well as build stronger back bones. Crops that come in orange colors such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupes, as weĺl as cow and chicken livers are Vitamin A-rich foods.
Issues that Deter Seniors from Receiving Proper Nutrition
Certain issues prevent senior citizens from getting all the necessary nutrients that could help them battle degenerative disc diseases. Most seniors for one can no longer cook meals because of mobility issues, memory loss, poor balance and unsteadiness of condition.
If money is not an issue, seniors or their caregivers can order ready to cook, or ready to eat meals specially prepared based on dietary requirements and restrictions. The most popular food-for-senior delivery services, include Magic Kitchen, Diet-to-Go, Blue .Apron, Silver Cuisine, Green Chef and HelloFresh.
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Now for those who cannot afford to buy or order special meals for their seniors, there are Meals on Wheels programs across the nation that deliver low cost senior-appropriate meals at absolutely no cost. Meals on Wheels are run by thousands of non-profit organizations and volunteer groups.
On knowledge of how degenerative disc disease can be treated by way of conservative medical attention, therapy, or surgery, a recommended source of information is the Central Texas Spine Institute.