Osteoporosis and the many forms of arthritis are conditions primarily associated with the elderly, as they should be, because our bodies and, in particular, our bones degenerate naturally with age. The problem is that with a more sedentary society, the age of onset for these conditions of degeneration is shifting forward to affect a younger demographic. Chronic poor posture, a serial lack of inactivity, and an ignorance of proper nutrition, well these are simply bywords for a 21st century reality. The thing is, it doesn’t have to be this way: there are minute changes you can make now that will help you set a proactive attitude toward aging. Nutrition is one of the greatest ways to get started. Food for spinal health:

• Eat your veggies for vitamins: if there’s a vitamin symbolized by a letter, you probably need more of it. Plant-based nutrition is the best way to capture the proper daily value you need of all your vitamins. For people concerned with back care, look to vitamins D, K and B12 in particular in order to keep bones growing and fortified. (leafy greens, fortified dairy products) 
• If you have back pain, eat anti-inflammatory: omega-3s from fish oil, and consume herbs and cooking spices regularly! Make a delicious soup; eat a 3-ounce piece of salmon to provide you with 100% of the vitamin D you need in a day plus a helping of omega-3 fatty acid.
• Build strong bones: calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are your most important ingredients here (fortified dairy, egg yolks)
• Avoid these foods: hydrogenated oils, processed foods, saturated fats, and nightshade vegetables. 

Diet is one of the strongest ways you can account for the incursions of age which occur in all organisms. As humans, we have the power to fight back by customizing our lifestyle to account for our particular condition. For help on creating a holistically-minded lifestyle for your well-being, give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C.