Nutrition in Glen Ellyn, IL
Like exercise, proper nutrition provides a wealth of benefits‚ both physical and emotional‚ that contribute to your body's strength and its ability to ward off disease and disability.
Nutrition Services
When you’re looking to make changes in your diet, you may not be sure what needs to be changed or what you can add to your routine so that you’re getting all the nutrients you need. You can talk to a health counselor to discuss what changes you’re looking to make or what issues you want to address.
When you’re dealing with painful joints from conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, there are certain supplements that can help bring you relief and comfort when you’re dealing with pain. Changing your diet can also help reduce inflammation and can help reduce the amount of pain you may feel in your joints on a daily basis.
When you’re looking to add supplements to your routine, you may have no idea where to start. You can visit your doctor and their supplement store for advice on what supplements may be best for you. They may be able to suggest a supplement for all of your needs and wants.
Following are some dietary tips that will help you keep your spine, joints, and muscles healthy:
- Ample amounts of water are essential from a dietary standpoint. Water keeps your cells hydrated and helps your blood work more efficiently in carrying nutrients throughout your body. Tea, coffee, sodas and alcohol actually have the opposite effect. Drinking excessive amounts of soda and other carbonated beverages could interfere with calcium absorption, which may lead to bone loss and osteoporosis.
- Calcium (in milk, broccoli, salmon, and kale) keeps your bones strong.
- Choose foods rich in fiber. A good rule to follow is an intake of 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. Foods rich in fiber include whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, nuts and some fruits and vegetables.
- Foods high in Vitamin C (such as broccoli, bell peppers, citrus fruits, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and strawberries) help ward off osteoarthritis. Vitamin B and amino acids may help reduce the pain from contact sports. Thiamine can help promote healing. Also consider Vitamin A to strengthen scar tissue. Fortified dairy products and fish rich in Vitamin D help preserve your cartilage.
- Organically grown foods usually have smaller amounts of toxins in them, so they are arguably safer and healthier.
- Raw foods retain vast amounts of minerals and other nutrients, which are destroyed or diminished by the process of cooking (canned tomatoes are the rare exception here). Eat the skins of fruits and vegetables because they often contain more nutrients than what's inside.
Proper nutrition is a big part of health and should be taken seriously. A proper diet can help impact many aspects of your life and can help you start feeling more excited and pain-free each day. Contact your doctor to learn more about nutrition and how supplements can help you.