PT Health Life – Although treatment, exercise and rest are important to recover from disc herniation, dietary adjustments are also necessary to limit and prevent pain recurrence.
1. The role of nutrition in treating disc herniation
Disc herniation is a common disease that often occurs in middle age. Over time, the outer ring of cartilage becomes fibrotic, the nucleus pulposus of the disc dries out, loses elasticity, herniates into the spinal canal and compresses the nerves.
The cause of pain due to herniation is usually due to degeneration and tearing of the disc annulus fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus will herniate through the tear and come out behind, causing nerve compression.
People with disc herniation will have typical symptoms of pain from the waist spreading to the buttocks, thighs, legs, and even the toes. Numbness of limbs, muscle weakness. In cases of severe hernia, there are symptoms of cauda equina disorder or cauda equina compression, such as incontinence or muscle atrophy .
When suffering from a herniated disc, the patient needs proper treatment and a reasonable exercise and rest regimen. In addition, dietary adjustments are also necessary to limit and prevent pain recurrence.
One effective way to minimize pain related to disc herniation is to adjust your diet. Patients should eat foods that help reduce inflammation naturally such as: green vegetables, ripe fruits, nuts such as almonds and walnuts; olive oil… At the same time, you need to avoid foods that tend to make inflammation worse.
the foods we eat every day play an important role in the health of the spine and intervertebral discs. To keep our bodies healthy, keep our bones strong and prevent the disease from getting worse, we need a reasonable, scientific diet.
In addition, people with disc herniation should also be careful to avoid unhealthy foods such as avoiding eating too much protein and high- fat foods , fatty meats, greasy fried foods… Foods containing purines such as animal organs, alcoholic beverages and stimulants such as alcohol, coffee, hot and spicy foods, etc. should be limited as much as possible because when used, they can stimulate inflammatory reactions in the joints. the pain becomes more severe.
2. Some foods that cause inflammation should be limited when having back pain
2.1 Limit refined sugar
Eating too much sugar can worsen the inflammation and pain of lumbar disc herniation. Therefore, to reduce pain, you should reduce your sugar intake. Foods containing sugar that are not good for health include: candy, soft drinks, soda, sugary cereals…
2.2 Say no to processed foods
Processed foods such as fried chicken, French fries, canned foods and pizza… are not good for the health of everyone, not just those with lumbar disc herniation.
This is because they contain high levels of saturated fat and trans fat, which can increase inflammation and cause pain. Instead we should eat whole foods like fruits, vegetables and lean meats.
2.3 Limit high-fat dairy products
High-fat dairy products such as cheese, butter and cream can increase inflammation in the body, leading to pain and discomfort for people with lumbar disc herniation. Therefore, if you feel pain or muscle stiffness, you should cut down on dairy products. Choose non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or soy milk.
2.4 Limit salt
Eating a lot of salt can worsen inflammation and lead to increased pain. Patients should avoid foods high in sodium such as canned foods, salted foods and processed foods. The best way is to prepare your own meals with fresh ingredients and minimal salt.
2.5 Avoid eating hot and spicy foods
Foods containing a lot of hot spices can also aggravate inflammation and increase pain from lumbar disc herniation. You should choose dishes with little spice, prepare them by steaming, boiling or choose milder spices to flavor the dish such as turmeric and dill.
2.6 Avoid foods containing purines
Meats and animal organs with high purine content such as red meat, liver, heart, kidney, brain; Anchovies, cod, herring… are foods that have a negative impact on people with herniated discs because they stimulate inflammatory reactions in the joints, making the pain worse.
2.7 Minimize alcohol and caffeine
Both alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate the body, which can worsen pain symptoms. Therefore, people with disc herniation should minimize alcohol consumption and should choose non-caffeinated drinks.
