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What Your Chiropractor Wants You to Eat

healthy foods

By Dr Brent Wells

Many people don’t realize it, but chiropractors do more than just fix your back, neck, or shoulder pain. Much more, in fact. One of the things you wouldn’t normally associate with a chiropractor is diet. Many chiropractic offices have a nutritionist on staff. Some doctors of chiropractic are also certified nutritionists. So learning what your chiropractor wants you to eat is a great way to stay healthy.

The reason for this is that chiropractors look at the body as a whole. It’s the underlying philosophy behind the medicine of chiropractic care. Our bodies are designed to function in harmony, as a unit. That’s why sometimes back pain isn’t actually caused by your back, your stiff and sore joints aren’t from exercising, and your chronic pain has more to do with your diet than you think.

This is why we’ve brought you this list of healthy foods that can keep your body functioning as it should. Help to ward off injury, joint pain, back pain, and illness by adding these foods to your diet.

Salmon

You’ve probably heard that salmon is healthy for you, but did you know that it can help your joints?

  • Salmon contains calcitonin, which can help reduce inflammation in your joints— including those of your spine.

  • This fish is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can work wonders for your blood vessels, keeping the blood flowing where it needs to go.

Mackerel

  • Mercury is a concern for some mackerel, but if you get a low-mercury option like Atlantic mackerel, you’ll be good to go. These fish are high in healthy fats that you should eat twice a week.

Chicken

Chicken is not only a lean meat, but it’s a healthy source of protein and other essential nutrients.

  • Chicken is high in omega-6 fatty acids and is low in saturated fat.

  • It also contains iron, copper, and zinc.

  • Good source of vitamins B6 and B12

Berries

Pretty much any berry you choose is good for you, but the big ones you should eat regularly include blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and raspberries.

healthy foods
  • Blueberries

    • Great source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C.

    • May reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

  • Cherries

    • Great source of vitamin A, calcium, potassium, folic acid, and fiber.

    • Also rich in antioxidants.

  • Strawberries

    • Excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, and manganese.

    • May reduce the risk of heart disease and oxidative stress.

  • Raspberries

    • Great for fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants.

    • Black raspberries may reduce the risk of heart disease when eaten regularly.

Beets

These purple veggies are packed with all sorts of goodies that can help you stay healthy in many ways.

  • Contain potassium, betaine, magnesium, nitrates, and vitamin C.

  • Can help improve cognitive function and circulation.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a powerhouse of helpful vitamins and minerals. It’s a great food to eat on a regular basis.

  • Contains magnesium, vitamin K, calcium, vitamin C, and iron.

Sweet Potatoes

Complex carbohydrates, like those found in sweet potatoes, digest slowly, are filling, and contain a ton of nutrients and vitamins.

  • Good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and calcium as well as magnesium and anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Great for weight control, muscle function, and clean, long-lasting energy.

healthy foods

Olive Oil

  • Extra virgin olive oil is a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory agent.

Turmeric

This spice has been used for thousands of years for its beneficial properties.

  • Its active compound is curcumin, which helps alleviate joint inflammation.

Leafy Greens

Spinach and kale are called superfoods for a reason. They have all sorts of amazing properties.

  • Great source of vitamin C, and fiber without having a high calorie count. They protect against obesity, heart disease, and chronic inflammation.

Nuts and Seeds

Eggs

  • Great source of protein, vitamin B12, B6, B2, D, selenium, copper, iron, and zinc.

Whole Grains

A few examples of whole grains include brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and buckwheat. They are great for a balanced and healthy diet.

  • Contain protein, antioxidants, fiber, and B vitamins.

  • May reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

How Do These Vitamins and Minerals Help Your Bones, Joints, and Back?

Now that you’ve seen what your chiropractor wants you to eat, you may be wondering how exactly they benefit your bones and what chiropractor’s actually treat. Let’s start with the first one.

  • Magnesium

    • Helps maintain muscles and bone density, both of which are big parts of a healthy, pain-free back and body. It’s also important for proper muscle function.

  • Iron

    • Iron is important in your diet because it’s needed for myoglobin production. This is essential because myoglobin functions as oxygen storage for muscles. And muscles, as we know, are very important for supporting your back and preventing injury.

  • Vitamin C

    • Aside from vitamin C’s important immune-boosting properties, it also helps in the production of collagen, which is important for joint health. It also helps to heal discs.

  • Calcium and Vitamin K

    • Both of these are important for bone health. Without enough vitamin K, calcium can end up in the kidneys and blood vessels instead of where it belongs in the bones.

  • Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

    • Antioxidants help prevent cell damage from free radicals, which are believed to contribute to heart disease and certain cancers.

    • An anti-inflammatory diet can benefit all aspects of your health by preventing chronic inflammation. When your joints are constantly inflamed, it can cause chronic pain. This is a fairly common cause of back pain.

Weight management is also an important factor in musculoskeletal pain. Those individuals who are overweight put more strain on their spines and are more likely to have chronic back issues.

What Do Chiropractors Treat?

The food you eat is incredibly important for your health and well-being. But so is the proper guidance at the proper time. That’s why chiropractors are ideal if you’re looking for natural, non-surgical solutions. But there’s still the question of what exactly chiropractors treat. Here’s a list of common issues:

  • Back Pain

  • Neck Pain

  • Shoulder Pain

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Whiplash Injury

  • Headaches

  • Vertigo

  • Spinal Osteoarthritis

  • Weight Loss

  • Stress and Anxiety Reduction

  • Lifestyle and Exercise Tips

  • Postural Correction

When you combine the right kind of nutrition with the right kind of professional medical guidance, you can accelerate the healing process and make big changes in your physical and mental health. We hope this article will get you started in the right direction.

About the Author

Dr. Brent Wells founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in 1998 and has been Anchorage’s most trusted chiropractor since. He is currently leading 10,000 Alaskans to more active and pain-free lifestyles without drugs or invasive surgeries. He brings a progressive and highly innovative approach to chiropractic care. Dr. Wells continues to further his education with ongoing studies in spine conditions, neurology, physical rehabilitation, biomechanics, occupational ergonomics, whiplash, and brain injury traumatology. He is also a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

Resources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-14403201

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-benefits-of-whole-grains

https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/why-nutritionists-are-crazy-about-nuts