Nutrition, Diet, Weight Loss

A Healthy Weight for a Healthy Back

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Experts agree that the best way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight level is through a balanced diet and exercise. For people with many types of back problems, regular exercise and, when necessary, weight loss, can help ease existing back problems and prevent future ones.

Calcium is Needed for Strong Bones

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Calcium is essential for maintaining the necessary level of bone mass to support the structures of the body. The body is constantly using calcium for the heart, blood, muscles and nerves. Calcium is also lost through normal bodily processes such as waste and the shedding of hair, fingernails, sweat and skin.

Calcium Requirements for Kids' Growing Bones

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:42:11 -0800

Over the last two decades women have learned about the profound problems of osteoporosis and inadequate calcium intake. Unfortunately, for most people, it is too little, too late. This is because the need for increased calcium acquisition and storage begins very early in life - especially in the pre-adolescent years.

Commit to a Healthier 2007

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:35:52 -0800

At the end of the year it’s easy to get caught up in family gatherings and holiday celebrations and lose track of longer-term goals. Yet, rather than wait until New Year’s Eve, now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2007. For most people who experience back pain or are close to someone who does, good health will most likely be at the top of the list. How do you turn those good intentions into reality so that next December brings not only the excitement of another holiday season, but also a sense of accomplishment?

Food for Thought: Diet and Nutrition for a Healthy Back

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Wholesome diet and nutrition

Glucosamine Side Effects

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Preliminary studies show glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate to be safe and well tolerated. Common side effects may include:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal upset

These side effects are reported in a small portion of patients. However, even substances that are found naturally in the body can have unpredictable results when taken in higher than normal quantities and in different formulations. This is particularly true with patients who are taking multiple medications or who have other diagnosed illnesses. For example:

Glucosamine: How Glucosamine Helps Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are naturally occurring substances found in the connective tissues of the body, including the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joints.

How glucosamine helps osteoarthritis

Glucosamine sulfate functions as the primary building block for proteoglycans, large molecules in cartilage that give it viscoelastic (buffering) properties. When taken orally, glucosamine sulfate is absorbed readily into the system and can be traced to cartilage as soon as four hours after consumption.
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Nutrition and Diet for Weight Loss

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Maintaining a good diet for long-term weight loss

Quite simply, obesity results when more calories are consumed than are burned by the body over a long period of time. Contributing to many Americans’ obesity or overweight condition are the combined effects of insufficient exercise and a high-calorie diet.

The National Institutes of Health recommends that patients educate themselves on several nutritional issues to help manage their own diet and nutrition. The basic recommended guidelines for a healthy diet and good nutrition for weight loss include the following:

Nutrition and Diet Tips

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

A healthy diet calls for a wide variety of nutrients and vitamins and provides many benefits, such as helping achieve and maintain a healthy weight level and providing one with enough energy and vitality for daily exercise. In addition to eating a variety of healthy foods for adequate nutrition, there are several other aspects of self care that help support and maintain a healthy diet over the long term.

Osteoarthritis Treatments: Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

For patients who have evidence of osteoarthritis in their spine (as seen on an x-ray) and who have had other causes of back pain and neck pain ruled out by their health care provider, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate may be a treatment option.

While glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin have been taken orally since the 1960’s in Europe, it is only recently that these supplements have been used in the United States as an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

Research on Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:00:35 -0800

Existing research on dietary supplements

Currently, there is relatively little research on the effects of nutritional supplements on spine health and specifically on osteoarthritis of the spine. At this point in time, existing studies of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are inconclusive as to whether or not the dietary supplements can prevent or reverse the joint cartilage degeneration associated with osteoarthritis.

Safe use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Consult a physician before taking glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate

Sources of Calcium in Food

spine-health — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:42:12 -0800

Any dietary source of calcium will count toward the child’s daily intake, but low-fat milk is clearly the most efficient and readily available. Lactose-free milk, soy and rice drinks have recently become more easily obtainable and less expensive.

In addition to milk, there are a variety of foods that contain calcium and can help children get sufficient levels of calcium in their daily diet. Some examples include:

Summary of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Studies

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Current studies show “a moderate benefit” for glucosamine sulfate and a slightly greater benefit for glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate when used for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip to treat pain (3). The only study that examined results for treatment of osteoarthritis of the spine did not have a large enough number of patients to support or reject the use of glucosamine sulfate and/or chondroitin sulfate.

Weight Loss and Exercise for Patients

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Once a patient has worked with a doctor to determine whether or not he or she is in need of weight loss, the patient is ready to develop an exercise and diet program to achieve the desired level of weight loss. Several practical guidelines that comprise a sustainable diet and exercise program are outlined below.

Weight Loss for Back Pain Relief

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

The effects of obesity

Patients who are overweight or obese and suffer from back pain may not be aware that their excess weight is actually contributing to their back pain. While it has not been thoroughly studied exactly how excess weight can cause or contribute to back pain, it is known that people who are overweight often are at greater risk for back pain, joint pain and muscle strain than those who are not obese (1).

Weight Loss, Diet and Nutrition for a Healthy Back - Patients' Advice

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Gallbladder can cause pain after losing weight quickly

In Response to Mike Browning in Portland Oregon-

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