Musculoskeletal Nutrition: Musculoskeletal conditions are non-communicable conditions/disorders and are the most common conditions that chiropractors and physiotherapists treat. Unhealthy lifestyle practices like smoking, an unhealthy diet, and little to no exercise or physical activity impact musculoskeletal disorders and remain the most common causes of physical disability and pain. Musculoskeletal conditions include:

• Back pain
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendonitis – inflammation of the fibrous tissues that connect the muscles to the bones.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Bone Fractures
• Fibromyalgia

A lack of proper nutrients increases the risk for bone, muscle, and joint disease. A proper diet combined with strengthening and stretching will help with injury recovery and help prevent disorders, injury, and pain. For example, inadequate consumption of calcium and vitamin D intake can lead to osteoporosis. Both nutrients are necessary for musculoskeletal health. Calcium helps build bone tissue, and vitamin D promotes calcium absorption.

Musculoskeletal Nutrition

Even physically active and healthy individuals’ can go through inadequate nutrition intake, increasing the risk of injury from its effect/s on rehabilitation and recovery. There are mechanisms to insufficient nutrient intake that can lead to muscle injury.

• Intense training causes skeletal muscle breakdown that can worsen from poor dietary protein intake.
• Not hydrating the body can compromise blood flow to working muscles, increasing the risk for injury and other health issues.
• Hydration influences the amount and composition of joint fluid and helps maintain articular cartilage.
• Deficiencies in nutrients like:
• Potassium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Chromium
• Copper
• Vitamins
• The lack of micronutrients and their role in bone and muscle metabolism increases the risk for injury and the development of musculoskeletal conditions.

Overall Health

Connective tissue holds the body’s bones and muscles together and is essential for joint integrity. Athletes and individuals with physically demanding jobs and lifestyles need to take care of their connective tissues to prevent degradation, injuries, and joint conditions, like arthritis and tendon injuries. It is recommended to have a diet that is:

• Low in grains and sugar
• High in bone broths
• High in quality protein from:
• Vegetables
• Berries
• Meats
• Eggs
• Unpasteurized fermented veggies
• Kombucha
• Fruit
• Healthy fats

Proper nutrition will help the body build, repair, and maintain healthy connective tissue. Things like:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Environmental toxins
• All affect hormone levels.
• Resulting in increased cortisol
• Decreased glucose absorption
• Inability to make glucosamine

Achieving optimal health requires all-around healthy lifestyle choices and musculoskeletal nutrition.

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Body Composition

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Superfoods

Many nutrient-rich foods can be incorporated into an individual’s diet to improve overall well-being. Superfoods are high in antioxidants and contain vast amounts of vitamins and minerals. A superfood is a food rich in compounds that are beneficial to an individual’s health. These compounds include:

• Phytochemicals – include antioxidants like polyphenols that provide anti-inflammatory properties.
• Fiber
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Superfoods are recognized by national nutrition guidelines as Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables or PFV. Antioxidants reduce free radicals and prevent and repair damage caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals accumulate in the body and can lead to chronic and degenerative illnesses like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. A diet rich in antioxidants can expedite recovery time from injury, illness, and physical activity/exercise-induced stress.

Anthocyanins are a type of polyphenol that become antioxidants that help reduce the incidence of chronic disease. They are different types of pigments found in plants, giving fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors. These include:

• Black beans
• Berries
• Cherries
• Pomegranates
• Peaches
• Eggplant
• Purple sweet potatoes

A diet rich in anthocyanins can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, help prevent cardiovascular disease, and control and prevent diabetes.

References

Craddock, Joel C, et al. “Vegetarian and Omnivorous Nutrition – Comparing Physical Performance.” International journal of sports nutrition and exercise metabolism vol. 26,3 (2016): 212-20. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0231

Mendonça, Carolina Rodrigues et al. “Effects of Nutritional Interventions in the Control of Musculoskeletal Pain: An Integrative Review.” Nutrients vol. 12,10 3075. 9 Oct. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12103075

Sale, Craig, and Kirsty Jayne Elliott-Sale. “Nutrition and Athlete Bone Health.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 49,Suppl 2 (2019): 139-151. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01161-2

Slavin, Joanne L, and Beate Lloyd. “Health benefits of fruits and vegetables.” Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) vol. 3,4 506-16. 1 Jul. 2012, doi:10.3945/an.112.002154

Tucker, K L et al. “Potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetable intakes are associated with greater bone mineral density in elderly men and women.” The American journal of clinical nutrition vol. 69,4 (1999): 727-36. doi:10.1093/ajcn/69.4.727