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Want to discover how you can speed up your spinal cord injury recovery in Miami, FL? Check out the top 7 vitamins you need to heal faster.
Navigating your journey to spinal cord injury recovery in Miami, FL, can be a lot better with the right vitamins on hand. With proper nourishment, you can boost your chances of healing faster and more effectively. The question is, do you know the top vitamins used by patients with spinal cord injury (SCI)? We’ve gathered the best vitamins to use to speed up and support your healing process.
Find out how you can benefit from each vitamin for spinal cord injury recovery and where you can source them.
Expecting mothers are no stranger to taking folate supplements and eating folate-rich food products. That’s because studies strongly associate folate with the development of the nervous system of an unborn child.
However, besides this health benefit, studies find that folate also appears to speed up nerve cell regeneration after an injury such as a spinal cord injury. You can get enough folate from eating leafy veggies, chickpeas, liver, and brussels sprouts.
Many patients with SCI have vitamin D insufficiency due to limited sun exposure. Unfortunately, a lack of vitamin D can heavily impact the quality of your bones, especially the spinal column. This naturally occurring vitamin also aids in protecting the body from illnesses and sending muscles signals about your movement and body coordination.
If you want to increase your body’s vitamin D supply, we suggest spending a few hours under the sun. Alternatively, you can turn to food sources like egg yolks, oily fish, and red meat.
Studies show that docosahexaenoic acid or DHA comes quite handy for patients undergoing task-specific SCI rehabilitation. It aids in rebuilding or creating nerve pathways to restore the normal function of the body.
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid found in cold-water fish like cod, herring, tuna, and mackerel. You can also get DHA from plant-based oil, nuts, seeds, and food supplements.
If you have started your path to spinal cord injury recovery in Miami, FL, you should also make sure to include alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in your diet. ALA is one of the most common types of Omega 3 fatty acids. A 2010 study on spinal cord injury explains that ALA serves as a highly potent antioxidant.
It comes in handy in protecting your damaged spinal cord from additional trauma due to oxidative stress. ALA also functions in energy production.
While some food items like spinach, broccoli, liver, and potatoes contain ALA, it’s better to take ALA food supplements. Studies share that about 30 to 40 percent of oral ALA gets absorbed by the body.
Apart from helping you maintain supple and young-looking skin, vitamin E is also a powerful supplement that can enhance your SCI recovery rate. It protects your body from further neuronal damage and enhances cell communication and metabolism. It’s also valuable for boosting your immune system’s protective mechanism against other diseases.
You can get your daily dose of this water-soluble vitamin from food sources like asparagus, sunflower seeds, beet greens, spinach, avocado, pumpkin, and mangoes. You can also take Vitamin E supplements from your favorite health brands.
Vitamin B12 serves several crucial body functions, including supporting bone health, improving mood, and preventing risks for anemia. As a result, it helps patients to recover faster and prevent the development of SCI complications.
One study urges neurologists and physicians to consider prescribing vitamin B12 for their SCI patients, especially those with psychiatric or neurologic symptoms. Often, such symptoms go away if you get them treated as early as possible.
If you’re keen on using vitamin B12 for spinal cord injury recovery in Miami, FL, you can try taking vitamin B12 supplements. Also, you can add clams, tuna, trout, low-fat dairy products, and beef liver to your usual diet.
Although taken in small quantities, magnesium aids over 300 metabolic processes of the body. Some examples of these processes include energy production, nerve damage protection, and muscle contraction. Sadly, studies show that patients with spinal cord injury also suffer from magnesium deficiency. This increases the risk of developing muscle numbness or tingling, cramps, personality changes, and seizures.
To prevent the onset of these health problems and protect your central nervous system from further damage, we suggest addressing your magnesium deficiency.
You can take oral supplements according to your doctor’s prescription. Also, you can consume food products packed with magnesium, such as avocados, nuts, legumes, seeds, and tofu.
One essential nutrient for nerve regeneration is alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which has been proven effective in promoting nerve repair, particularly in cases of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy. Research has shown that intravenous alpha lipoic acid administration can improve symptoms and nerve function in patients with these conditions.
Aside from its intravenous form, alpha lipoic acid supplements are available for oral consumption. Be sure to consult your doctor for the appropriate dosage and administration method, particularly if you are managing diabetes alongside your spinal cord injury recovery.
In addition to the vitamins mentioned above, there are other supplements that can promote cell regeneration and aid in spinal cord injury recovery. Some of these supplements include:
Always consult with your healthcare professional before incorporating any new supplements into your regimen, as some may interact with medications or have side effects.
Essential oils have been used for centuries for their therapeutic properties. Some essential oils have been found to be beneficial for those with spinal cord injuries due to their ability to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote relaxation. Some essential oils to consider include:
It’s important to remember that essential oils should be used with caution and under the guidance of a qualified professional. They should be diluted properly and never applied directly to the skin without a carrier oil.
In addition to the vitamins and supplements mentioned above, there are specific nerve regeneration supplements that can help with the repair of nerve damage caused by spinal cord injuries. These include:
As always, consult with your healthcare provider before incorporating these or any other supplements into your spinal cord injury recovery plan.
A well-rounded approach to spinal cord injury recovery includes proper nutrition, supplementation, and the use of essential oils when appropriate. Incorporating the right vitamins and supplements, such as alpha lipoic acid for nerve regeneration, can significantly improve the healing process and overall quality of life for those recovering from spinal cord injuries. Always consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your individual needs.
Taking the right vitamins for spinal cord injury recovery can go a long way. It can significantly change how fast you can heal from physical trauma. The right vitamins can also decrease your risk for complications and other disheartening problems that may follow after your injury.
We hope you take advantage of our quick guide to SCI recovery vitamins above. Feel free to share the list with your loved ones or friends with SCI. You can also consult with your doctor to find the perfect balance of nutrients to help you with your journey.
At first, spinal cord injury recovery in Miami, FL, may seem an impossible feat. It can make you feel helpless, discouraged, and anxious, thinking that a bleak future awaits you and your loved ones.
Thankfully, with the right people on board, like our team of activity-based therapists, enough nourishment, warm support from your loved ones, and unbreakable resolve, you can thrive after a spinal cord injury. Indeed, you can enjoy a happy life even after a paralyzing spinal cord injury.
Want to learn the essential steps to live a full and content life after surviving paralysis? Download our eBook and understand how you can accept and take control of your new reality.
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