An intervertebral hernia is formed when the cartilaginous tissue of the disc is destroyed. This most often happens with metabolic disorders and a lack of nutrients. At the same time, it is desirable that all the necessary trace elements enter the body not from drugs, but from food. Therefore, after operations and in the most severe cases of the disease, a therapeutic diet is necessarily prescribed. Special nutrition is also required for a hernia of the lumbar spine. Indeed, in this place, the slowdown in metabolic processes and circulatory disturbance are most felt. In addition, almost the entire body weight of the person falls on the lower back, so if there are extra pounds, the pathology will progress faster.
What happens with a hernia
The intervertebral discs serve as a shock absorber, protecting the vertebrae from shaking and shock with each movement. They are a fibrous ring made of cartilaginous tissue, inside which a soft pulpous nucleus is enclosed. The elasticity of the disk is ensured by a large amount of fluid in it. When it decreases, the core becomes less elastic, and the fibrous ring dries and crack.
The main reason for this is the natural aging process and a slowdown in metabolic processes. Less and less fluid and nutrients enter the disc tissue. As a result, the pulpous nucleus can seep through the cracks of the ring, bulging outward. This is the intervertebral hernia. Its consequence may be an infringement of the nerve roots or even the spinal cord. In addition to severe pain, this condition causes paresis or paralysis of the limbs, loss of sensation or disruption of the functioning of internal organs.
The main cause of intervertebral hernia
The destruction of the fibrous ring of the disc most often occurs when metabolic processes are disturbed. When they slow down, less and less nutrients enter the disk tissue, they dry out and become brittle. The receipt of the necessary components for powering the disk occurs due to diffusion, therefore, a sufficient amount of liquid and its circulation are still necessary. An intervertebral hernia can also occur due to osteochondrosis, increased stress on the spine or injury. Such pathologies also cause the destruction of the fibrous ring of the disk, as they can lead to circulatory disorders.
But still, the main reason for its damage is the lack of nutrients in the tissues, which leads to a loss of elasticity of the cartilage tissue. Such processes in most cases occur in the lumbar spine, since it is subjected to the highest stresses and circulatory disorders are more often observed here. Therefore, proper nutrition with a hernia of the lumbar spine is very important, it helps to restore metabolic processes and slow down the destruction of disk tissue.
The consequences of malnutrition
In addition to protrusion of the pulpous nucleus and infringement of the nerve roots, malnutrition of disk tissue can lead to other unpleasant consequences:
- cartilage tissue is deformed, and vertebrae may be damaged;
- the load on the spine is unevenly distributed;
- joints suffer as vertebral displacement occurs;
- a piece of disk may come off and enter the spinal canal, leading to paralysis or even death;
- as a protective reaction, scarring processes begin, which can lead to stenosis of the spinal canal.
The influence of nutrition on the development of pathology
The intervertebral discs are in great need of a constant supply of nutrients and the presence of a sufficient amount of fluid. Only in this way can their elasticity and resilience be maintained, and the disk will fulfill its functions. Especially strongly in the regular intake of nutrients the lumbar spine needs. After all, he is in constant motion and the load on him does not fall only in the supine position.
Nutrition for intervertebral hernia in the lumbar region must also be changed because most people consume more junk food. There are products that can aggravate the condition of the patient with this pathology:
- salt leads to the appearance of edema and an increase in compression of nerves, as well as to the deposition of salts;
- coffee, strong tea, carbonated drinks - lead to the removal of calcium from tissues;
- fatty meat causes the accumulation of cholesterol and circulatory disorders;
- alcohol causes vasospasm, which also leads to malnutrition of the disk;
- smoked meats and fried foods can lead to the development of cancerous tumors;
- the abundance of flour products disrupts digestion and prevents the absorption of nutrients;
- anything that contributes to weight gain leads to an increase in the load on the spine.
Basic principles of nutrition for hernia
It is believed that an intervertebral hernia, especially if it occurs against a background of degenerative processes, is an incurable disease. You can only slow down the destruction of the disk and prevent the infringement of the nerve roots. But you cannot completely repair damaged tissue. Therefore, it is recommended to follow a diet for a hernia of the spine of the lumbar for a long time. It is not very aggressive, it contains many tasty and nutritious dishes. Limitations are present in it, but not as severe as with many other diets.
In order to adhere to proper nutrition with a vertebral hernia of the lumbar spine, you need to follow a few rules:
- eat in small portions, but 5-6 times a day, so nutrients are better absorbed;
- the last time to eat 3-4 hours before bedtime, later you can eat an apple or drink kefir;
- flour products or sweets can be allowed only in small quantities and at breakfast;
- salt should be consumed as little as possible;
- eat more fruits and vegetables;
- drink at least 2 liters of water daily.
What nutrients should come with food?
To maintain a normal condition of the lumbar spine with a hernia, nutrition should provide the tissue with all the necessary substances and trace elements. Be sure their regular intake with food. What does the disk need to maintain its normal state and functions?
- First of all, it is a liquid. It provides the elasticity of tissues and the normal course of diffusion processes. The regular use of a sufficient amount of water is also necessary for the timely removal of toxins and metabolic products from tissues.
- Glycosaminoglycans are necessary to maintain the density and elasticity of the core of the disk. They contribute to the restoration of injured or elastic tissue.
- Vitamins and minerals are necessary not only for cartilage, but also for bone tissue. They also support normal blood circulation and metabolic processes.
- Regular intake of protein is very important. It is involved in the regeneration of damaged tissues and strengthens the muscles.
The role of vitamins and minerals
It is especially important that the diet for vertebral hernia contains all the necessary trace elements. It is vitamins and minerals that participate in the processes of bone and cartilage tissue formation, regulate nerve conduction, and participate in the work of muscles and in metabolic processes.
The most important trace elements for intervertebral discs are calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Seafood can become the source of phosphorus, and calcium can be dairy products. To get more vitamin D, you need to eat liver, butter and egg yolk.
Vitamins of group B, especially B12, B1 and B6, are equally important for normalizing tissue repair processes. It is they who participate in the transmission of nerve impulses, are responsible for the normal state of muscle fibers, regulate metabolic processes. They contribute to the regeneration of nerve tissue, improve muscle tone, due to which the pain in a hernia is reduced. For a sufficient supply of vitamins B, you need to eat more nuts, legumes, meat, eggs, liver, cottage cheese.
In addition, substances that are involved in the synthesis of collagen are needed. They maintain the elasticity of the cartilage tissue and prevent its cracking. These are glucosamine, chondroitin, as well as vitamins C and E. To increase the elasticity of tissues, you need to eat more dishes with gelatin, bone broth, cook jellied meat. Useful berries, citrus fruits, cabbage.
Antioxidants are also needed - substances that slow down the aging of tissues. In addition to vitamins C and E, it is vitamin A, selenium, unsaturated fatty acids. They are contained with vegetable oil, sprouted wheat, herring, egg yolks, carrots.
Drinking mode
Inadequate use of water leads to tissue loss and drying of the fibrous ring. It is water that maintains the resilience and elasticity of the disc. Fluid is needed so that it performs its depreciation functions. In addition, it provides the normal diffusion of nutrients, due to which the tissue of the disc is nourished. With its lack, the fibrous ring dries, the disk loses its elasticity. Therefore, a patient with an intervertebral hernia must drink at least 2 liters of water per day. In this case, it is undesirable to drink beverages with a diuretic effect. These are milk, coffee and tea, as well as decoctions of lingonberries and strawberries.
What is not allowed
In order to ensure proper nutrition in case of a vertebral hernia of the lumbar spine, it is necessary, first of all, to exclude some foods from the diet that can aggravate the patient's condition. In order for the processes of tissue repair to proceed normally, you need to refuse such food:
- pork, lamb;
- smoked sausages, bacon;
- canned meat;
- fried foods;
- pickled and salted vegetables;
- foods with lots of preservatives;
- flour products, pastry;
- spicy seasonings, sauces, ketchup;
- sugar, sweets;
- carbonated drinks;
- alcohol;
- coffee, strong tea;
- whole milk.
Useful products for hernia of the lumbar spine
To slow down the destruction of tissues and improve the condition of the patient, you need to not only adhere to these rules. It is not enough to exclude harmful products, it is necessary to ensure that all the substances necessary for the restoration of the disk arrive with food. In the diet with a vertebral hernia of the lumbar spine, it is necessary to include such products:
- seafood;
- oily fish - herring, halibut, mackerel, small varieties are better to eat with bones;
- onion and garlic;
- dairy products, especially cottage cheese and cheese;
- olive oil;
- jellied bones;
- gelatin products;
- nuts
- pumpkin, cabbage, lentils.
What should be included in the patient's diet?
Only a proper, balanced diet with a hernia of the lumbar spine can ensure the timely entry into the tissue of all the necessary nutrients. If you correctly compose the menu and diet, recovery will go faster. But do not think that such a meal will be tasteless, there are many nutritious dishes, the use of which will not cause discomfort. In addition, it is important that nutrition with a hernia of the lumbar spine does not lead to psychological problems due to severe restrictions.
The patient’s diet can be varied and tasty. It can include a large number of products:
- cottage cheese, cheeses, yogurts and other dairy products;
- beef, chicken, turkey, fish;
- liver;
- sea kale;
- any fruits and vegetables;
- dried fruits;
- cereals, brown bread;
- honey.
Sample menu
The diet for a hernia of the lumbar spine can be varied and tasty. You can create a menu for a week or determine what you can eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- For breakfast, cottage cheese, cereal or granola is suitable. They can be with fruit or milk. You can also eat steam omelet or soft-boiled eggs. It is better to drink compote from berries.
- For lunch, you need to eat vegetable or low-fat chicken soup. On the second - fish or meat with a side dish of buckwheat or vegetables. It is advisable to eat cabbage salad or vinaigrette.
- For dinner, baked vegetables, fish or vegetable and meat casseroles are suitable. Useful salads, vegetable stew.
Snacks are needed to ensure a constant supply of nutrients. It can be lunch and afternoon tea. For them, yogurts, fruits, nuts are suitable. Before going to bed, you can drink a glass of kefir. Such a diet will help accelerate recovery and ease the patient's condition.