Nutrition and Spinal Cord Injury

There are many health concerns associated with a spinal cord injury. While the most obvious concerns relate to mobility and day to day activities, nutrition is exceptionally important for those who have suffered a spinal cord injury. Developing a well-balanced nutritional diet is important in adapting to the injured person’s level of activity. This type of diet can help support a healthy digestive system, support the immune system, help maintain a healthy body weight, and support bowel health.

Unfortunately, the above goals cannot be achieved simply by eating healthy foods. Nutritional experts recommend that supplements be used in order to support these nutritional goals of those with spinal cord injuries. Among the supplements recommended for those who with spinal cord injury are:

• Pro-Biotics
• D-Mannose
• Sugar with cranberry extract
• Vitamin D3
• Fish oils
• Digestive enzymes
• Vegetarian based protein power
• Magnesium
• Chromium
• Advance B Complex

Nutritional experts also typically recommend ongoing nutrition counselling to monitor and ensure that the nutritional goals are being met.

While supplements and nutritional counselling are yet another expense for those with a spinal cord injury, they are vital for the continued health of a person with a spinal cord injury.

About the Authors

KEVIN

The son of a grocery store clerk, Kevin grew up outside of Perth, Ontario. He credits his humble beginnings with the development of his underdog mentality, an approach he has carried into his legal career.

He attended McMaster University for two years before being granted early admission to Osgoode Hall Law School. After being called to the bar in 2008, Kevin began practising law in Hamilton before joining a leading Toronto litigation firm, representing Canada’s largest insurance companies on personal injury actions. “I didn’t find it fulfilling,” Kevin recalls. “I was helping companies save money, when what I wanted to do was help the people going up against these major corporations.” Since joining Oatley Vigmond, Kevin has used his insurance-industry experience to protect his clients and recover the compensation they deserved. He’d been at Oatley Vigmond for two months when he settled a matter for a client at a mediation. “You felt the burden of the litigation, and her injuries, lifting off her. I wanted to help even more people experience the relief of having their uncertainty lifted.’”

To learn more about Kevin, please click here.