Modern lifestyles mean that, as a population, our musculoskeletal systems are negatively impacted. Not only do the majority of us have office jobs in which we’re sat down for eight hours a day, but our busy work schedules mean that we often rely on fast food for convenience. On top of this, the rising cost of living means that paying for the gym isn’t an option for a lot of us. Despite this, our bodies require physical activity to function healthily and we’re also in need of the correct food to aid our musculoskeletal heath.
What is the Musculoskeletal System?
As the name suggests, the musculoskeletal system refers to a muscular and skeletal system, which is comprised of muscles, bones, tissues, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. It’s our musculoskeletal system’s duty to aid our body in supporting our weight, as well as stability and movement. Since our bones and muscles are very intertwined, they have a direct impact on one another, which is why the term musculoskeletal was established.
Muscles are strands of protein and bones are formed from collagen and calcium. As a result, it’s no secret what you should be eating to benefit your musculoskeletal health. On top of this, you’ll also need to eat minerals, vitamins, and carbs to maximize your musculoskeletal performance.
Eggs
Eggs have long been deemed one of the best forms of protein, as they’re comprised of all essential amino acids. As well as this, they are rich in vitamins, meaning that they aid you in calcium absorption. Similarly, their versatility means that they can be effortlessly added to all manner of dishes, whilst their affordable price tag means that they won’t break the bank.
Grass-Fed Beef
Although there are high levels of protein in fish and chicken, beef comes out on top as far as vitamins and minerals are concerned. In addition to this, beef also contains vaccenic acid, stearic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid.
Vaccenic acid is effective in increasing adiponectin, which assists your body in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.
Stearic acid minimizes the amount of cholesterol in plasma and the liver.
Conjugated linoleic acid optimizes brain function and cardiovascular health, as well as increasing bone density and contributing to fat loss.
Dark Leafy Greens
Argula, kale, and spinach are each high in vitamins and loaded with calcium. On top of this, they also contain a lot of magnesium, which aids the body in absorbing calcium. As a result, the calcium will successfully make its way to the bones, rather than being deposited within the soft tissue. Calcium being deposited into the soft tissue is what leads to conditions such as arthritis, meaning that you’ll want to avoid this where possible.
Cheese
Cheese often gets a bad reputation due to its high fat content. Despite this, cheese is rich in calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A, zinc, phosphorus, and protein. If you’re someone who is particularly concerned about the fat content in cheese, you can always opt for the low-fat or fat-free options, as these are readily available in the majority of supermarkets these days.
Almonds
Almonds are very nutritious and contain a healthy combination of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, protein, and carbs. On top of this, they’re also a good source of vitamin E, which is a natural antioxidant that aids your body in minimizing cholesterol and also optimizes your skin health.
Foods to Avoid
As there are foods you should consciously consume, there are of course foods that you should consciously avoid in aid of your musculoskeletal health. These include soda, alcohol, and processed meats.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.