An estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year, and Americans spend $33 billion each year on weight loss products. Yet, nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity is a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment and medical care.

From self-consciousness to physical limitations, many people feel that their size is keeping them from being the person they truly are. People who are overweight are also at higher risk for developing serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, arthritis, and gallbladder disease.

Guidelines for Good Nutrition and Weight Loss

The National Institutes of Health recommends that patients educate themselves on several nutritional issues to help manage their own diet and nutrition.

The basic recommended guidelines for a healthy diet and good nutrition for weight loss include the following:

• Reducing the number of calories in the daily diet


• Eating smaller portions as part of the diet


• Tracking meal composition, portion sizes, and nutritional content of the diet


• Learning methods of food preparation for a healthy diet


• Choosing nutritious meals that are lower in fat

Patients who reduce caloric consumption in their diet slowly but consistently are usually the most successful in maintaining their weight loss. Steady, controlled progress during a diet and weight loss program are generally more effective than sporadic and inconsistent changes in caloric intake and portion sizes.

The bones, muscles and other structures in the spine need proper nutrition so they are strong enough to support the body and to perform their other functions. As a general rule, it is recommended to include the following back-friendly nutrients into a daily diet.

Eating a balanced diet with the right amount and variety of vitamins and nutrients can reduce back problems by nourishing the bones, muscles, discs and other structures in the spine. While healthy nutrition calls for many vitamins and nutrients, this partial list highlights a number of healthy choices that can be directly beneficial for back pain patients.

Calcium has received much attention as the most prominent of bone minerals. It is essential for bone health and helps maintain the necessary level of bone mass throughout the lifespan, and especially in old age. Adequate calcium intake is particularly important to help prevent the development of osteoporosis, a disorder characterized by weak and brittle bones that can result in painful vertebral fractures in the spine. With bone and joint health becoming an increasing concern Beyond Osteo-fx was formulated to help support optimal bone and joint health. Beyond Osteo-fx supplies you with more than the daily recommended intake of calcium along with the nutrients needed to enhance calcium absorption by the body.

Magnesium is a key mineral in the structure of the bone matrix and is also required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. If blood magnesium levels drop, magnesium will be pulled from the bones. Magnesium deficiency is common and supplementation can assist in maintaining bone density and preventing back problems. This nutrient also helps in relaxing and contracting muscles, making it necessary for strengthening the muscles that support the spine.

Vitamin D3 helps the body absorb calcium, which is crucial for the development of strong and healthy bones. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D deficiency is common. Levels in the body can be measured with a blood test that can be ordered by your healthcare professional.

Vitamin C is necessary for collagen formation, the substance that holds the body together, found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons, and is an important part of the process that enables cells to form into tissue. It also functions as an antioxidant. Adequate vitamin C intake is vital for healing injured muscles, tendons, ligaments, and intervertebral discs, as well as for keeping the vertebrae strong.

Proteins are critical components of bone, although they can be easily overlooked with all the focus on minerals. Protein is a key building block for body structure, so daily consumption is critical for maintaining, healing, and repairing the bones, cartilage, and soft tissues. Proteins also play a key role in digestion and the functions of the immune system.

If one is not able to incorporate sufficient amounts of certain vitamins and nutrients into the diet through food, nutritional supplements can usually be taken to make up the deficit. Patients should take care to always consult a medical professional before significantly changing their diet or taking nutritional supplements.