How Nutrition Improves Healing After Spine Surgery

Spine surgery is a major medical procedure that requires careful recovery and rehabilitation. Rest, physical therapy, and medication all play critical roles in the healing process.                                                 

What if we told you that you had some control over how well you heal? The good news is you surely do! The food we eat has a profound influence on recovery, especially after surgery. Unfortunately, the role of nutrition as a healing tool is often overlooked. 

Let’s explore how various nutrients found in a variety of foods can play a vital role in helping you heal after spine surgery.

1. Promote Tissue Repair and Wound Healing

Following spine surgery, the body needs ample nutrients to repair tissues and heal wounds. 

• Protein. Getting plenty of protein is essential as it provides the building blocks necessary for tissue regeneration and repair. This is why protein is so important in spine surgery. We recommend you increase your protein intake during the days/weeks leading up to surgery and continue throughout the healing process. Be sure to check with your providers if you have dietary restrictions. Foods rich in lean proteins can aid in tissue repair and include chicken, fish, lean beef, eggs, milk, cheese, legumes, soy products, nuts and seeds. There are also many supplements out there in the form of bars, powders, and shakes that can make it easier to increase your protein consumption. Just be sure to watch out for artificial sweeteners and high sugar content.
• Vitamin C. An essential nutrient in the healing process, vitamin C helps build connective tissue. You can find it in citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, greens, raw cabbage, and melon. 
• Zinc. Another mineral that supports wound healing is zinc, which is found in oysters and other seafood, liver, lean meats, nuts, and seeds. 
• Vitamin K. This vitamin helps with proper blood clotting and the body’s ability to heal wounds. It can be found in green leafy vegetables such as kale and collard greens, as well as in broccoli, fatty fish, liver, and vegetable oils. 

2. Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response to surgery, but it can also hinder recovery. Certain foods have anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage this process. 

• Fats. “Healthy fats” are essential in our diets, but especially after surgery as they help reduce inflammation and promote healing. They also help you absorb certain vitamins and build your immune response. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseeds, and walnuts, should be part of your menu, as well as olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocado. Tip: Consider having some almonds on hand for an easy, healthy snack during the day! 
• Fresh fruits and vegetables. Certain fruits and vegetables contain what are known as antioxidants that help fight inflammation and can support overall recovery. Be sure to include berries, spinach, kale, and broccoli as part of your diet. Tip: Kale and broccoli also provide Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Folate, Vitamin B5. Make it easier for yourself by choosing foods that fall into more than one category!

3. Support Bone Health

Spine surgery often involves procedures that may impact bone structure and integrity. Talk to your surgeon if you are concerned about your bone health before your surgery. The following nutrients not only aid in bone repair but also help prevent complications such as osteoporosis. 

• Calcium. This vital mineral helps build and maintain bones, and it aids in muscle contraction. You can find calcium in dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, as well as soy products, turnip and mustard greens, collards, kale, broccoli, and almonds. 
• Vitamin D. The “sunshine vitamin” is crucial for bone strength and healing and helps the body absorb needed calcium. Many of us living in the northern hemisphere may be vitamin D deficient. Talk to your doctor about whether a supplement is right for you. You can also get vitamin D from fortified milk, butter, margarine, fortified cereals, liver, fatty fish, and egg yolk. 

4. Increase energy levels and enhance overall recovery

Recovering from spine surgery can be physically taxing, which is why eating foods that can help counteract this effect is essential. Small, frequent meals rich in nutrients can prevent energy dips and support a steady recovery process. For energy, be sure to include the following in your diet:

• Complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give the body sustained energy, help the healing process, and prevent muscles from breaking down. However, taking in the wrong types of carbohydrates can leave you feeling drained soon after consumption. Tip: Focus on whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread, or whole-grain pasta INSTEAD of simple carbohydrates such as white flour, sugars, and processed foods. 
• Fruits and vegetables. These should be a part of every meal as they provide energy and help with healing. They offer many vitamins, minerals, and fiber necessary for overall health.

6. Boost your immune system

Spine surgery can temporarily weaken the immune system, making it crucial to support immune function through nutrition. The following nutrients help strengthen the immune response, reducing the risk of infections during recovery.

• Vitamin A. Known for aiding in wound healing, it’s also vital for growth and maintenance of the skin. You can get your intake of vitamin A through carrots, sweet potatoes, dark yellow or green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, milk, cheese, liver, and egg yolk. Have a sweet tooth? You would be surprised at what you can do with sweet potatoes for a healthy, sweet treat! Tip: Look for sweet potato dessert recipes that can add essentials such as protein and healthy fats without adding extra, empty calories. 
• Vitamin E. This important vitamin has both antioxidant and disease-fighting properties. If you are taking supplements, it is important to STOP taking the supplement seven to 10 days before your surgery. You can find it in vegetable oils (e.g., corn or sunflower), beef liver, milk, eggs, butter, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals.
• Zinc. Just as it supports wound healing, it is also key for the immune system. Foods high in zinc include seafood (especially oysters), spinach, lean meats, lentils, nuts, and seeds. 

7. Supply the body with oxygen

Your body needs oxygen to function, and blood carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron is a mineral that the body needs to form hemoglobin so oxygen can be carried throughout the body. That can be found in many of the foods listed above, including liver, lean red meat, poultry, fish, iron-fortified cereals, legumes, dark leafy greens, and dried fruit. Tip: Add some exercise into your daily routine and the extra iron and movement will surely get that oxygen where you need it most for healing! 

8. Support healthy bowel movements 

Moving your bowels is always important, but it is especially so after surgery when some of the medications and anesthesia can slow things down. No one wants to be pushing hard stool out when they are recovering from spine surgery. This is where fiber comes in. 

Fiber is essential to keep your colon functioning the way it should and helps you to feel full. Be sure to eat a variety of fiber-rich foods, including pears, avocado, apples, bananas, carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts, lentils/other beans, quinoa, sweet potatoes, chia seeds, almonds, and oats. Fiber can also make you feel fuller longer and has also been associated with healthy weight loss! Tip: Start getting more fiber before surgery if you can and continue throughout your healing process. 

9. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

Proper hydration is often overlooked but is critical for recovery – and something you need if you are going to add fiber into your diet (because no one likes to feel gassy and bloated). 

Water supports cellular function, aids in digestion, and helps regulate body temperature—all essential for healing. Be sure to drink adequate water throughout the day, especially when taking medications that may require increased fluid intake (think pain medications!). Six to eight cups per day or more is often recommended for most people. Tip: It helps to always have a water bottle handy. Find a reusable bottle you like, which may help to motivate you to drink more! Also, adding some electrolytes into your water can help your body retain more hydration when you need it.

10. Eat a balanced diet 

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial post-surgery as excess weight can strain the spine and hinder recovery. A balanced diet can support weight maintenance, especially when it includes lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Portion control and mindful eating habits also contribute to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight during recovery.

As you can see, the role of nutrition in your recovery cannot be overstated. By focusing on a well-balanced diet with foods that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, you can optimize your body’s healing potential and improve your overall well-being. You may also find that it makes you feel good mentally as well! 

There are lots of tips and tricks that can make improving your nutrition easy and even fun. If you have questions, be sure to talk with your healthcare team about your specific needs and recovery goals. 

We have a simple guide to eating for recovery on our website, where you can also learn more about our spine program at The Miriam Hospital.