The Effects of Nutrition and Diet on Recovery from Spinal Cord Injuries

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The term “diet” is disliked by many because it suggests a deprivation of “fun” foods and a limitation to only foods that are prescribed for a specific purpose. The term “nutrition” is perceived as better because it suggests health and well being. But the terms are not mutually exclusive. Their relationship emanates from the fact that nutrition is the sum of food consumed by an individual, while the word “diet” implies the use of specific intake of nutrition, perhaps for health or weight management. Particular dietary choices may be more or less healthy or useful for an individual at any point in time.

Proper nutrition requires the ingestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals and food energy in the form of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Dietary habits and choices play a significant role in the quality of life, health and longevity. The focus of NeuLife’s post-acute rehabilitation is to foster the health and well being of the whole person, even those with the most difficult and challenging diagnoses. NeuLife’s goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for each client. The attainment of that goal requires, in part, ensuring proper nutrition for each client, which is a vital part of each client’s personalized Client Goal Plan.

It has long been known that proper nutrition is important to every individual’s overall health and bodily function. However, with respect to individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke and consequent cognitive deficits, comparatively recent research has underscored the importance of nutrition to achieving successful sustained outcomes. Specifically, an abundance of certain nutrients can positively affect cognitive processes and emotions. Some research explains the influences of dietary factors on neuronal functions and synaptic plasticity and reveals some of the important mechanisms responsible for the interplay between diet, brain health and mental function[1]. An example is the relationship between parts of the vagus nerve for monitoring aspects of digestion and the brain. The vagus nerve, the major nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for conserving energy as it slows the heart rate, increasing intestinal and gland activity and relaxing muscles in the gastrointestinal tract), innervates several organs from the neck to the abdomen. The vagal branches contain afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) fibers contributing to a bidirectional communication between the visceral organs and the brain. Among their functions is to monitor aspects of digestion, such as enzymes and food absorption[2]. Consequently, as the brain must be “fed” in its non-injured state, it must especially be “fed” in its injured state; the precise dietary requirements of the client must be ascertained and adhered to. Further, nutrition and absorption must be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure the physical and cognitive progress of NeuLife clients. The professional staff at NeuLife, including neurologists, dieticians and RNs, is skilled at developing, implementing and monitoring Client Goal Plans that recognize the importance of nutrition to the client’s rehabilitation from traumatic brain injury and its consequences.

Individuals who have sustained spinal cord injuries also have specialized dietary and nutritional needs, but of a slightly different sort. Many of the needs result from the fact that during the acute care phase and during the early stages of post-acute rehabilitation, ambulation is limited and immobility is the main problem. Therefore some of the potential concerns that must be addressed in post-acute rehabilitation include:

  • Weight gain: Can result from reduced mobility, diets that are low in fiber and reduced energy requirements (related to reduced mobility). In turn, the weight gain can result in cardiovascular issues, diabetes, hypertension, skin breakdown and other morbidities. In order to attend to these issues, NeuLife provides innovative care and rehabilitation, including nutritional guidance to restore optimum health and advance its client toward independence.
  • Weight loss: Can result from fatigue, depression and diminished appetite. It can also result from reduced activity levels, reduced exercise, and, due to the lack of activity and exercise, diminished muscle mass. Consequences of weight loss can include skin break down, compromised immune system and fatigue resulting in further immobility, involuntary bowel movement, constipation and abdominal swelling. Innovative nutritional and psychological interventions and other clinically relevant services are available to the clients of NeuLife as part of specialized rehabilitation programs.
  • Bowel dysfunction: Can result from compromised nervous system function, immobility, a diet that lacks sufficient fiber or fluids, medication side effects or other causes. This problem can lead to involuntary bowel movements, constipation and abdominal distension. NeuLife can provide therapy for bowel training and nutrition to alleviate the onset or continuation of it.
  • Osteoporosis: A frequent result of immobility. It can lead to loss of bone density, fractures, increased immobility and other problems. NeuLife’s dieticians, physicians, physical therapists and rehabilitation teams will work together to formulate and implement an innovative Client Goal Plan consisting of clinically relevant services for clients who have sustained spinal cord injuries.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourage, assist and support each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to increase function and independence. NeuLife seeks to achieve, for all of its clients, maximized, sustained outcomes that exceed the expectations of all persons served.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic amputations and other catastrophic injuries.

 

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

Call: 800.626.3836

Email: Info@NeuLifeRehab.com

Visit: NeuLifeRehab.com

 

[1] Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function, Gomez-Pinila, Fernando, Department of Neurosurgery and Physiological Science, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, 2010

[2] GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Nathalie Stakenborg, Martina Di Giovangiulio, Guy E. Boeckxstaens,

Gianluca Matteoli, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Translational Research Center for GastrointestinalDisorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Philosophy & Mission

It is the mission of NeuLife as an organization to provide a comprehensive program of neurologic rehabilitation to support and promote the improvement of the quality of life for our patients.

As with all NeuLife provisions and specialized services, clients and designated family members and/or legal guardians participate in the referral, assessment and admission process. All services provided and those offered to our clients are arranged and coordinated by our care coordinators and are all-inclusive in a comprehensive per diem specific to each client.