Scoliosis Nutrition:
Vitamins, Diet & Nutrient Therapies

Improved nutrition and supplements for scoliosis can help you or your child. New research shows nutritional deficiencies definitely have an influence on scoliosis. But, nutrition and supplements for adolescents with scoliosis is often ignored. 

An unhealthy diet and hormone/neurotransmitter imbalances can all contribute to scoliosis progression. Yet, poor nutrition by itself doesn't cause idiopathic scoliosis. Children either have the genetic predisposition or they don't.  But, studies do link worsening of the condition to nutrition deficiencies.

“It has become clear that scoliosis is a condition that affects far more than the spine.”

Clayton J. Stitzel DC

CEO, ScoliSMART

Scoliosis is a neuro-hormonal condition with genetic predisposition. The patient's brain should send messages to the muscles, telling them to straighten the spine as it grows. But when your child has scoliosis, the brain doesn't realize that the body's posture is not aligned, so it doesn't send these messages. This miscommunication — coupled with other factors — can trigger scoliosis progression. Get recommendations for avoiding scoliosis bracing sent directly to your email.

European studies link scoliosis progression with neurotransmitter and hormone deficiencies.  These hormones and neurotransmitters include serotonin, melatonin, and hormones, like estrogen. The brain communicates with the body via neurotransmitters and hormones. This communication can be delayed or blocked if the neurotransmitters and hormones are deficient. 

We use scoliosis specific testing to find hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances. Amino acids and specific B vitamin supplements (very safe supplements for scoliosis) can fix most neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, serotonin is crucial for the body's proper dynamic postural control. Plus, the body converts serotonin into melatonin, which is another deficiency linked to scoliosis.  This also improves "Posture Memory" for patients using a scoliosis rehab program. The ScoliSMART BootCamp program uses specific exercises to create new posture memory. 

Re-balancing hormones in scoliosis patients is often done with non-drug nutrient therapies.  Specific enzymes may also be needed to improve hormone metabolism.

A study by Wiley InterScience finds that many idiopathic scoliosis patients have low selenium. Tests have also shown that scoliosis patients have high levels of Osteopontin (OPN), which regulates bone growth. If your child has a selenium deficiency, it may be causing high OPN levels and abnormal bone growth.  200 micrograms of selenium (L-selenomethionine) daily can decrease OPN levels.  It may slow or end the risk of rapid scoliosis progression. This may be one of the supplements to avoid after spinal fusion. 

Other supplements to consider after nutritional screening include:

• Inflavonoids. These herbal pain relievers combine herbs like:
  • Ginger
  • Turmeric with lemon bioflavonoids
  • Curcumin supplements for lower back pain and scoliosis
  • Vitamin C
  • The anti-inflammatory herbs help keep the body’s stress response down. The vitamin C helps support the muscles and connective tissue that hold the spine in place.
• Digestive aids. A digestive enzyme formula such as ScoliZyme can help counteract the digestive problems. This is common with scoliosis. ScoliZyme is one of the best supplements to help scoliosis. A probiotic that promotes healthy bacteria in the intestine is also useful for supporting digestive health.
• EPA-DHA Complex. These omega-3 fatty acids play a critical role in helping the brain function. Effective scoliosis treatment requires retraining the posture memory. Omega-3s help support this process. There are recommended supplements for teens with scoliosis.
• Probioplex. This probiotic and protein blend promotes healthy bacteria in the intestine. Gut bacteria affects the way the body metabolizes hormones, leading to a loss of bone density.
• Collagenics. This unique combination of:
  • Free-form amino acids,
  • Key minerals
  • Other nutrients
  • Help support healthy connective tissue, which aids in the development of postural strength.
• Vitamin D3. Vitamin D plays an essential role in helping the body absorb calcium. This is necessary for increasing bone density. It also supports the metabolism as well as neurological functions.
• Multigenics. This blend of vitamins supplements for scoliosis, calcium and amino acids improves liver health. A healthy liver allows the absorption of vitamins D, E, K and A. It also produces key enzymes that help transport nutrients.

Patients can boost the effectiveness of treatment with diet and the best supplements for scoliosis. Reducing some of the factors that spur the condition’s progression is also a possibility.

Improving your family's diet to support your child can reduce the risk of scoliosis progression. These diet suggestions are good for anyone, with or without scoliosis. 

Eating foods that have chemical additives and preservatives can cause chronic inflammation. Inflammation is a stress response that causes the body to release cytokines.  Over time, this leads to bone loss. People with high indicators for inflammation suffer 73 percent more hip fractures. It also depletes your muscles — and weak muscles have a much harder time holding the spine in position.

Many chemical additives deprive the bones and muscles of nutrients.   For example, salt causes excessive calcium excretion through the kidneys.  Sugar and soda inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Alcohol contributes to low bone mass and limits bone formation. Caffeine leaches calcium from bones at the rate of 6 milligrams of lost calcium for every 100 milligrams of caffeine ingested. 

Doctors also recommend limiting citrus fruits and juices (including tomato juice).  The citric acid from which can cause the body to move calcium from the bones to the blood. This causes the skeletal structure to weaken.  Scoli Strong Bone Formula has been specially designed for patients with scoliosis.

It may seem overwhelming to drop all the foods and additives linked to both poor health and scoliosis progression. Start by reading labels. You may not realize where salt, sugar and additives are hiding in your food. Then, look for healthier substitutes, such as whole-grain flours instead of white flour. Buy organic fruits and vegetables as often as possible. Non-organic foods often have:

• Alcohol
• White flour
• Soda — both regular and diet
• Soy — including soy milk and all soy products
• Coffee and tea — herbal teas are okay
• Sugar — Stevia is a great substitute
• Salt — moderate amounts of sea salt are okay
• Chocolate — small amounts of dark chocolate are okay
• Greasy and fried foods — especially from fast food restaurants
• Corn syrup — also high fructose corn syrup, crystallized corn syrup and agave
• Packaged luncheon meats — they contain many food additives and preservatives
• Artificial sweeteners — including NutraSweet, Splenda, Equal, Aspartame, Saccharin, Neotame, Acesulfame and Sucralose
• MSG and other additives —
  • gelatin, calcium caseinate,
  • monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP),
  • textured protein, monopotassium glutamate,
  • hydrolyzed plant protein (HPP), yeast extract,
  • glutamate, autolyzed plant protein,
  • yeast food or nutrient, glutamic acid, sodium caseinate, and autolyzed yeast

• Citrus fruits and citrus juices — including tomato juice

• Fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables
• Organic meats

Correcting your or your child's nutritional imbalances, can also improve your family's diet. You can support your child and reduce the risk of scoliosis progression. These diet suggestions and Early Stage Scoliosis intervention are crucial. Most often, scoliosis genetic testing is the best and most accurate place to start for patients.

Don’t know where to start?  Take our FREE “ScoliQuiz.”  (No x-ray required)

Don’t know where to start? Take our FREE “ScoliQuiz.” (No x-ray required)

ScoliSMART Clinics is committed to treating the WHOLE scoliosis condition, not only the curve. Genetic & clinical testing with targeted nutrient therapies, expert in-office treatment programs, and the world’s only ScoliSMART Activity Suit provides patients of all ages with the most comprehensive, most effective, and least invasive treatment options available worldwide.