Sciatica is a condition that causes tremendous pain, numbness and tingling down your leg. The sciatic nerve starts in your lower back and runs through the buttock and leg. You experience painful symptoms when your sciatic nerve is compressed or injured. Including certain types of nutrients in your diet may help alleviate some symptoms. If you decide to take a dietary supplement, talk with your physician first, as a precaution.
Calcium
Keeping your spine and bones strong and healthy may help treat or prevent back pain, explains the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. You need to consume 1,000 mg of calcium daily, either from food or dietary supplements. After age 50, women require 1,200 mg. Calcium, the most abundant mineral in your body, is available in many foods, such as dairy and leafy greens. Drinking an 8 oz. glass of milk each day provides nearly 300 mg of calcium, about one-third of the amount you need for the day. Your body can only absorb up to 500 mg at once. If your doctor suggests taking a dietary supplement, split up your doses into two or three servings. Having adequate calcium in your diet may help with your sciatica-related pain.
Vitamin D
You need vitamin D in your diet to help absorb calcium, giving additional strength and structure to bones. Without this vitamin, your body cannot efficiently absorb the calcium you need to help with sciatica. Vitamin D, called the "sunshine" vitamin, can be made in your body when skin is exposed to direct sunlight. You need 600 IU of vitamin D daily, which increases to 800 IU after the age of 70, states the Office of Dietary Supplements. Very few foods provide vitamin D, but salmon and tuna as well as fortified milk, orange juice and cereal provide adequate amounts if you eat them every day.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is involved in anti-inflammatory processes in the body. Getting enough vitamin E from food or supplements may prevent or treat inflammation from sciatica. You need 15 mg of vitamin E daily, which you can get from almonds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, spinach or broccoli.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is involved in making collagen, which is part of the structure of connective tissue, explains the Office of Dietary Supplements. When connective tissue in the spine breaks down or is damaged, you have an increased risk of compression, possibly causing your sciatica pain. Each day, men need 90 mg of vitamin C and women need 75 mg. Consuming vitamin C-rich foods, such as peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries and broccoli can help keep your connective tissue strong, relieving some of your discomfort from sciatica.
