Military dietitians test mTBI patients for nutritional deficiencies, design individualized nutrition plans
By Ming Shen. This article was initially published in our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.
As outlined in an article on the Military Health System website, individualized nutrition plans have been added to treatment regimens at several TBI clinics. Some clinics in the Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain health, a system of 13 clinics for TBIs, have integrated nutrition plans into treatment programs for “active duty service members diagnosed with mild-to-moderate TBI and associated health conditions.” These nutrition plans are created by registered dietitians who are military veterans, facilitating connection and trust with the patients.
Dietitians Ruth Clark and Isa Kujawski highlight that anti-inflammatory diets are essential for TBI patients, as TBIs can lead to brain inflammation. “Inflammation is one of the first things I educate patients on,” said Kujawski. “It’s the body’s defense mechanism but can cause damage over time. That’s why adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is so important, especially for brain health.” Various studies have found foods such as whole grains, legumes, colorful vegetables and fruits, and fatty fish to be beneficial for inflammation, while fried, packaged, and processed foods can worsen inflammation.
Recent research has shown that changes in a TBI patient’s diet can help alleviate symptoms that hinder the improvement of a TBI. For example, dietary changes can help with symptoms such as depression and gut health problems. For instance, Clark tests her patients to assess for nutrient deficiencies, “especially folate and vitamins D, B6, and B12.” Clark has found that many of her patients have low vitamin D levels, which can contribute to depression, fatigue, and anxiety. Dietitians can design diets to address specific nutritional deficiencies. TBIs are also associated with gastrointestinal problems, and adjusting the patients’ diets may aid in relieving gut inflammation and related symptoms.
