Food as Medicine: Nutrition and Bone Health

Posted May 16, 2023 | By Jordyn Flannery

Many nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, protein, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium, play a key role in bone health. If you eat a healthy diet (with lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins), you’ll get enough of most nutrients needed to keep your bones healthy and functioning well.

Recipes can be found here.

Join Rothman Orthopaedics’ Dr. Jason Epstein and Allison Harrell, Registered Dietitian and Culinary Medicine Specialist, to learn more about how to keep your bones strong and taste delicious food to support your bone health.

About the Presenters:  

Allison Harrell is a registered dietitian nutritionist and plant-based chef who has been passionate about food and nutrition for more than 20 years. She advanced her knowledge by becoming a certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, certified in Weight Loss Management. Harrell believes that every time we eat, it is an opportunity to promote our health. She incorporates culinary experiences with a science-based approach. Her programs and tools make a positive difference in the health of our communities by instilling confidence and knowledge in the kitchen.

Jason Epstein, M.D., is a board-certified physician specializing in sports medicine. He completed his residency in family medicine at Inspira Healthcare Network in Woodbury, NJ and followed with a sports medicine fellowship at Halifax Health. He has served as a team physician for the Cincinnati Reds minor league affiliate Daytona Tortugas, Bethune Cookman University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona State College, Legacy Dance Studio, and several local high schools. He has previously worked with SpaceX to perform exercise treadmill testing for cardiovascular evaluation.

His areas of expertise include physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. He is fellowship-trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In addition, he is skilled in the management of sports-related concussion. He is active in research and has particular interest in core muscle and overuse injuries along with injury prevention.

Dr. Epstein is a native of New Jersey and grew up in Cherry Hill. He holds memberships among a number of professional societies, including the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.