Nutrition for Musicians

Unlike other artists, vocalists’ instrument is embedded in their body. 

The good news about this is that maintaining and repairing your instrument is considerably less expensive and way easier than maintaining and repairing a Stradi. 

The challenging news is that in order to maintain the good shape of your instrument, you will need to maintain the health of your whole body. 

As a rule of thumb, the organ you use the most is the organ more prone to wear and tear effects, such as infections, overuse, allergies, etc… 

And since your instrument is solely the respiratory system (with the help of some 36 muscles), it should be given special care.

Where ever the air passes while you sing is your main area of focus.

What are the risks? 

Funny enough, besides environmental pollution, oxygen is an oxidative matter. This means that the lungs, airways and vocal cords are exposed to more free radical damage than any other organ. 

Highly acidic foods and beverages like refined sugars, processed foods, alcohol and smoke (weed, tobacco or even a fire pit). This will sometimes cause the inflammation of the pharynx and esophagus and the weakening of immunity of the throat area.

In addition to this, exhausting the system, which is a profession necessity results in lower “local” immunity increasing the chances of respiratory system infections, vocal polyps and nodules, allergies - laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx), bronchitis (inflammation of lungs), throat infections, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) are some of the possible profession related health conditions. 

All the above can dramatically alter the quality of your performance and your overall health. 

Suggestions:

Supplement your diet with powerful antioxidant GLUTATHIONE – alternatively, eat a diet rich with SULPHUR, VITAMIN C, SELENIUM, METHIONINE, CYSTEINE those are precursors of glutathione that will help your body make more of it. This anti-oxidant and Vitamin C are crucial for the health of your respiratory system 

Vitamin A: Draws moist to mouth, throat, lungs and protects the integrity of the cells 

Magnesium: Stress relief mentally and physically (see stress posts) 

Milk thistle, turmeric, fenugreek and thyme are powerful herbs that draw moist to mucus membranes, prevent the oxidative stress effect and boost immune system

Good sleep (post on sleep)

Deep breathing techniques (post on breathing)

Lower stress level (posts on stress and depression) 

Avoid alcohol and smoking