HOW NUTRITION CAN HELP HEAL INJURIES FASTER ?

HOW NUTRITION CAN HELP HEAL INJURIES FASTER ?

In the sports industry, it is inevitable to avoid certain injuries. But the real question is, how to deal with it to recover  faster? Apart from proper rest and medications, right nutrition and certain supplements  help make recovery faster and better. However, how much time takes to heal depends upon the nature and severity of the injury.

How the body works for injury recovery?

A) Stages of healing and recovery phase :-  It is a complex process which involves overlapping phases.

1st stage :- Inflammation

Swelling, pain and redness is experienced.

2nd Stage :- Proliferation

Damaged tissues are removed and temporary tissues are built.

3rd Stage :- Remodeling

Stronger tissue replaces temporary tissue.

B) Rehabilitation and increased activity

This stage is demarcated for injuries which  involves immobilisation of the limbs.

Furthermore, complete recovery may take even longer if not supported by nutrition. There is muscle loss with immobility as there is resistance of muscle protein synthesis, due to anabolic resistance to disuse when an athlete is on bed rest or  limb immobilisation.

Nutrition support is crucial to reduce the length of time and negative aspects of reduced activity and immobilisation period.

Nutrition intervention for inflammation stage

Eating more of anti-inflammatory fats such as olive oil, avocados, and fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines, flaxseed oil, nuts and seeds.

Followed by  eating fewer pro inflammatory things such as processed food high in saturated fats, trans fats, refined foods and vegetable oils like corn, sunflower, soybean.

Including inflammation managing herbs and spices like use of turmeric and curry powder which has curcumin that helps in reducing inflammation.

Nutrition for Proliferation and Remodeling stages

Proper intake of energy is the first priority. Metabolism can help increase recovery and one needs more calories than a sedentary worker but less than the requirement during training.Balancing intake of dietary fat, so more of mono unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats acids in the diet.

Eat rainbow coloured veggies and fruits.

Eating enough of complex carbs like whole grains helps support proper recovery, including spouted grains and quinoa.

Nutrition intervention in limb immobilisation

Energy requirements need to to be met adequately.

Protein intake has to be equally distributed and intake of protein supplements with EAAs may help ameliorate muscle loss during muscle disuse following injury. It has shown to reduce the loss of muscle mass and strength.

Supplementation of certain nutrients maybe helpful for post injury :-

Calcium and vitamin D

Best Wellness Supplements

Assists with stress fractures, sprains and broken bones 

Food sources :- Egg yolk, fortified milk and milk products or vitamin d capsule.

Iron

Assists with extreme fatigue, decreased energy levels as it is critical for respiration and energy metabolism.

Food sources :- Dates, jaggery, green leafy vegetables, soybean and organ meat

Vitamin C and Vitamin A

They help reduce oxidative stress in the body and plays a role in tissue growth and repair, wound healing and bone maintenance and repair.

Food sources (Vitamin C) :- Oranges, lemons, alma, guava

                      (Vitamin A) :- Carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli

 

Nitric oxide and nitrates

They help increase the blood flow in the body and deliver nutrients effectively which helps reduce inflammation and optimise recovery.

In conclusion, proper nutrients if available through diet and supplements can help heal faster. Therefore, injured athletes should focus on eating well and ample rest for overall recovery.


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


You may also like

View all