Injury Recovery: The Role of Nutrition
Disclaimer: The writers and publishers of www.mangiarellirehabilitation.com are not nutritionists or registered dietitians. All nutrition information presented and written within www.mangiarellirehabilitation.com is intended for informational purposes only. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health. Nutritional information in this blog post cites reputable research and experts in the field of nutrition.
As physical therapists working with patients as they recover from surgery and injury, we recognize that nutrition can play an important role in your recovery.
Adequate nutrition during recovery from an injury can help to control inflammation, provide the necessary nutrients to rebuild and restore injured tissue, decrease the risk of muscle atrophy, and preserve muscle strength.
As an athlete, it is important to maintain sufficient energy intake because your metabolic rate actually increases 15 to 20% after an injury or surgery as the body prepares to repair the injured tissues. Under-eating can slow your recovery and contribute to loss of muscle as the body doesn’t have sufficient energy from food intake to repair the tissues.
Nutrition experts recommend athletes eat a balanced, whole-food, antioxidant-rich diet of lean protein, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and unprocessed foods to promote overall optimal health.
During the recovery stages after an injury, there are recommendations to increase the intake of particular foods to supply the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for tissue repair and to preserve muscle mass.
Role of Protein: Protein helps build and repair muscle, so it is essential to consume a sufficient amount of quality lean protein throughout the recovery process to decrease the loss of muscle mass and stimulate muscle protein synthesis.
Role of Carbohydrates: The availability of carbohydrates influences the synthesis and building of protein, which in turn builds and repairs muscle. Eating a balance of carbohydrates with protein is key to support recovery and facilitate protein building in the body.
Role of Healthy Fats: Fats are important structural building blocks in the body. Eating anti-inflammatory, omega-3-rich fats can help reduce inflammation in the body and support the recovery process. Limit inflammatory omega-6 fats that are found in deli meats, palm oil, and processed foods.
Role of Fiber: Eating fiber-rich foods not only helps to prevent constipation resulting from medications associated with injury and surgery, but also supports your overall gut health and hormone regulation
Role of Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Certain vitamins and minerals contribute to wound healing, tissue repair, immune function, and optimal cell function. These include Vitamins C, A, and D and zinc that can be found in fruits and vegetables.
Role of Hydration: Proper hydration is essential to ensure the delivery of nutrients to the tissues as they recover and supports the function of joints and soft tissues.
