Does Nutrition Matter When You’re Injured?

Does Nutrition Matter When You’re Injured?

So, all of us have tweaked something in the gym at some time or another.  Many of us have gotten injured during an athletic activity.  The recommendations are usually RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), during the first seventy-two hours and then begin some form of rehabilitation.  However, no one ever discusses what your nutrition should look like while you are recovering.  Proper nutrition while injured or while rehabilitating can make the biggest difference in speed of healing and overall recovery.  Nutrition is the missing link in all of rehabilitation.  You can be doing everything correctly, but if your diet stinks, you won’t heal! Dr. Scott Schreiber,  certified rehabilitation specialist and Double certified Chiropractic Physician, shares how important nutrition is when you are recovering.

Where should I begin?

So you’ve been injured.  You want to make sure that you give your body the best tools for rehab.  This includes the fuel and tools that it needs to heal.  You also want to avoid foods and lifestyle habits that promote inflammation.  Some say inflammation is a good thing.  I agree, it is a natural process, but too much of any good thing can cause increased pain and prolong recovery.

What should I avoid?

Alcohol consumption after an injury can significantly slow recovery time.  More research has to be done to determine how much, but current thinking recommends avoiding it all together.  This data can also be extrapolated regarding muscle recovery after training.  Tissue is microscopically damaged after an intense training session, and alcohol consumption will slow recovery which will slow gains.

Sugar has been shown to promote inflammation.  Avoiding foods that contain high amounts of high fructose corn syrup and sucrose will reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery.

Stimulants, such as coffee, increase your sensitivity to pain.  Stimulants stimulate!  This includes pain receptors.  Most injuries come with their fair share of pain; why make it worse!

What should I eat?

Consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day.   Most Americans do not consume enough fiber.  Fiber is essential for a healthy gastrointestinal tract.  Fiber also helps control blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.  High fiber diets are also beneficial for those that are looking to achieve a healthy weight.  Fiber will help control inflammation in the gut, which will reduce the total amount on the rest of the body.

Eat 9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day.  Almost all fruit and vegetables are anti-inflammatory; the more the better.  Within fruit and vegetables, anti-inflammatory compounds reside.  Many have been shown to work better than prescription drugs.  In addition to the protection against inflammation, they supply vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which protect against disease and supply building blocks of new tissue.

Eat 4 servings of Alliums per week.  These include members of the onion and garlic family, which include onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, scallions, and chives.  They contain a ton of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and are best eaten raw

Consume omega three fatty acids.  Omegas 3’s are anti-inflammatory and are part of the cell membrane.  They also compose a substantial part of brain and nervous tissue.  These are available in supplement form.  Sources include chia seeds, flax seed, flax seed oil, and some marine plants.  Salmon and fatty fish are also sources, but the quality and contamination are becoming an issue.

Eat healthy snacks.  These include fruit and vegetables.  Avoid packaged and processed food, as these are pro-inflammatory.

Avoid processed and refined sugars.  Processing of foods leads to inflammation.  Many contain chemicals that promote inflammation, but are also harmful to your nervous and endocrine systems. Be sure to check out my article regarding how sugar is labeled.

Avoid trans-fats.  Trans-fats are the worst type of fats.  They promote inflammation and have been linked to other chronic diseases.  Avoid these like the plague!

Add spice to your food.  Certain spices have anti-inflammatory properties and some have been proven to decrease inflammation better than prescription drugs.  Turmeric is one example.  Not only is it a very effective anti-inflammatory spice, it has also been shown to help fight cancer and other chronic diseases!  Other anti-inflammatory spices include ginger, cinnamon, basil, cardamom, chamomile, celery seed, cilantro, cloves, fennel seeds, parsley, nutmeg, and rosemary.

Avoid red meats, poultry, and processed meats If you are concerned that you are not getting enough protein, make sure that you consume plant sources, such as beans, lentils, or quinoa.

Avoid most oils.  Extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil can be used sparingly.  High quality canola oil is also acceptable, in moderate amounts.  Avoid vegetable and corn oil as these are highly processed and create inflammation.

Avoid margarine and shortening.  These contain trans- fats and are highly inflammatory.

Avoid foods made of white flour.  This includes pastas, breads, and baked goods.

What about supplements?

There are many supplements that will help with inflammation.  In the acute phase, the first seventy-two hours following an injury, proteolytic enzymes are a great adjunct to conventional treatment.  These will help debribe tissue and promote a healthy healing response. Make sure you take these on an empty stomach.   If not, they will just break down the proteins in your stomach from food.  Typical proteolytic enzymes include bromelin, from pineapple and papain, from papaya.

Author Bio
Dr. Scott Schreiber
Dr. Scott Schreiber

Dr. Scott Schreiber is the only certified rehabilitation specialist and Double certified Chiropractic Physician in the state of Delaware, and while many people claim to be passionate about what they do and helping others, they can’t hold a candle to Dr. Schreiber. He has dedicated his professional life to advancing the fields of nutrition, chiropractic and rehabilitation while also maintaining a very close one on one relationship with each and everyone of his patients; designing personal action plans to help them become their healthiest selves. Visit his website http://www.drscottschreiber.com/

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