Bouncing back to health can be very difficult after an injury or surgery. Many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can optimise your recovery and obviously proper diet and nutrition is the preferred way to get them. But sometimes we need a bit of extra help. Taking these supplements, especially after surgery, can promote wound healing, enhance immunity, reduce bruising, swelling, and inflammation.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays an important role during the healing process before surgery because it is required for cell growth. It is responsible for activating connective tissue production, including collagen, and helps new blood vessels grow. Vitamin A also stimulates the body’s immune system by reducing the risk of infections.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps promote proper wound healing of surgery, minor injuries, herniated intervertebral discs and even skin ulcers. As a potent anti-oxidant, this vitamin plays an essential role in collagen formation and strengthening the immune system. Vitamin c is highly recommended following surgery because it is a natural supplement that builds collagen.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb & retain calcium and phosphorus, which are critical for building bone. Vitamin D also helps control infections and reduces inflammation. Most of the body’s tissues have receptors for Vitamin D, which suggests important roles beyond bone health.
Fish Oils
Being full of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oils are the wonder supplement! They help fight inflammation in the body, support heart and eye health, can prevent brain decline, and improve mental health symptoms.
Zinc
Zinc contains enzymes that play a vital role in the immune system and can reduce inflammation, bacterial growth, and scar tissue creation. Some studies have shown that zinc supplements have reduced healing time after surgery by 43%! Even a mild deficiency of zinc can prevent optimal recovery from damaged tissues.
Collagen
Collagen supplements provide some of the essential amino acids required for protein synthesis in the body, including collagen production in ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues. It has also been shown to effectively reduce pain associated with injuries, prevent soft tissue injuries and improve symptoms associated with osteoarthritis.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps support muscle and nerve function as well as energy production in the body. Supplementing with magnesium can help by raising energy levels, relieving stress, boosting immunity, and defending against conditions like migraines, high blood pressure, heart disease & diabetes.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is used by the body to make other chemicals that build tendons, ligaments, cartilage and the synovial fluid that surrounds joints. Taking glucosamine might help prevent their breakdown.
It is important to get good quality, high potency supplements from a reputable source. My preferred company is Lamberts Healthcare (https://www.lambertshealthcare.co.uk) . They are a research and education based company, and all their products are of the highest quality and potency.