| After hygiene and cleaning, the three most important
factors for wound healing are your Immune System, Diet and Vitamins.
Genetics and luck of the draw mostly dictates how strong an immune
system you got handed from birth, the only real way you can
influence your immune system is through taking proper care of
yourself, the right amount of rest and the right diet.
Vitamins -
Vitamin C is
very important in the healing process as it is required in
the formation of collagen. Zinc is crucial for wound
healing and developing of new cells - it has been
documented that marginal zinc deficiency is associated
with impaired wound healing. Vitamin A also plays a
role in tissue repair.
The optimum amounts:
Zinc 50 mg
Vitamin C 2000 mg
Vitamin A 25,000 I.U.
Vitamin E 400 I.U.
If your daily
multi-vitamin is reasonably close to these amounts there
is probably no need for additional supplements. Be
conservative with the amount of Zinc that you choose to
take -- 50 mg might be too much for those with sensitive
stomachs. If you experience any nausea drop the amount
down to 25 mg.
More
information about the role of vitamins in wound healing:
Nutritional Support for Wound Healing (in medical
jargon, look words up here:
Medterms)
Diet -
A high protein
diet is also recommended for optimal healing, I chose to
go with 60 grams of protein a day during my healing
period. I hate to sound like your mother, but -- eat
your fruits & veggies! Good nutrition is the best thing
you can do for yourself to make healing go as quickly as
possible. Skip the drive-thru and head to the
sandwich shop for lunch.... It's pretty simple:
stay away from all things fried.
Drink: Water, V8 Juice,
Fruit Juice, Milk/Soy Milk, protein shakes
Eat: Whole grain breads, lean meats, eggs, veggies, pasta
So much of your health is
determined by nutrition that I am going to get on my soapbox here
and tell you to avoid soda, white bread, fast food, the snack foods
aisle and the donut shop. Nothing you have is more important
than your health and when you get into your 40's and above, you will
realize the great truth of this. Eat right, and you will have
energy to burn. Your skin will clear and your stomach will
settle. It will be a whole new you!
This page last updated:
05/24/2008
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