A minor surgery is one that happens to someone else.
Whether major or "minor," the focus for those of us going under the knife is to get better as soon as possible and get back to work. While it's your surgeon's responsibility to resolve your health issue, your nutrition levels can influence the speed of your recovery something entirely controllable by each one of us.
However, most of us do not operate with optimal nutritional levels. Thus, nutritional supplements can help when taken during the perioperative period 30 days before and 30 days after surgery. Doing so will get you back to work faster, with less setbacks and side effects, and with less need for pharmaceuticals.
There are five nutrients in particular that we'd like to highlight as accelerating recovery from surgery, especially when taken as nutritional supplements:
·Protein
·Omega-3
·Calcium & Collagen
·Vitamin D3
·Turmeric
The combination of these nutrients helps to:
·Boost immunity
·Support GI health
·Maintain lean muscle mass
·Suppress the appetite
·Protect cardio health
·Improve bone strength
·Strengthen tissue
·Protect neurological function
·Provide antioxidant support
Protein
Though associated more with being taken by professional athletes and weightlifters, protein can help all of us to optimize immune function and improve digestive health in addition to building muscle mass.
Nutritional supplements featuring protein typically protein powders offer all the natural benefits of protein without the saturated fats and cholesterol contained in natural animal protein (e.g. beef, pork and poultry). Additionally, non-whey-based protein helps avoid issues particularly those who are intolerant to glutens.
Protein boosts immune function in light of stress from surgery particularly when paired with immunoglobulin concentrate and arabinogalactan.
Also known as antibodies, immunoglobulins are produced by the body to attach and destroy bacteria, viruses, fungus, and other foreign substances. Natural immunoglobulin levels in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are boosted with immunoglobulin concentrate in the form of nutritional supplements.
Arabinogalactan is a soluble fiber found in many wooded plants like the Western larch tree and function to normalize the immune system by keeping it both from either under-performing or over-acting like nature's antifreeze. This helps the immune system effectively deal with real threats to the body versus other things that can cause it to needlessly kick into high gear.
Omega-3
Naturally found in fish oil, omega-3 supports cardiovascular health, mental health, GI health, and platelet aggregation. This is particularly useful for supporting the health of the body's four types of tissue following surgery: connective, epithelial, muscular, and nervous. Unless you eat several helpings of fish per week, you will want to find a nutritional supplement that has a high dosage of both primary components of omega-3, EPA and DHA typically over 750 mg of both in total is ideal.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been linked in clinical studies to lowering inflammation, which can be especially helpful in spinal fusion patients and others that cannot take pain killers.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is also a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the brain and cerebral cortex even skin, sperm, testicles, and retinas. In clinical studies, DHA has been shown to help maintain healthy triglyceride levels and strong levels of DHA are associated with cognitive stability as we age.
To ensure maximum pureness and freshness, you will want omega-3 fish oil that is stabilized with vitamin E, is molecularly distilled, and is independently verified to be free of PCBs, heavy metals and pesticides. Furthermore, enteric-coated softgels support compliance and absorption without the dreaded "fishy burps" and bloating.
For those having cervical surgery or any surgery relating to throat or digestive system, omega-3 is also available in liquid nutritional supplements, which can taste surprisingly good especially those using natural sweeteners instead of sugar.
Calcium & Collagen
We all know that calcium supports strong bones. What you may not know is that, when combined with collagen, calcium binds more effectively with bones, cartilage and ligaments to increase strength and flexibility.
Collagen cannot be ingested, so you need a collagen catalyst such as absorbable silicon, including orthosilicic acid.
Additionally, when it comes to nutritional supplements, you want a 2:1 ratio between calcium and phosphorous for the best results.
Vitamin D3
New research suggests that the body needs at least 4,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily. Even though this is the equivalent of 15 minutes of direct sunlight on the hands and face, twice a week, approximately 1 billion people are deficient in Vitamin D. This is especially true for Caucasian and Asian females and for everyone during the winter months.
Vitamin D deficiency not only reduces bone density but can also inhibit the absorption of calcium.
Clinical studies have found that vitamin D levels of < 20 ng/mL may experience longer hospital stays, higher infection rates and increases instances of sepsis particularly in older patients.
Vitamin D3 is the identical form of vitamin D derived in the body from cholesterol and synthesized by sunlight on the skin. As such, vitamin D3 has been demonstrated to be three times as potent as vitamin D2.
It has been reported that taking too much vitamin D can be toxic. However, this is at levels of 50,000 IU per day when taken for several months. The recommended amount of vitamin D3 is 5,000 IU per day 10% of harmful levels and well within safety.
Turmeric
Often in the form of turmeric rhizome extract, turmeric supplements boost mental acuity, improve memory, increase alertness, and provide antioxidant support.
Turmeric's primary drawback is its inability to be readily absorbed through the digestive system on its own. Therefore, you will want to use a nutritional supplement that utilizes black pepper extract, which has been shown to increase intestinal absorption rates of turmeric into the bloodstream by 2,000%.
Accelerate Your Recovery from Surgery, Naturally
Getting back to work (and life) faster can be accelerated with strong nutrition, especially with protein, omega-3, calcium (and collagen), vitamin D, and turmeric. When our diet lacks any or all of these nutrients, nutritional supplements can close the gap.
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