The supplements that help recovery after an operation or an injury will help to get the body into optimum condition to withstand the trauma. For maximum speed of repair, the body needs adequate supplies of building materials, such as protein, and those minerals that are part of its structure, such as calcium and magnesium.

It also needs adequate supplies of the enzymes that trigger all activities in the body, like the ignition system of a car. These are made from protein, but each one incorporates various vitamins and minerals. A plentiful supply of vitamins and minerals is therefore advisable.

In addition to the above, there is also a group of highly active substances, occurring in plants, which have powerful benefits for the body. These are the bioflavonoids, of which there are around 4,000 so far discovered.

The above requirements can be supplied by the following nutritional suggestions:

Diet

Fruit and vegetables are high in bioflavonoids, so a diet high in both will supply a useful amount. Fruit and vegetables also supply a good amount of vitamins and minerals. Highly refined foods such as sugar, white bread etc. require vitamins and minerals to be metabolised. Unlike the unrefined foods, they contain little or no vitamins, and therefore cause depletion. Wholefoods are best.

Supplements

Vitamin A, zinc and vitamin E

These are generally regarded (together with vitamin C which will be discussed separately) as the prime micronutrients for repair of tissues throughout the body, vitamin A and zinc being particularly important for skin; zinc and vitamin E help to reduce scar formation. Suggested doses: vitamin A 7,500iu/day, vitamin E 150iu/day and zinc 10-30mg/day.

Vitamin C

This is the most important vitamin of all for repair of collagen and all connective tissues. Suggested dose is 2x1000mg per day.

Bone Nutrients

If there is broken bone involved, calcium and magnesium will need to be supplemented, together with vitamin D and boron to help the absorption of calcium.

B vitamins

Some of the B vitamins are important for converting protein into tissue, and all are important for the condition of the nervous system.

Vitamins A, D, E, zinc and the B vitamins are all available in a good strength multivitamin. If there is a bone problem, calcium, magnesium and boron will need to be taken separately.

L-Glutamine

This is a little-known but extremely important amino acid. Among other functions, it is an important component of muscle and other tissues, and therefore needed in large amounts for tissue repair after an operation. Unfortunately, it is also the main fuel for the immune system, so an operation will tend to depress immune function by diverting some of this fuel to tissue repair. We suggest 2 teaspoons/day, away from food.

Glucosamine Sulphate

This is a very important building block of collagen, cartilage and connective tissue throughout the body. Its use at the rate of at least 1500mg per day will greatly speed up healing.

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