Top 6 Foods to Help Speed Recovery Pt. II

In our last blog, we mentioned that although physical therapy may be one of the most important steps you can take to get back in the game stronger, better, and faster after an injury, you can actually help speed the recovery process by consuming the right vitamins and nutrients.

At Total Performance Physical Therapy, we’re committed to helping our patients find relief. But we also know that healing comes from within, too. So let’s take a look at the rest of the nutrients that help promote the injury recovery process, courtesy of the leading physical therapy center for sciatica in the Harleysville area.

Zinc

All of the tissues in your body contain Zinc. It allows your body to utilize the proteins and fats that you consume to promote healing and growth of damaged tissue. Additionally, Zinc also helps to protect the body from viruses and infections.

What to Eat

You can get your Zinc from a number of sources, including chicken, nuts, seeds, and even oysters.

Antioxidants

As toxins that exist in our bodies, free radicals are even prevalent in the presence of an injury. They work to make us weaker by taking away from our healthy cells. By ensuring we get enough antioxidants in our diets, we can help our bodies control those free radicals, so it can focus on repairing itself.

What to Eat

Prunes, tart cherries, blueberries, turmeric, and ginger are excellent sources of antioxidants. Ginger and turmeric have the added bonus of being containing anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Protein

When you injure yourself, it automatically increases the body’s need for protein. In fact, it’s required for the many processes that occur during not just the initial onset of the injury, but throughout the entire recovery period. Consuming large amounts of protein can actually determine how fast and how well the body heals, so it’s crucial to ensure you’re getting enough high-quality protein in your diet, especially if you’re recovering from an injury.

What to Eat

Meats like chicken, turkey, and grass-fed beef are excellent sources of protein, as is Greek yogurt and even almonds.

While physical therapy can be one of the most effective ways to help you heal from an injury, it’s essential you remember to eat the right foods to enhance your body’s recovery process.

For more information about the best foods to help speed up your injury recovery, or for physical therapy for back pain in and around North Wales, contact us today.