Injury healing

Goldenrod

Well-known member
Staff member
Morning,

We all know there are peptides, HGH, some anabolic steroids that increase the rate of healing, but something we don't talk about much is nutrition (for healing). This is just my opinion from multiple injuries / dog injuries too, and what I found best for healing:

1. Inflammation - a natural process but if it becomes chronic this will hamper getting better quicker. I eat berries of all kinds - strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are some of my favourites in a daily smoothies. I take expensive fish oil supplements but love fresh salmon which is doubly beneficial: helps with inflammation and the protein you need to retain muscle and heal. It is estimated 2 weeks before you start to lose muscle, but I think it is longer and with active recovery and with a strict diet you can retain more and get back to where you were quicker. Bromelain is not always mentioned in the books I read which I don't understand. I eat a lot of pineapple which provides a lot of bromelain and is a great anti-inflammatory and has some analgesic effects as most anti-inflammatory foods do. Many cruciferous veggies are great to add in - good macros too and typically low in cals (broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus). Grapes are touted to reduce epithelialization time - typically this is thought when there is a wound to heal, but grapes have anti-inflammatory properties too.
2. Protein and Essential Amino Acids - I love eggs due to their quick metabolism and a quality source of protein, red meat - love steaks and hamburgers, already mentioned salmon, but cod is good too / also the benefits of cod liver oil. Cottage cheese is another great source of protein and greek yogurt - which also provided probiotics for nutrition absorption. I like chicken breast as well albeit I add sugar free ketchup as I find it a little bland.

I used to rely on aspirin for inflammation but now use Carleson's cod liver oil as my go to.
It goes without saying - physio, adjustments, active healing depending on the severity of the injury reduce the time I am unable to exercise/recover.

Most of the guys / gals here already know this, but if you have found food that helps recover quicker, please add to the thread. I find smaller/more frequent meals better. A favourite meal of mine is to make a large amount of rice, cut up weighed chicken breast (or steak) into little pieces, and then fry it with a lot of egg whites and few yolks (if your counting macros it is easy to determine cals/protein/carbs/fat. It will last for days in the fridge and all you need to do is steam asparagus or broccoli and you have a quick meal.
 
When do you usually have your berry rich smoothies? Post-workout would work best for me but these are best consumed immediately after being blended otherwise the mixture starts to separate and and tastes kinda gross.
 
I agree with all the above: berries, salmon, ginger tea and fish oil are key nutrients for to reduce inflammation that I consume all the time.

Sleep and stress reduction i continue to need to work on. They are major inflammation drivers.

Due to my high metabolism, I’ve always had my smoothie before bed, but as I get older, I think it does impact GH release in the first couple hours of sleeping. Just this week I’ve started to experiment with having supper a little earlier, around 5:30 and then my smoothie by eight so I have no food for 2 1/2 to 3 hours before I go to bed at 11. We’ll see if I can notice a difference before I add back in some ipa/cjc.
 
I agree with all the above: berries, salmon, ginger tea and fish oil are key nutrients for to reduce inflammation that I consume all the time.

Sleep and stress reduction i continue to need to work on. They are major inflammation drivers.

I need to work on my sleep... I just don't get enough... 6.5 hours average.. I know quality trumps quantity, but I need to work on that too..

In highschool when I decided I was going to be 100% dedicated to bodybuilding, I went to bed at 9pm every night and woke up at 7:30 each morning.. When I went to bed at 9, I can not recall ever not just falling asleep right away either.. I admit on Fri/Sat night I would go out and not get home until 2-4am, but I rarely drank. I was the DD who would sneak back to the car every 2 hours for protien shake.
 
When do you usually have your berry rich smoothies? Post-workout would work best for me but these are best consumed immediately after being blended otherwise the mixture starts to separate and and tastes kinda gross.
First thing in the morning - usually my first meal, I used to get hung up on pre and post meal for growth or healing but I don't as much. I just make sure the entire day I try to provide the building blocks needs for growth and health - which are also needed for healing. I just prefer my first meal liquid. I am considering active healing as a time when you don't lift heavy and take it easier so I just make sure I have quality food/building blocks for health/healing the entire day. If the injury is bad enough, potentially just stretching and going through the motions with a bar and no weight.
I can't have the smoothie too late in the day or I am up for the bathroom which interrupts my sleep which is essential for healing.
 
Sleep is a hidden gem when it comes to recovery. It should be a priority , right up there with nutrition. All these guys you see claiming the need to be up at 3 am, before all your competition to own the day and whatnot is a load of garbage.
 
I stick with berries, fish oil, ginger in tea, raw and in recipes. Ice and more ice....Agree sleep for me is huge if pain is hindering sleep, meditaion seems to do wonders. I grew up on grandparents farm 70% of my time. I still eat what Nana said to eat. Still love it.

Hydration is big. I heal fast as a result of being forced to recover from traumatic injures. Have way to much knowledege on injury recovery for a young guy (65ish). Is still tend to rush it. I leaned too hard on gear a few times....mistake.

I love forest and alpine hikes. The canopy and meadows refuel me. I love fishing. I find "other" activites hasten my healing.
 
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