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June 20, 2005
Help Heal A Sports Injury With Your Diet
With summer approaching, we all are more physically active. If you hurt yourself, this Los Angeles Times article offers some pointers on how to help your body repair itself with foods rich in protein, vitamin C and zinc.
Add protein. It helps optimize tissue repair. No need for protein supplements. Simply consume about 10 extra grams of lean protein a day. That's equal to a cup of low-fat yogurt; 10 ounces of skim milk; an ounce of lean meat, poultry or fish; two-thirds cup of beans; 1.5 ounces of low-fat cheese or a couple of sticks of string cheese.
Boost vitamin C and zinc. Like protein, they help repair tissue. Foods rich in C, aside from citrus fruit, include broccoli, sweet peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and strawberries. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, crab, dark meat poultry, yogurt, milk, almonds, peanuts, cashews, baked beans and chickpeas.
Try turmeric. This yellow herb is best known as a common ingredient of curry powder, but there's growing scientific evidence to suggest that it has some of the same powerful anti-inflammatory properties as the prescription drugs Vioxx and Celebrex, without the side effects. Less inflammation usually means less pain. Bonci advises her patients to sprinkle a little turmeric onto salads, soups, vegetables or on meat or poultry. Mustard also contains small amounts of the herb.
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Posted by linda at June 20, 2005 8:28 AM
