When musculoskeletal nutrition injury occurs there can be damage to the ligaments,
tendons, muscles, bones and other connective tissues. This damage can be caused
by a traumatic injury with the resulting acute inflammatory reaction of
swelling, pain, and spasm. Nutrient requirements increase during these periods
and later periods of tissue healing.
Nutrients necessary during this initial stage would include:
Vitamins A
for epithelial tissue, B complex for energy production, and C for collagen
formation.
Minerals
Calcium for muscle relaxation and bone formation, Magnesium for protein
production and muscles spasm, Manganese for collagen production, and Zinc for
DNA and tissue repair.
Proteolytic enzymes including trypsin have been showed to reduce healing time for bruising
and swelling.
Pain control can be accomplished naturally with the use of salicylates, white willow bark,
and iso alpha acids from hops.
After the initial acute phase additional nutrient support would be increased intake of
high quality protein for re-growth of damaged connective tissues and the use of
glucosamine for collagen formation.
In chronic injury and in the end stages of healing the use of omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) and a diet with limited
consumption of animal protein and refined carbohydrates will reduce the bodies
overall inflammatory state.