Just because your body is suffering from an injury doesn’t mean your nutrition habits should. Here, Justin Robinson, Optimal Nutrition consultant and Rehab United performance coach, explains the role of nutrition in aiding the recovery process.
“Some people will take this mentality of ‘Well, I’m hurt, I can’t exercise, [so] I totally need to cut back on what I’m eating,’” Robinson says. “They don’t always realize that extra nutrients are required to help rebuild.”
For instance, a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL], unfortunately a common injury, can result from blunt force to the knee. Because the injury requires surgery, Robinson looks to certain nutrients—particularly protein—to intervene during the recovery process. “The body’s in an accelerated metabolism,” he says, “[and] it does require protein…to rebuild that tissue.”
Also beneficial, according to Robinson, is glutamine, a nonessential amino acid that has been found to accelerate recovery by promoting tissue repair in the body. Micronutrients such as zinc [for regulating protein synthesis] and vitamin C [for collagen formation] may also expedite the recovery process; but Robinson cautions that astronomical proportions are not necessary. “There’s really a threshold for calories and micronutrients,” he says. “If we’re getting too much, the body will filter [them] out. It will use what it needs.”
Robinson aims to ensure that essential nutrients come from food first, but he adds that multivitamins can play a role, too. Either down one with some water or add it to a smoothie. Robinson’s favorite recipe includes a cup of fresh or frozen peaches or strawberries and a couple splashes of 100 percent fruit juice, together with a half scoop of protein powder and a few tablespoons of yogurt.
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Just because your body is suffering from an injury doesn’t mean your nutrition habits should. Here, Justin Robinson, Optimal Nutrition consultant and Rehab United performance coach, explains the role of nutrition in aiding the recovery process.
“Some people will take this mentality of ‘Well, I’m hurt, I can’t exercise, [so] I totally need to cut back on what I’m eating,’” Robinson says. “They don’t always realize that extra nutrients are required to help rebuild.”
For instance, a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL], unfortunately a common injury, can result from blunt force to the knee. Because the injury requires surgery, Robinson looks to certain nutrients—particularly protein—to intervene during the recovery process. “The body’s in an accelerated metabolism,” he says, “[and] it does require protein…to rebuild that tissue.”
Also beneficial, according to Robinson, is glutamine, a nonessential amino acid that has been found to accelerate recovery by promoting tissue repair in the body. Micronutrients such as zinc [for regulating protein synthesis] and vitamin C [for collagen formation] may also expedite the recovery process; but Robinson cautions that astronomical proportions are not necessary. “There’s really a threshold for calories and micronutrients,” he says. “If we’re getting too much, the body will filter [them] out. It will use what it needs.”
Robinson aims to ensure that essential nutrients come from food first, but he adds that multivitamins can play a role, too. Either down one with some water or add it to a smoothie. Robinson’s favorite recipe includes a cup of fresh or frozen peaches or strawberries and a couple splashes of 100 percent fruit juice, together with a half scoop of protein powder and a few tablespoons of yogurt.