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Thanks to numerous studies in the field of proper nutrition and diets, it has been proven that in case of bone fractures of varying degrees of complexity, those foods that contribute to the rapid healing of bones and cartilage tissue play an important role.
What gives these products such a property? Undoubtedly, certain substances involved in the formation of the process of bone fusion.
Protein recovery from fracture
If a fracture of a particular bone is associated with damage to the tendons and muscles (as is usually the case), then the body loses the lion’s share of the protein. In order to restore the loss, vitamins B, C, D, calcium, phosphorus and zinc are needed. With insufficient intake of protein in the human body with food, the “reserve” blood protein will be consumed. If we call this process a medical term, then hypoproteinemia will occur. As a result, there will be little protein in the blood and the general condition of the body will worsen, and this will lead to poor bone fusion and extremely slow formation of new bone and cartilage tissue.
If a fracture of some large bone has occurred, then up to 150 grams of protein should be consumed per day by patients. Half of which are of animal origin, and half of plant origin. It can be meat, fish or eggs. Various jelly-like products, which contain gelatin or any jelly-forming element, also restore the bone well. For example, pork or chicken jelly, homemade jelly and jelly.
Calcium and vitamin D as the basis of a fracture diet
First of all, calcium and vitamin D should be attributed to helper substances that help the process of bone fusion. It is they, like an ambulance, that help a person quickly bounce back after a fracture. If these substances enter the body in sufficient quantities, then the process of bone restoration proceeds smoothly and quickly.
Foods rich in calcium include:
all dairy products (sour cream, kefir, yogurt, cheese, fermented baked milk, curdled milk), and especially low-fat cottage cheese;
nuts, seeds and legumes (the leader of this group is beans, followed by green peas, lentils and soybeans, from seeds – sesame, almonds and poppy seeds, but only these products are unable to satisfy the real need of the human body for calcium);
vegetables and fruits, greens and berries (they have a low calcium content, but they have elements that contribute to its good absorption, these are asparagus, carrots, seaweed, broccoli, celery, turnips, radishes, strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries, grapes, currants, cherries and apricots);
seafood (sardines and salmon).
Foods rich in vitamin D include:
fish oil (record holder for the content of vitamin D). But more importantly, fish oil is a source omega 3 fats!
fish (cod and halibut);
raw egg yolk, vegetable oil and liver;
oats, alfalfa, nettle, dandelion, parsley and horsetail;
potatoes.
It is also known that the human body can independently synthesize vitamin D with the help of ultraviolet sunlight. This suggests that even with gypsum, which looks like thick armor, you need to be “in the sun” more often. So the process of bone regeneration will proceed faster.
Vitamin C as a connecting link in the diet for a fracture
However, not only vitamin D and calcium helps with fractures. Vitamin C will always come to their aid. The work of these three components can be compared to the process of building a house, for which it is not enough to have only concrete (calcium and vitamin D), but reinforcement is also needed in the role of connective tissue, whose role is played by vitamin C. In order for it to be enough in the body, it is necessary to consume sweet bell pepper and citrus fruits. They can be eaten neat or as fresh juice.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford natural juice every day, and then pharmacy ascorbic acid will be the best replacement option. It contains the same vitamin C, but only in canned form. It is also found in foods such as parsley, blackcurrant, fresh rose hips, honeysuckle, kiwi, sea buckthorn and juniper.
What can not be eaten with a fracture?
There are a number of products that are undesirable and even contraindicated to consume with a fracture. They can safely be attributed to:
alcohol (does not allow cells to form bone and cartilage tissue, leads to bone destruction);
fatty foods in large quantities (prevents the absorption of calcium, as a result of which it simply passes through the entire body and leaves it without having any beneficial effect);
coffee and strong tea;
carbonated drinks;
chocolate and other sweet foods.
Proper nutrition regimen for a fracture
In case of a fracture, the body experiences an additional load due to the healing process of bone tissue, so you can’t eat anyhow at this time. The diet at this time should be special. The fluid intake should not be less than two liters per day. It is advisable to divide all daily food into 5-6 parts, making food during the day fractional.
It should be remembered that it is better not to eat too high-calorie foods, because the process of healing a fracture usually takes place in bed with little physical activity, which means that fat burning will be extremely slow. Gaining excess weight during treatment will subsequently lead to stress on the legs.
It usually takes 40-60 days for a bone to recover from a fracture. However, it is rather difficult to give an exact figure. Factors influencing the duration of healing and rehabilitation are: the state of health of the patient at the time of the fracture and after it, the type of fracture itself, as well as proper nutrition or diet. It is a properly designed diet that is a fundamental link in recovery. Often this issue is given a small share of attention, focusing more on prescribed drugs and painkillers. However, with proper nutrition, the general condition of the body improves and the process of formation of bone and muscle tissue is accelerated.