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Anyone who plays sports or works out hard at the gym knows that injuries are just part of the game. When you live an active lifestyle, it’s often a matter of time before you overwork your muscles or suffer a minor injury that can keep you sidelined.
It’s always best to follow the advice of your doctor or therapist when recovering from an injury. The good news is that you don’t have to be out of the game for long. With the right therapy, diet, and supplements, you can help your body to heal more quickly.
For serious injuries that lead to chronic pain, you can consult the experts at Seattle Pain Relief . Most gym and sports injuries will heal without the need for lengthy treatments. Let’s take a look at a few essential supplements that are known to be great for faster recovery.
Protein
Getting enough protein is essential to muscle regeneration and recovery. When you suffer from an injury, that muscle is often immobilized, which can lead to a decline in strength. Much of this loss can be attributed to a loss of muscle mass. When you add protein-rich foods like fish, poultry, beans, and nuts, you can help reduce muscle inflammation and promote faster healing.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C enables proper collagen production throughout the body. Collagen helps maintain the health of your bones, tendons, and muscles. Getting enough Vitamin C can help your body to rebuild vital tissue following an injury. Vitamin C also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help speed up your recovery.
Vitamin C is one of the most common nutrients in a variety of foods that are easy to integrate into your diet. Bell peppers, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and tomatoes are all excellent sources of Vitamin C. If you aren’t getting enough Vitamin C in your diet, you can add a supplement once a day.
Omega 3
Every muscle injury will go through a period of inflammation. However, extended periods of swelling can make it more difficult for your tissue to regenerate. Omega-3 fatty acids are potent anti-inflammatories. You can find these natural healers in supplement form or fatty fish like salmon, fish oil, olive oil, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Calcium
Calcium is an essential building block for your bones and involves relaying muscle signals from your brain. If you aren’t getting enough calcium in your diet, you may find that your recovery is lagging. Dairy foods, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, along with leafy greens and seaweed, are excellent natural sources of Calcium.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D works to help your body correctly absorb essential Calcium. Maintaining proper levels of Vitamin D can increase your muscle recovery and strength. Although few foods are natural sources of Vitamin D, you can add a supplement to your diet or spend a bit more time in the sun. The body absorbs Vitamin D from direct sunlight.
Recovering from a sports injury takes time and patience. Follow your doctor’s instructions and take steps to include these powerful nutrients and supplements into your diet to help speed up your recovery and get you back into play.