| When I learned I was going to be having knee | | | | being,protein levels might need to be tenfold that |
| replacement surgery I started taking a more intense | | | | proposed by the National Research council." |
| interest in my current health and what I could do to | | | | 5. "Studies showed that the optimal daily refined |
| assist my own recovery from surgery. In the | | | | carbohydrate consumption should approach zero." |
| following article, I report on some of what I found. | | | | Dr. Cheraskin was able to make these statements |
| Any major surgery, whether it's for a total knee | | | | after spending 20 years surveying, interviewing and |
| replacement as I recently had, or for something else, | | | | monitoring the health and daily eating and |
| will stretch your body's resources to the limit. Surgery | | | | supplementation habits of 1405 dentists and their |
| immediately pushes your system into emergency | | | | spouses. In addition he completed double blind studies |
| mode and every available capability and nutrient is | | | | to document his findings. In the course of his work, |
| preferentially re-directed to healing the wound and | | | | Dr. Cheraskin concluded that the healthiest members |
| dealing with the aftermath. Everything that isn't | | | | of his survey group typically consumed two to ten |
| directly related to life sustaining activity will be | | | | times greater levels of specific nutrients than the |
| sidelined while your body begins the healing process. | | | | governments own recommended RDA. |
| Unfortunately, as study after study has shown, on a | | | | What does this mean for you, both before and after |
| day to day basis most of us are already living in a | | | | going in for surgery? I can tell you what I did. |
| state of chronic nutritional depletion. That is, we are | | | | It is usual for me to take two multi-vitamins a day, |
| receiving less than optimum amounts of at least | | | | one in the morning and one in the evening. After |
| some nutrients, many of which are necessary for | | | | learning of Dr. Cheraskin's work, I went looking for a |
| healing. | | | | better formulation. I found one with higher amounts |
| Dr. Emanuel Cheraskin, professor emeritus at the | | | | and more of his recommended ingredients, so I could |
| University of Alabama Medical School, has spent his | | | | actually increase my intake while keeping to two |
| career trying to find the optimum levels of nutrients | | | | multi's a day, but I also made a special effort to |
| needed by human beings. He has done this in a | | | | increase my intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. I |
| revolutionary way. He studies healthy people, and | | | | included an apple, banana, an orange or a grapefruit |
| then determines what it is they are eating and doing | | | | for breakfast, to go along with my protein shake. I |
| to keep themselves in great health. This is opposed | | | | also started packing some fruit for lunch. I almost |
| to the normal method that preferentially starves rats | | | | completely eliminated starchy carbohydrates from |
| or other lab animals until they demonstrate a | | | | supper and made sure we had a nice big salad, |
| deficiency disease. | | | | steamed vegetables, grilled veggies or stir fired |
| Dr. Cheraskin has been the author and/or co-author | | | | veggies as a large side dish. |
| on over 700 publications in international scientific | | | | I followed this regimen in the weeks leading up to |
| journals and 22 books. In 2005 he completed a report | | | | and after my knee surgery. I know that, anecdotally, |
| for the International Academy of Science called "Diet | | | | I had less trouble than many others I talked to or |
| and Supplementation, Keys to Optimal Health". In this | | | | heard about. |
| report he makes some shocking statements that run | | | | I can also tell you that the incision healing process |
| counter to prevailing wisdom. | | | | after my knee replacement went very well. I had |
| 1. "...we also found that even with an optimal diet | | | | different aftercare nurses comment on how quickly I |
| (emphasis mine), it is important to take supplements." | | | | was healing. One went so far as to say my 6 week |
| 2. "...the ideal (nutrient) intake appeared to be two to | | | | old incision looked like it had been healing for 10 |
| tenfold that of the FDA recommended orsuggested | | | | weeks. |
| dietary allowances." (emphasis original) | | | | So there IS something you can do to improve your |
| 3. The current RDA for Vitamin C is 60 mg per day. | | | | chances of quick recovery after surgery. Pay |
| "...only 9% of Americans take in that much Vitamin | | | | attention to what you are eating. If you would like to |
| C." | | | | know more about optimal nutrient levels, look for |
| 4. "As we studied the effect diet made on the health | | | | more on Dr. Cheraskin and his findings. Like in Part 2 |
| of individuals, we found that to promote well | | | | of this article. |