| Surgery for a Total Knee Replacement is a | | | | containing romaine, leaf lettuces, kale, |
| major assault on the body. It creates a great | | | | swiss chard and spinach are good. Bright |
| amount of stress and your body's natural | | | | colored veggies like peppers (red and orange |
| defense mechanisms react to the stress. Pain, | | | | as well as green), carrots, tomatoes etc. |
| swelling, and inflammation reactions are to | | | | contain the range of vitamins such as A, C, |
| be expected. At the same time your body | | | | and E that will assist your recovery. And |
| reacts to the knee surgery, it starts to heal | | | | don't forget to take your multi-vitamins. |
| itself. Unfortunately, some of these | | | | Even with your best efforts, you are |
| reactions can hinder the healing and your | | | | consuming produce that has been bred to look |
| subsequent recovery. The body's resources are | | | | good in the store, and travel well, not to be |
| stretched to meet all of their needs. | | | | nutritious. So double up on your on-a-days. A |
| | | | study involving 11,000 dentists, followed |
| There are some simple things you can do to | | | | over a decade, identified that the healthiest |
| ensure you heal from your knee replacement as | | | | 10% tended to consume about four times the |
| quickly as possible. They aren't complicated | | | | RDA of most essential vitamins and minerals. |
| nor do they cost a lot of money. They will | | | | Something to consider. |
| require your attention both before, and after | | | | |
| your knee operation. | | | | You might also think about starting the day |
| | | | off with a protein shake. A rounded scoop of |
| The body's ability to recover from any | | | | whey protein powder with some frozen berries |
| assault is dependent on a number of things. | | | | and half a banana in a blender is an |
| Adequate rest is one. Most healing occurs at | | | | excellent source of low fat protein and |
| night. Relief from stress is another. Stress, | | | | anti-oxidants. Have another shake |
| or to be more blunt, the fight or flight | | | | mid-afternoon, and make your main meals, |
| response, releases various chemicals into the | | | | lunch and supper, slightly smaller than |
| body that channel activity away from long | | | | normal. This way you are spreading your |
| term care and over to quick response | | | | nutrient intake out across the day. This is |
| capability. You want to avoid this. The last | | | | easier on your system. |
| requirement is the presence of appropriate | | | | |
| and correct nutrients so the body can repair | | | | There are some supplements you can take that |
| tissues and reduce inflammation. | | | | will help you in your quest to heal. Two |
| | | | amino acids that you might consider are |
| Unfortunately our current diets don't have | | | | L-Arginine and Ornithine. These two are |
| anything like the variety and quantity of | | | | considered "non-essential" because your body |
| vitamins, minerals and other elements that | | | | can synthesize them from other proteins, but |
| our ancestors evolved with. Part of the | | | | studies have shown that under conditions of |
| problem is the calorie density of our food. | | | | stress, your body does not produce enough of |
| The constant presence of sugar and other | | | | them. |
| carbohydrates provides more than adequate | | | | |
| energy for our daily requirements, especially | | | | In particular, arginine and ornithine |
| with our reduced levels of activities. In the | | | | encourage the thymus gland in the production |
| distant past, our forbears had to eat a much | | | | of more and more active lymphocytes. |
| larger quantity of vegetative material, and | | | | Lymphocytes play an important role in the |
| even meat (much leaner meat, with | | | | body's immune system. |
| significantly less fat content) to fuel | | | | |
| themselves up for their daily activities. And | | | | As well, studies have shown that arginine, in |
| those daily activities did not involve | | | | combination with lysine (1200 mg each), |
| turning up the thermostat for heat, or | | | | promotes the release of human growth hormone. |
| flipping a switch for cooling. All travel was | | | | HGH accelerates wound healing and slows |
| by foot, and the hunt for food, before the | | | | muscle loss after surgery. If you have liver |
| invention of agriculture, required steady | | | | or kidney disorders, you should not take |
| travel during much of the day. The calories | | | | these supplements without consulting your |
| burned by primitive peoples were large, but | | | | doctor. |
| the benefit was that their diets were varied | | | | |
| and their daily intake of vitamins, minerals, | | | | Your system has a major job in front of it. |
| and other essential nutrients was | | | | Healing from knee replacement surgery will |
| significantly higher that we get today. | | | | stretch your systems resources. Provide it |
| | | | with the quality fuel it needs. And it will |
| Certainly you should make a point of eating a | | | | reward you with a faster, more comlication |
| varied diet, high in fresh vegetables and | | | | free recovery. |
| quality protein. Dark green leafy salads | | | | |