People recovering from injuries and wounds are often advised to include foods high in proteins for a speedy recovery. In this article, we will take a look at the components of a high protein diet which can help in speedy recovery from an injury.
Protein is one of the important component of a balanced diet and the body uses it to build and repair tissues. It is also required by the body to produce enzymes and other body chemicals. It is because of these benefits of proteins that medical professionals recommend a high-protein diet for wound healing and treating burns and ulcers. Consuming a diet rich in protein boosts the immune system of the body which aids the healing process and helps prevent opportunistic infections. Studies over the past one decade have pointed out that people with injuries need higher levels of proteins than healthy people.
People who are deficient in proteins and vitamins take longer time to recover from injuries. Protein helps the body to heal quickly as it is responsible for the formation of new skin and helps in clearing up of old, damaged skin. According to the National Research Council, the daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for proteins is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. This RDA is for ‘healthy people’ and people recovering from injuries do not fall under this category. While there is no accurate data on how much an individual recovering from injuries should consume, most of the dietitians are of the view that anything between 1.2 to 1.5 g/kg of body weight is sufficient. To get the required amounts of proteins, one may need to be on a high protein diet.
High Protein Diet
To help the body with its healing process, you should try to include foods high in protein in your daily diet. Some of the common sources of proteins are meat products, fish, egg whites, beans, spinach, peanut butter, etc. High protein energy drinks are also helpful as the body doesn’t need to work extra hard to digest them.
It is very important that you keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water. Not only does it help the natural process of healing, it also helps in digestion and absorption of food. To aid the healing process it is also advisable to increase the intake of high calorie foods. You can consult your doctor or dietitian to know how many calories you would require as there is no specific recommendation available for people recovering from injuries.
Injury to the body is often accompanied by a loss of appetite, but it is essential that you eat regular meals to give the body its necessary nutrients. If you find it difficult to consume three big meals, you can break it into six smaller meals so that you don’t feel as if you are overeating. You can plan your meals in such a way that your body gets the required amounts of proteins without you feeling too full.
There is some ambiguity on the use of protein supplements for people recovering from injuries as some dietitians believe that these pose some risks to the human body. A July 2010 Consumer Reports investigation also supported these claims as lab tests revealed that some of the high protein drinks had high levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium. Despite these findings, there is vast majority of people who are dependent on protein shakes for their daily intake of proteins. There are numerous protein shakes available which have been used by people for a long time now and are safe to use. We will advise you to do some research before buying a protein shake or you can possibly buy one after having a word with your doctor.
The importance of proteins in wound healing cannot be undermined. Proteins are a rich source of energy and their role in strengthening the immune system is vital. It is important that you include high protein foods in your daily diet but if you are in a recovery process, it becomes absolutely necessary that you consume foods high in proteins to speed up the healing process. We hope that this article would have helped you in knowing the importance of having a high protein diet for wound healing.