The College of Naturopathic Medicine

Dear Jacqui

Your queries about natural health answered by Jacquie Lane for The College of Naturopathic Medicine

Q. I am recovering from a recently broken leg. How can I aid the healing process through nutrition?
PF, Brighton

A. The bones in our body are living tissue and need a constant supply of nutrients to keep them healthy and strong.

Think of a sea sponge with its honeycomb-like structure; it needs moisture and nutrients for repair and healing.
Amongst many others, specific nutrients that help this process are zinc, magnesium, vitamin C, biotin, calcium, omega 3, vitamin D, and bromelain which is an enzyme from pineapple.

Suggested food choices:
Aim to have a varied diet and include at each meal good quality protein, essential for body tissue repair and maintenance. Choices should include fish, beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Include complex carbohydrates at each meal, such as whole grains, eg brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat or rye and spelt in breads or pasta.

Aim to eat at least 5–7 portions in total of a rainbow assortment of vegetables and fruit each day, to get a good intake of antioxidants and phytonutrients, which are good for repair and healing. The extra fibre will help ensure good bowel elimination, as when people are off their feet constipation may be a problem, especially if you are on painkillers.

Include oils from foods which contain omega 3, as these may help with joint flexibility and reducing inflammation. E.g. cold pressed olive oil, hemp and flax seed oil, salmon, sardines, or mackerel. Incorporate into your daily diet seeds such as flax, pumpkin, sunflower, or sesame. Use them in salads, or grind some into a mixture and add it to porridge, or use the cold pressed oils in salad dressings.

Eliminate caffeine from coffee, and tannins from tea, which are dehydrating. Instead, drink more herbal teas.

Lifestyle advice:
Do all the exercises your physiotherapist has recommended and rest according to their instructions. Stop alcohol and smoking as this will delay the healing process.

Supplements which may be appropriate:
Omega 3 oil, bromelain on an empty stomach, bone strength ‘multi’ formulas, glucosamine.

See a nutritional therapist for advice and an individual plan.

CNM open evening
Interested in training to becomea nutritional therapist? Please book to attend a CNM open evening.

Next dates in Brighton:
5 June and 3 July

Call 01342 410505
www.naturopathy-uk.com