Download View as PDF - Helen Money Nutrition

B4 HEALTH
WHEN IT COMES
TO BUILDING A
PRODUCTIVE
WORKFORCE
DIET MATTERS
It is estimated that 7,500,000 working days are lost a year
in the UK due to musculoskeletal injury either caused or
made worse by work. 85% of people that suffer from
musculoskeletal pain and 82% of those with back pain
return to work. Reducing recovery time is therefore
financially beneficial to employers.
Physiotherapy is commonly used to restore pre-injury health which together
with a preventative exercise program can help reduce the chances of the
same problem recurring. However diet also plays an important role. For an
injury to mend the body must synthesis new cells and a number of
nutritional factors impact the speed at which it does this and the strength
of the repair.
When the body undergoes increased synthesis basal metabolic rate increases;
energy is used in mending the injury. Very low calorie diets aimed at weight loss
during this period are not advised as this will slow the recovery process. The
nutritional value of diet is also important, each of the macronutrients protein,
carbohydrate and fat have specific functions during recovery. Protein is needed
to repair muscle, it is recommended that protein intake is increased to
compensate for increased demand. The amino acids arginine and glutamine are
thought to be particularly important for muscle repair and these can be taken in
supplement form. Carbohydrate is the body’s preferred source of energy, if the
diet is too low in carbohydrate the body will use more protein as an energy source
reducing the amount available for muscle repair. Fatty acids are an essential part
of the cell membrane and deficiency may lead to weaker cells being formed. A
key element of recovery is inflammation management. Omega 3 fatty acids found
in foods such as oily fish, linseed and walnuts reduce inflammation, however a
diet high in omega 6, as is commonly the Western diet blocks omega 3 pathways
making it ineffective.
Micronutrients are also important especially the antioxidants vitamins A,C,E and
minerals selenium and zinc. Inflammation causes an increase in free radicals
which can weaken cells, antioxidants element free radicals thereby preventing
cell damage. Good sources of antioxidant vitamins are fruit and vegetables and
brazil nuts are very high in selenium. Vitamin A and C are also needed to create
collagen. Zinc which I find is often low in people’s diets, especially men is essential
for enzyme activity needed to create new cells, good sources include red meat,
shellfish, especially oysters and pumpkin seeds. For bone repair calcium,
phosphorus and vitamin D are essential.
Providing employees with appropriate care through access to physiotherapy and
nutritional support will return employees to work faster and stronger. A winning
combination for both employer and employee.
Helen Money works with a team of specialist in both occupational and sports
rehabilitation at the The Bosworth Clinic, Cassington www.thebosworthclinic.co.uk
For more information on nutrition related conditions you can contact Helen
directly at [email protected] or on 01865 339672. Please
visit the website at: www.helenmoneynutriion.com
www.b4-business.com
“Providing employees with
appropriate care through access
to physiotherapy and nutritional
support will return employees
to work faster and stronger
”
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