When a sports injury occurs, there are numerous nutrients that can be taken internally for support in settling a non-homeostatic, unbalanced inflammatory environment like fish oil, curcumin, ginger, boswellia, quercetin, etc. The focus here is on topical nutrients that are easy to apply and contribute to compliance since they don’t need to be swallowed.
• Proteolytic Enzymes - such as pancreatin and trypsin, along with enzymes like amylase and pancrelipase, clear cellular debris and waste from exercise/trauma. When cellular debris is allowed to accumulate, it attracts white blood cells and contributes to the inflammatory component of the injury. Papain (from papaya) and bromelain (from pineapple) are proteolytic plant enzymes, well known for their supportive powers when it comes to sports injury.
•Arnica Montana - for a calm cellular environment. A very recent study (the month of this publication in fact) notes that “Arnica is a traditional herbal medicine used for blunt injuries, e.g., bruises and squeezes, and the topical application of the bioactive substances (sesquiterpene lactones) at the site of injury (as compared to systemic uptake) may be considered advantageous” (Jurgens FM et al. Dermal Absorption of Sesquiterpene Lactones from Arnica Tincture. Pharmaceutics. 2022 Mar 29;14(4):742.)
• Aloe vera, peppermint, and lavender oil - soothing and relaxing with added health benefits. Aloe enhances the penetration of substances into the skin, so it can potentiate the benefits of other herbs and nutrients (Sharma et al. (2015). Aloe Vera as Penetration Enhancer. International Journal of Drug Development and Research. 7. 31-43.)
• Zinc and synergistic minerals like manganese - zinc always comes to mind for wound support. I recently mentioned in the December adjusting article how important manganese is for ligament and tendon support; it also helps hold adjustments.
• Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and glutathione - are powerful antioxidants that promote the cellular integrity needed after injury. Additionally, vitamin C and bioflavonoids like rutin support collagen tissue and the healing process.
tional and Lynn consultant authored Toohey the organizes to Nutri-West Functional seminars, (www.nutriwest.com) Health Evaluation acts as a nutriprogram that analyzes blood tests and DNA raw data (www.FFIEcloud.com). Dr. Toohey can be reached at [email protected] with any questions.
