Nutrition suggestions to promote recovery from surgery

Dear Columbia Alumnus,

Several nutrients are important in supporting a healthy central nervous system (CNS). Your best bet is to get these nutrients through food, as there is no evidence that taking large doses of nutritional supplements will speed your recovery. Key nutrients include:

• Vitamin A: Helps maintain nerve cell sheaths, found in fortified dairy products.
• Beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A): Helps maintain nerve cell sheaths; found in Spinach, dark leafy green vegetables, broccoli, deep orange fruits and veggies (apricots, cantaloupe, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin)
• Thiamin: Supports nervous system function; found in pork, ham, liver, whole grains, legumes (beans and peas), nuts
• Niacin: Also supports a healthy nervous system; found in milk, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, whole grain and enriched breads and cereals.
• Vitamin B₁₂: Maintains the sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers and promotes their normal growth; found in all animal based foods (For vegans, fortified soy milk or yeast grown in a vitamin B12 rich environment are recommended).
• Copper: Helps form the protective covering of nerves; found in grains, nuts, meats, seeds, some drinking water.

After surgery, eating properly can help with the recovery process. Obtaining adequate calories and protein is vital. Protein is extremely important for recuperation. Not only is it required for fighting infections, it is the backbone for repair and maintenance of many crucial tissues in the body. In addition, protein is vital for building collagen, which is necessary for scar formation.

In addition, plasma proteins, formed from dietary proteins, maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.

Other important nutrients specific to wound healing include:

• Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, dark green vegetables, cantaloupe, strawberries, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, papayas, mangoes.
• Zinc: Found in meat, fish, poultry, beans

A person with post-surgery complications or depleted nutrition stores needs more calories and protein than s/he did before the procedure, regardless of his or her weight. A higher caloric intake also increases the need for B-vitamins. Supplements usually are not necessary since these nutrients are found in a wide array of foods.

As there are no supplements that are recommended for enhanced recovery, get your nutrients from a well-balanced eating plan, rich in a variety of fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins, such as lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Happy healing!