What supplements help heal bone injuries?

[Iceman4310]

I had a serious wrist injury that has been there for months and does no seem to heal. Are there any supplements that help speed the bone's recovery process?

[StephanieShine]

Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D are the first things that I can think of. You should do a google search on how the ratios of Cal to Mag impact how it is absorbed. Vitamin D also has roles in the absorption of both of those. If your diet is net acidic, calcium will be leeched from you bones.

[Emma-Leigh]

There are a few things that will help, and I wrote a good list of things here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=118575741

Dustinlima I guess eating sardines and salmon with bones would be good than?And anything to in prove blood flow to the area.

Thank You

Yes - >>> sardines and salmon bones = good. Not only for the calcium, but also for the omega.

Most of the other advice above is solid:
- Calcium/ Mg/ Vit D < these are the primary important minerals
- Zn and Boron are also good
- Vitamin K is important in maintaining bones (GO SPINACH)
- Fish oils will be useful AFTER the surgery (don't start for ~ 2 weeks as they interfere with normal blood clotting - which is not so good in surgery ).
- Don't OD on Vit C (which can be PRO-oxidant at high doses) and Vit A (mega doses are shown to negatively correlate with bone mass)
- Maintain a moderate protein intake with a higher potassium intake (prevents acidosis which can decrease bone formation)
- glucosamine and condrotin are more for joints, not so much bones... but they don't hurt. Just make sure you are not allergic to shell fish MSM is also useful to decrease inflammation associated with joints.
- Krill oil OR green lip mussel oil is also good for joints (once again, not so much for the actual BONES)
- Silica / Horsetail supplements show SOME benefit (not a lot... but some)
- DHEA has shown benefit in females (post menopausal)
- Decrease things like Caffeine, Sodium, Alcohol and Smoke inhalation (if you smoke) as they all decrease healing and bone mass
- To maximise healing you also want to decrease cortisol levels <<< so good sleep, adequate recovery time etc etc is all important (things like Gingeng, Hops, passionflower can help with that)
- Then make sure you incorporate adequate rehab exercises ->> to strengthen the area (which will require a good physiotherapy program ).

There is also a similar discussion on shoulder joint recovery here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=119858341

Which links to a discussion on connective tissue healing: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=119441901

are their any foods which help collagen synthesis thus healing? this is for an injury thanks

Collagen is one of those really poorly healing body tissues.... Bad blood supply and relatively little cell turn over in order to repair.... But there are many different types too.... So it depends on what your injury is - eg: skin? Ligaments/ Tendons?

Overall.... What you need depends on your diet/ calorie intake/ immune level and any comorbid conditions you have... But the basics are always important - adequate protein, adequate energy level, good vitamin/ mineral status... etc....

On top of that -
EFA fatty acids help promote vascular health and blood flow....
Zinc and vitamin C has good evidence in tissue health/ healing...
Vit A and E.... Vit D has shown good response recently too...
Hyaluronic acid has shown some benefits...
They use Arginine a lot now in tissue healing - and it is showing good effect...
Things like OKG are also being used more and more....
Glutamine (high doses) and BCAA's have been used in people with additional health issues (such as burns victims or multi-trauma patients) - but this data is hardly transposable to real world situations...

Otherwise -> be patient.... and be sensible in your training - and it is just a matter of appropriate physio + waiting.

And another on tendon healing: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=119441901