In life, accidents are inevitable and can cause harm to people's bodies. If it is a minor scrape, simple treatment can solve it. If it is a serious injury causing a fracture, careful nursing is needed.
Based on the principle of "eat what you need," many people believe that after a fracture, they should drink more bone broth to aid in a speedy recovery. In fact, this is a misconception. Although bone broth is nutritious, it does not have any effect on the recovery of fractures, nor does it provide calcium.
Bone broth contains abundant nutrients, especially protein and fat. As an affordable and commonly consumed food, it is beneficial to human health and can supplement the necessary nutrients for the body. However, relying solely on bone broth cannot achieve the goal of calcium supplementation, as this practice lacks scientific basis. The calcium content in bone broth is minimal, and the effective absorption of calcium requires sufficient vitamin D, which is lacking in bone broth. The main component of bone broth comes from bone marrow, and the primary component of bone marrow is fat, which has a low calcium content and cannot meet the requirements of fracture patients.
Excessive intake of "bone marrow oil" will only make the patients gain weight and provide little help in the formation of new bones. Therefore, it is incorrect to drink bone broth excessively after a fracture. Patients with fractures should maintain a balanced diet, not focusing solely on calcium intake. They should also increase the consumption of protein-rich foods, foods high in calcium and vitamins, such as dairy products, seafood, soy products, eggs, fish, and fresh vegetables. This is the fundamental way to accelerate bone recovery. In addition, fracture patients should engage in outdoor activities, get more sunlight to aid in calcium absorption and metabolism. They should also pay attention to the impact of unhealthy habits on the body, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and excessive consumption of coffee, which will directly or indirectly affect calcium absorption and metabolism, leading to decreased blood lipids, and should be avoided as much as possible. Of course, proper functional exercise is very effective for later recovery. It can not only improve the overall physical condition but also promote blood supply to the affected limb, enhance joint function, and is essential for accelerating bone healing.
After surgery, fracture patients should also supplement zinc appropriately to promote wound healing. At the same time, they should also supplement various vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, and B-complex vitamins, to achieve a balanced and comprehensive nutrition. Each meal should include fresh vegetables and fruits to prevent constipation. It is particularly emphasized that the diet should be diverse, with a combination of coarse and fine foods, frequent small meals, less consumption of sweets, and less drinking of coffee, strong tea, and carbonated drinks. Smoking and alcohol consumption should be moderate, as these can all decrease bone density. Bedridden patients should regularly receive ultraviolet radiation sunbathing and some functional exercise-assisted treatment. The combination of these treatment methods is more meaningful.
During the initial 1-2 weeks after a fracture, a light diet should be maintained to facilitate digestion and absorption. Patients should consume more eggs, fish soup, vegetables, fruits, soy products, etc., mainly steamed or stewed, and should consume less spicy, greasy, and fried foods. Foods such as honey and bananas can be eaten more because bedridden patients often experience symptoms such as constipation, and these foods can help with bowel movements, promote intestinal health, and alleviate the patient's discomfort.
After about three weeks of injury, the patient's body is no longer so weak, and the body gradually recovers. At this time, appropriate nutrition supplementation can be considered, such as bone broth, fish, eggs, and animal liver. Additionally, more radishes, tomatoes, green peppers, etc., can be consumed, as these foods can meet the needs of bone growth, promote wound healing, and achieve a speedy recovery.
After five weeks, patients can consume more high-nutrient foods and foods rich in calcium, manganese, iron, and other trace elements, such as animal liver, eggs, green vegetables, and wheat. Seafood, soybeans, etc., are rich in zinc. Oatmeal, egg yolks, etc., are rich in manganese. Chicken soup, fish soup, and various bone broths can be selectively added with red dates and goji berries. Fracture patients should avoid misconceptions and consume more foods that can be converted into organic bone glue, such as soy products, fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meat, eggs, fish, etc. In addition to calcium, bones also require phosphorus and iron. Therefore, while supplementing calcium, it is also necessary to consume foods rich in phosphorus and iron, such as standard flour, millet, animal liver, and egg yolks. Adequate supply of vitamin C, vitamin D, etc., is also beneficial for the early healing of fractures.
Editor's Note
The best way to increase calcium intake is through dietary sources. Here are some methods to supplement calcium in your diet: When cooking meat with bones, add a spoonful of vinegar or lemon juice to help release calcium from the bones, making it easier for the body to absorb. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on rice during meals to promote calcium absorption in the body.
Reduce sodium intake in your diet. Research has found that for every additional gram of salt consumed by adult women, there is a 1% increase in calcium loss from the bones. Regular exercise can increase bone hardness and enhance bone flexibility. It is recommended to engage in exercise 2-3 times a week. Avoid overexertion and increasing exercise intensity without professional guidance to prevent damage to bone health. Consume an appropriate amount of protein and fat, as increased intake of protein and fat in the diet can lead to increased excretion of calcium in urine.
