Any surgical procedure is hard on the body. Major surgery poses many risks. Every person handles surgery differently, and some people come through with flying colors while others suffer with long-term pain from adhesions or slow healing. However, there are many things you can do you to help your body prepare for a major surgery. You can take vitamins and eat super foods to strengthen your body before the surgery.
When to Start
If possible you should start implementing these changes up to a year before your surgery. The ideal situation would be to take these vitamins as just a regular part of your lifestyle. Yet, some people are not able to make the changes in time. If you don't have a year, then you should at least start taking vitamins three months before your surgery and while you are healing.
Take Your Vitamins
You should always take your vitamins with whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. Your body is better able to absorb vitamins when you take them with food. Be sure to drink a large glass of water about 30 minutes before eating your meal. Eat your vitamins before your meal. Prepare a healthy meal three times per day, in addition to eating healthy snacks when you are hungry. If you have a hard time swallowing large pills, you may want to take a liquid vitamin supplement.
Whole Food Multivitamin
Choose a whole food multivitamin and mineral supplement that is well rounded with all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. You need to be sure that you're getting a good dose of vitamins such as vitamin B12 and vitamin E, and important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Whole food vitamins are easier for the body to utilize because they are made from food. You can find vitamins at your local health food store or online.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one vitamin that you must include in your life before your surgery. Vitamin C will help your body heal much faster. Taking vitamin C also helps prevent you from getting sick, which is something you do not want to experience after a major surgery. For the best results take 2000 mg of vitamin C per day. If you find that you are getting diarrhea, decrease your dose to 500 mg per day, and gradually increase your dosage to give your body time to adjust up until the surgery. If you do experience diarrhea, be sure to drink extra water as well.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a very important vitamin when it comes to healing. Vitamin A protects cells and helps to renew tissue. The safest form of vitamin A is beta carotene, which is found in carrots. This is a form of vitamin A that is not toxic to the body and easily digestible. You can simply eat three to four carrots per day, or take a beta carotene vitamin supplement each day. For best results you need to take 20,000 IU of beta carotene daily for one week before surgery.
Cod liver oil
Cod liver oil is another important nutrient that you need to include in your diet before surgery. The omega-3 fatty acids found in cod liver oil help to reduce inflammation and speed the healing process. In addition, the cod liver oil also help to prevent blood clots. Blood clots are a complication that can arise after or during a surgery. Everyone is at risk for developing blood clots, but some people are more susceptible, such as people with a family history of clots or elderly people. Take 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil every day.
Superfoods
Super foods help give your body additional strength and energy needed to prepare for what is ahead. Two major super foods that you need to include in your diet are chlorella and spirulina. Both of these foods are sea algae that have potent levels of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
You get the best results if you take both types of sea algae because each has unique properties. Spirulina is a better source of protein that is more easily digestible, but chlorella has additional cleansing benefits for the body. Chlorella binds to toxins and flushes them out of the body quickly.
Also be sure to buy chlorella that says the cell wall has been cracked on the bottle. This helps your body to better absorb the nutrients in chlorella. In addition to eating powerful superfoods, include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Be sure to drink 8 to 10 glasses of pure water each day. If you are taking medications or have concerns, talk to your doctor before implementing any of these changes.
