Importance of Diet for Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

Importance of Diet for Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

Diet plays a significant role in a person’s recovery from a brain injury. Since these injuries are both common and serious, it is vital to take a comprehensive approach in treating them. According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 2.5 million people are diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. It is essential to seek proper treatment since these types of injuries have the potential to lead to severe complications.

The treatment of a TBI focuses on several areas. Some individuals need to focus on mental rest, giving their brain a chance to recharge and recover. Others may require the assistance of a physical therapist to restore motor and sensory function. In addition to these treatment options, diet also plays a critical role. Therefore, people need to understand what foods to eat and what foods to avoid during the recovery process.

The Appropriate Diet for Brain Injury Recovery

The brain requires a wide array of nutrients to help with cognitive recovery and clear thinking following blunt force trauma to the head. The brain uses a large number of calories every day. Therefore, it is essential to consume calories for the brain that come from healthy sources. Some of the foods to eat following a brain injury include:

Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals that cannot be found anywhere else. These vitamins and minerals are essential cofactors for various enzymatic reactions throughout the body. This includes the brain. For the brain to rely on enzymes to rebuild and restore, fruits and vegetables are a must.

Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds are an essential part of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are the backbone of numerous molecules that are required to rebuild critical structures. Without these building blocks, it may be more challenging for the brain to recover.

Eggs and Meats: Eggs and meat are an excellent source of protein. A diet that is high in protein has been shown to help people recover from all types of brain injuries. Protein is a crucial building block for many molecules throughout the brain.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid Following a TBI

It is just as crucial for people to understand what to exclude in their diet following a TBI. Some of the common factors that may affect TBI recovery include:

Alcohol: Alcohol can seriously impair someone’s recovery following a brain injury. When people suffer a TBI, their alcohol tolerance often declines. Therefore, alcohol can cause severe cognitive problems at a lower level than usual.

Caffeine: Many people drink caffeine daily. However, this can also irritate the central nervous system. This will slow someone’s recovery. Those who drink caffeine should try to scale back their intake during this recovery.

Processed Sugar: Processed sugar is mostly empty calories. Everyone needs to focus on necessary calories when recovering from a brain injury. Replacing processed sugar with healthy nutrients will help someone during their recovery.

Brain Injury Lawyers in Manteca

I’m Ed Smith, a Manteca Brain Injury Lawyer. This information shows that diet plays a vital role during the recovery from a brain injury. If someone you know has suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another person or entity, please contact me today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.