Hysterectomy Blog: Day 18 Food Is My Medicine, My Medicine Is My Food

Feb 22, 2019I’ve battled severe #endometriosis since I was 13 and the journey through chronic pain, heavy periods, ovarian cysts, infertility and recurrent scarring/adhesions brought me to the decision to finally have the #hysterectomysurgery. When I woke up from anesthesia I was relieved to hear that it went smoothly but disappointed that the laparoscopic route had to be changed to a full abdominal incision due to the extent of my endometrial disease. #Woundhealing is a complex event that develops in three overlapping phases: inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling.So I decided to be proactive about #diet and #supplements to support a quicker healing process. I was off my pain meds by day 3 due to side effects that I couldn’t tolerate.I have been blessed to have a meal train of delicious home cooked Indian and vegan food from my friends filled with #turmeric, #ginger and #garlic, all wonderful healing spices that also help my pain and my digestion.A review of the gastroprotective effects of gingerhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23612703/A review of how the active organosulfur compound in garlic #Allium sativum, modulates cytokine secretion, immunoglobulin production, phagocytosis, and macrophage activation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4417560/These two studies review #curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, its antioxidant, radical scavenger, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities and its wound healing properties that enhance granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, tissue remodeling and wound contraction.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25200875/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27640646/I paid attention to an #antiinflammatory diet getting good sources of #fat and #protein, (lentils, beans, eggs) organic fruits vegetables (berries, avocados, coconut, dates, crucifers) #nuts and #seeds (pistachios cashews almonds flax and chia) and #oils (coconut oil, ghee, olive oil). I continue to stay off processed foods and sugars and drink a lot of #water and #green #teas.After a week, the proliferative stage of healing began so in addition to getting my nutrients from food, I supplemented with #Omega3fattyacids, turmeric, and a good multivitamin with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, copper and #zinc which are main players during this time of tissue repair aiding in #collagen formation.Zinc and copper are cofactors for many metalloenzymes required for cell membrane repair, cell proliferation, growth and immune system function and evidence suggests that omega-3 PUFA may enhance local inflammatory responses at wound sites.Zinc in wound healinghttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793244/Omegas in wound healinghttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25371851/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25373096/I added in #bromelain #enzymes before meals which are well-recognized for their anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic immunomodulatory effects, in addition to being a wound healing and circulatory improvement agent.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4998156/#Manuka #honey and #AloeVera gel are used locally in many cultures for wound healing but more studies are needed so I was hesitant to try them, as my incision is healing well. Preliminary results are also promising for the use of oral collagen supplements for wound healing.Manuka and Aloehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16099322/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4452276/Collagenhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30681787/It’s amazing how times have changed, I went home with no dressing and no sutures or staples. I was instructed to wash the incision with soap and water, keep it dry and allow the dissolvable stitches to work their magic. I saw my doctor this week for my follow up and he was very pleased with my progress. As I move into the remodeling stage of healing, I was so excited when he said I could start slow #walking and gentle #yoga stretches to prevent scar tissue and adhesions.