Quotations by Elizabeth Motyka

Glutamine is recommended for people who have had surgeries that affect the digestive tract in particular, or those who have received either anti-inflammatory drugs or chemotherapy in the past. Arginine has been shown to increase collagen formation, blood flow to the wound area, and tissue repair. We recommend supplementing with L-glutamine (5-30 g per day) and L-arginine (10-20 g per day) in the first two months following surgery. Caution: Do not take arginine if you have cancer, as it may stimulate the growth of some tumors. FiberSMART by ReNew Life contains a combination of ingredients that support bowel function (glutamine, lactobacillus, etc.) [2006] - Elizabeth Motyka

Simply getting enough protein an calories after your surgery can make a difference in your ability to heal well and avid complications after the operation. While major surgery significantly raises your protein and calorie needs, minor surgery should not require any substantial dietary changes. Ideally, your daily protein intake should not exceed 100 grams unless you're exercising daily. The reason for this is that eating more than that amount can lead to protein overload, since the sedentary or inactive body can only handle so much protein. [2006] - Elizabeth Motyka

To bolster your body's anti-inflammatory potential before and after surgery, we recommend using an omega-3 supplement on a daily basis. For the first 3 months, use an omega-3 supplement that is either pure EPA or very high in EPA, then switch for 3 more months to a fish oil preparation balanced in both EPA and DHA. Finally, for long-range consumption, try to find an omega-3 supplement that contains EPA, DHA, and borage oil. Omega-3 fatty acids may initially be consumed in larger quantity (4-6 grams per day) if you're losing weight after major surgery. After one month, the dosage can be reduced to 1-3 grams per day, depending on your body weight and on whether you still show signs of inflammation. [2006] - Elizabeth Motyka

Having a test called the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) can help you determine whether you have chronic inflammation and need to take aggressive measures. Any prolonged elevation of your CRP, as well as any prolonged elevation of oxidative stress indicators (such as oxidized LDL), is a perfectly good reason to clean up your act. [2006] - Elizabeth Motyka