Along with nutrition, other things to consider are stress, lack of sleep and exposure to environmental toxins. These all affect our hormone levels, resulting in two things:
1. Increased cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. One of its functions is to inhibit inflammatory and immune responses. This is a problem when healing connective tissue because inflammation is a natural response to injury and it is important to keep it in balance. Meaning, that you do not want to either prevent this process from occurring or have it continue for too long a time. Prolonged inflammation causes pain and dysfunction. Totally stopping inflammation with increased cortisol levels or medication can result in delayed healing. Vitamin C and zinc are helpful for “control” of inflammation.
2. Decreased glucose absorption into cells and therefore an inability to make glucosamine. Glucosamine is an “amino sugar” that consists of glucose (sugar) and glutamine, an amino acid. Glucosamine helps cartilage hold water which is vital to cartilage health.
To prevent these two problems which impede connective tissue healing it is important that you have a clean (low toxin) environment and clean drinking water and increase your sleep and decrease your stress. Besides good nutrition, add to your connective tissue repair protocol natural cleaning products, a counter top water filter, and have your daily seated exercises be your “muscle meditation” to decrease your stress.
