Best Supplements for Injury Recovery (And Nutrition Tips to Heal Faster)

A downside of finding a sport you love is the inevitable injury that sidelines you. It could be a stress fracture, slipped disc, or tendonitis. How do you use your nutrition to support your recovery? For that, let us first understand the process of healing.

When you're injured, whether it's a muscle strain, tendon tear, or bone fracture, your body goes through a multi-stage healing process:

1. Hemostasis: This phase focuses on stopping bleeding and initiating clotting.

2. Inflammation (0–5 days): This initial phase prevents infection and clears damaged cells.

3. Proliferation (4–21 days): Your body starts rebuilding tissue and forming new blood vessels.

4. Remodelling (21 days–12 months): The new tissue strengthens, and the function gradually returns.

Each phase demands different nutrients. During inflammation, the focus is on managing pain and swelling. You need nutrients that promote tissue repair and restore function in the later stages. Getting enough of the right injury recovery supplements can make a significant difference.

Protein provides the building blocks (amino acids) for repairing muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When you're injured, your body enters a catabolic state, breaking down tissue faster. Getting adequate protein can prevent muscle loss and promote regrowth.

• Aim for 1.6–2.2 g of protein per kg of body weight daily.

• Sources: Eggs, chicken, tofu, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and supplements like whey protein isolate and micellar casein protein powder.

Carbs are your body's primary energy source. Energy needs often remain high during recovery, especially if you're still doing light rehabilitation exercises.

• Carbs help spare protein for healing instead of being used for energy.

• Sources: Whole grains, fruits, starchy vegetables, legumes.

Fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, help reduce excessive inflammation that may delay healing.

• Choose healthy fats: salmon, chia seeds, flaxseeds, avocados, nuts.

• Avoid excessive omega-6 fats from processed foods, which can worsen inflammation.

Vitamin C – For collagen production, supporting tendons, joints, and muscles

Vitamin C is crucial in synthesising collagen, a protein needed to rebuild connective tissue.

• Sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, red peppers.

• Alternatively, you can take collagen supplements for muscle sprain and additional support.

Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption and is essential for bone healing. It also supports immune function, helping your body fight infection during recovery.

• Sources: Sunlight, egg yolks, fortified foods, supplements.

Zinc is involved in DNA synthesis, cell division, and immune support – all vital for tissue regeneration.

• Sources: Shellfish, red meat, poultry, pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, legumes.

Magnesium supports muscle relaxation, regulates nerve signals, and aids in sleep – all important during recovery.

• Sources: Dark leafy greens, almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, seeds, whole grains, bananas, dried apricots, brown rice, millet, magnesium supplements.

Not everyone can get all the nutrients they need through food alone. The following injury recovery supplements, however, can support healing and bridge nutritional gaps:

Creatine monohydrate is one of the most studied supplements. It helps preserve muscle mass and strength when one is not training, and is the body’s energy fuel, boosting ATP production.

• Benefits: Reduces muscle loss, supports energy production, and may speed up recovery.

• Use: 3–5 g daily.

High-quality protein powders, such as Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) and Casein, provide essential amino acids (EAAS) quickly and conveniently.

• WPI: Fast-absorbing, ideal post-rehab session.

• Casein: Slow-digesting, perfect before bed.

Taking hydrolysed collagen, the primary building block of the body’s skin, muscles, bones, tendons, and connective tissue, with Vitamin C can boost collagen synthesis for joint, tendon, and ligament healing.

• Dose: 10–15 g collagen + 75–90 mg Vitamin C, 30–60 minutes before movement or rehab.

Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) and Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAsupplements) help reduce muscle breakdown and promote repair.

• BCAAs: Include leucine, isoleucine, valine.

• EAAs: Contain all nine essential amino acids (including EAAs).

• Use: Especially helpful if the appetite is low.

Supplementing with fish oil provides EPA and DHA, which help control inflammation and may speed up the healing of soft tissue injuries. This reduces muscle soreness and stiffness post-injury.

• Dose: 1–3 g EPA + DHA daily. Not more than 2 g coming from supplements.

Glutamine supports immune health and gut integrity, which may be compromised during physical stress or injury.

• It may also help reduce muscle wasting.

• Use: 5–10 g daily.

If you sweat during rehab or live in a hot climate, electrolytes help maintain hydration and muscle function and reduce muscle fatigue during recovery.

• Include: Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium.

If your diet is lacking or your appetite is poor, a quality multivitamin ensures you're not missing critical healing nutrients like Vitamin A, B, and iron.

Make protein the centrepiece of every meal. It helps rebuild muscle, connective tissue, and enzymes involved in repair.

These foods help naturally lower inflammation and support cardiovascular health during reduced activity. They reduce muscle soreness and stiffness post-injury.

Antioxidants protect cells from damage and may aid healing by reducing oxidative stress.

Hydration is often overlooked but vital for nutrient transport and waste removal.

• Try bone broth for added collagen and electrolytes.

Yes, depending on your injury severity and activity level. Healing is an energy-intensive process.

• Don’t restrict calories unless advised by a health professional.

• Focus on nutrient-dense whole foods.

• Increase calorie intake to support the body’s healing and maintain muscle mass.

• Check for interactions with medications or treatments.

• Stick to recommended doses; optimal, and not more, is better.

• Choose reputable brands that undergo third-party testing.

• Consult a healthcare provider before starting new supplements, especially if you have health conditions.

Healing from injury takes time, but combining the right injury recovery supplements with good nutrition, rest, and rehab can significantly improve your outcome. From protein and collagen to creatine and omega-3s, each supplement has a unique role in rebuilding and regenerating your body. Prioritise whole foods, hydrate well, and use injury nutrition supplements as tools to support the process, not shortcuts.

• National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2022, September 28). Zinc: Fact sheet for health professionals. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

• Physiopedia. (n.d.). Wound healing. Retrieved from https://www.physio-pedia.com/Wound_Healing

• Golisano Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). Magnesium-rich foods. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/nutrition/magnesium-foods

• Krupa, K. N., Fritz, K., & Parmar, M. (n.d.). Omega-3 Fatty Acids. In StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564314/#:~:text=EPA%20and%20DHA%20are%20considered,neoplasm%20growth%20in%20murine%20models.&text=Methyl%20mercury%2C%20a%20toxic%20organometallic,do%20not%20contain%20methyl%20mercury

• VPA Australia. (n.d.). Official website. Retrieved from https://www.vpa.com.au