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What Is Immunonutrition?

Nutrition is an important factor in preparing for joint surgery.  If you or a loved one is preparing for joint replacement surgery, you need to know about Immunonutirian.

Immunonutrition involves activating our body's immune system through the intake of specific nutrients. Immunonutrition uses nutritional interventions to produce health-related effects beyond the fundamental nutrient value and modulate the neuroendocrine immunoinflammatory supersystem.

Amino acids, antioxidant vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides are considered immunonutrition and can modulate inflammation and improve the immune system.

Surgery can weaken your immune system and leave you vulnerable to infection and other complications. When preparing for surgery, consider immunonutrition intake and the healing effects of lowering the body's overall inflammatory response. Immunonutrition helps control your immune response by providing your body the nutrients it needs to avoid vulnerability and infections..

What nutrients are considered Immunonutrition?

Amino Acids: Essential amino acids are: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine. Foods high in amino acids are quinoa, turkey, cottage cheese, eggs, mushrooms, fish, and legumes.

Antioxidants: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Flavonoids, Curcuminoids (found in Turmeric), and Oleocanthal (found in olive oil). Foods high in antioxidants are kale, blueberries, dark chocolate, Gogi berries, artichokes, and pecans.

Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids are all essential dietary fats. Foods like fatty fish, eggs, flax seeds, soybeans, and walnuts are high in omegas.

Immunonutrition has promising potential to reduce the length of hospital stay and reduce the risk of infection by helping patients avoid malnourishment and a weakened immune system. Nutrition is essential for optimal recovery after joint replacement surgery.

Dr. Paul Jacob is a leading hip and knee surgeon in Oklahoma City who pioneered robotic joint replacement surgery in an outpatient setting. Dr. Jacob has performed over 5000 robotic joint replacement procedures and actively participates in numerous research studies on robotic outcomes. Dr. Jacob is committed to excellence by achieving the highest patient outcomes with the Oklahoma Joint Reconstruction Research Institute. It has been published in The Journal of Knee Surgery, Journal of Orthopedics, Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. Arthritis & Rheumatology, and The Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine.

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