Garry Delforge defines a nutrient as "a substance that promotes tissue growth" in "Musculoskeletal Trauma." A vitamin is a nutrient. Accordingly, all vitamins contribute to muscle growth and repair. However, some nutrients contribute to repair more directly than others. Moreover, mammalian cells cannot synthesize vitamins; instead, they act as catalysts for enzymatic activity within the body.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is essential to collagen synthesis, which applies to the formation of connective tissue, skin, scar tissue and blood vessels. Furthermore, vitamin C facilitates the formation of new capillaries in the event of trauma. This vitamin is also essential for processes related to healing wounds and repairing teeth, bones and cartilage. Moreover, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, which indirectly prevents damage by minimizing the effects of free radicals. This vitamin appears most prevalently in fruits and vegetables that have a tangy or sour taste. Over-the-counter vitamin C supplements are available.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is essential to blood coagulation, or clotting. This is because vitamin K is a cofactor in the synthesis of prothrombin, which is a coagulant. In this way, vitamin K indirectly applies to tissue repair by activating the initial healing process in the event of damaged tissue. This vitamin also prevents bruising, proof that it prevents tissue damage as well. Vitamin K appears in green or leafy vegetables, legumes and cereals. Bacteria also naturally synthesize vitamin K in the large intestine.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is vital to healing bone breakages and fractures. The vitamin facilitates the application of minerals like calcium and phosphorous to the reconstruction of osseous tissue by regulating the absorption of the minerals through the gastrointestinal tract. A vitamin D deficiency could result in improperly healed bone damage. Vitamin D appears in fish, mushrooms and dairy products.
References
- "Musculoskeletal Trauma: Implications for Sports Injury Management"; Gary Delforge; 2002
- "Nutrition Secrets"; Charles W. Van Way and Carol S. Ireton-Jones; 2004
- Medline Plus: Vitamin C
- Medline Plus: Vitamin K
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
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