MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is a serious staph infection that is often difficult to treat. Signs of MRSA include a sore on your skin that is red and swollen -- it may also have a pus-filled abscess that can be painful to the touch. MRSA is contracted when the infection reaches a cut in your skin or through blood and bodily fluids. If you have MRSA, your doctor may suggest a healthy diet as part of your medical recovery.
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet will help keep you healthy while you are trying to battle MRSA. Eating a healthy diet means getting foods from each of the food groups, including whole wheat grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats and vegetables. The grain group provides fiber along with several vitamins such as B vitamins, which are essential for your body to metabolize fats and also help with keeping your nervous system healthy. Calcium found in many dairy products assists with keeping your bones healthy and strong while your body recovers. Vegetables are high in potassium and iron. Potassium helps keep your heart healthy and your electrolytes balanced, which is important if you have MRSA. Iron, which is also found in lean meats, helps deliver oxygen to your blood cells.
Vitamin A and C
While MRSA may be hard to treat, especially since it is generally resistant to antibiotics, you should work on keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Vitamin A helps prevent certain eye problems and keeps your eyes healthy by aiding in infection and healing protection. Vitamin A also boasts a healthy immune system and helps with cell development that helps to keep skin healthy and able to fight off foreign bodies such as MRSA. Sources of Vitamin A include liver, eggs, milk and orange colored vegetables and fruit. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid helps to create collagen, this also aids in MRSA related wound healing. Foods rich in vitamin C include red berries such as raspberries and strawberries as well as juices.
Garlic
If you are looking for a homeopathic way to treat your MRSA through diet or to prevent it, garlic may help. Because MRSA is resistant to medicinal antibiotics, a natural antibiotic method may be more effective. Garlic is a natural antiviral and antibiotic agent while it boosts your immune system at the same time. The compound allicin is what gives the herb its antibiotic quality. You can add garlic to most of your meals in powder or whole form. Raw garlic has the most nutrients but you can also use dried or roasted varieties.
Foods to Avoid
If you have MRSA or have come in contact with it, there are certain foods you should avoid as part of your treatment or prevention plan. Foods that contain high amounts of sugar such as ice cream, candy and soda should be eliminated from your diet. They can raise blood glucose levels and compromise your skin's healing process. High glucose levels may weaken your immune system and cause skin breakdown -- making you more susceptible to MRSA. Avoid junk food and processed food. Most of these are high in calories and fat and provide no nutritional value to your diet and your body.
