Today’s post is written by our guest blogger, Dr. Joshua Charles, a chiropractor and wellness coach. I wanted to show to my readers how different is the approach of an alternative doctor as opposed to a conservative one. Back in 2005, in my university years, I had a mild carpal-tunnel-syndrome because of too much computer work. I went through the conventional route which did nothing but prescribing me with medicine against inflammation and pain. A friend of mine recommended a chiropractor, which I never would have considered, but because I was in so much pain, decided to give it a try. The results were amazing, only a month after having the adjustments I felt so much better, but the best part was the suggestions he gave me. Things like, drink lots of water, eat fresh raw food more often, exercise more, etc. This was so different than what I was used to hearing from my physician and specialist. After this experience I realized that conventional medicine is helpful only when it’s already too late and you need medicinal intervention. When you feel something is just starting to form, or a symptom that is bagging you and no one seems to understand what is going on, I would seek an alternative help.

Vitamin C and Ankle Sprains

Most people know that Vitamin C is good for you, especially during the winter months. We’ve all heard that drinking orange juice or adding a lemon to your tea will help you get over a cold quicker, but did you know that Vitamin C can also help you heal faster from a sprained ankle? In fact, Vitamin C is a very important vitamin that helps with all sprains and strains as it helps repair the damaged ligaments and muscles.

The key function of Vitamin C for healthy healing is supporting the building of collagen (the principle protein of connective tissue). On top of that, Vitamin C works as a very powerful antioxidant, thereby working twice as hard during tissue repair and regeneration. The recommended daily intake of Vitamin C is 80-90 mg per day, but after an acute injury, like twisting your ankle, you should supplement 1-2 grams (1,000-2,000 mg) daily until the healing is complete.

Significant sources of Vitamin C are the well-known citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, pineapples, oranges, and grapefruits. Other excellent sources of Vitamin C are dark green vegetables, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, thyme, parsley, strawberries, kiwis, peppers (yellow peppers have the most), tomatoes, potatoes, guavas, papayas, and mangoes. And if you’re a fan of spicy foods, go ahead and use green chili peppers. Did you know that green chili peppers contain more Vitamin C than any other food?

For maximum Vitamin C value and best healing results, it’s always ideal to use fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables whenever possible.