Concussion and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Nutrition Support with Dietitian and Nutritionist

A registered dietitian and nutritionist can help manage concussion and TBI in the following ways:

• When it comes to the dietary management of concussions, the research focuses on eating an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich diet to support brain cell regeneration and neuroplasticity. Omega-3 fatty acids are highlighted as being particularly important here.
• A registered dietitian (RD) can provide nutritional counselling to help guide those recovering from concussions eat in a way that optimizes their recovery and accelerates brain healing.
• A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have many overlapping symptoms with concussions, as concussions fall under the umbrella of TBIs, but a main difference between the two is that a TBI will show up on imagining (i.e. MRI or CT scan), whereas concussions do not.
• TBIs can be moderate to severe in nature as a result, causing additional symptoms such as loss of consciousness, memory loss and even coma.
• Dietary intervention is critical for the treatment of TBIs, particularly those that are more moderate to severe. The trauma involved causes metabolism to accelerate, putting the patient in a state referred to as catabolic, which means they require a significant amount of calories more than at baseline. In hospital, this often requires enteral (tube feeding) and/or parenteral (IV feeding) nutrition.
• Maintaining bowel motility, blood sugar control and adequate protein intake are factors that also play a critical role in the treatment of TBIs and prevention of complications.
• A dietitian and nutritionist plays a crucial part in the recovery journey among individuals who have experienced TBIs, both in an inpatient setting and outpatient setting.
• Similar to stroke victims, people who have experienced moderate to severe TBIs have a long journey towards recovery, which can involve ongoing complications and symptoms, the dietary ones of which a dietitian can assist with.
• Dietitians and nutritionists also have the knowledge to address any food and medication interactions, along with ability to make supplement recommendations.
• Dietitians can also provide follow-up sessions to monitor progress, address additional concerns, answer questions and make ongoing adjustments to the plan, if necessary.
• Address any other co-existing chronic disease and/or conditions, needs and goals.
• Have concerns addressed and questions answered by a registered dietitian and nutritionist.
• And more.