Connective tissue: Maintaining and restoring fascia
Maintaining and restoring fascia (connective tissue) is an important topic, especially after treatments such as a Myofascial Energetic Release (MER). Indeed, the essence of restoring and supporting your fascia comes down to providing it with the right building blocks, such as:
1. Water and Sea Salt
- Properly hydrated fascia: Water is essential because it hydrates the “ground substance” of the fascia, which keeps the tissue supple and elastic.
- Sea Salt: Unprocessed, unfiltered sea salt (such as Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt) helps retain water in the fascia and ensure it is absorbed by the cells.
2. Omega 3 (for Elastin)
- Elastin: This is the component that makes your fascia elastic. Omega 3 fatty acids contribute to this, but it is important to choose a pure source.
- Sources: Use fermented cod liver oil or high-quality fish oil, preferably packaged immediately after capture to avoid oxidation. Oxidized fish oil can be harmful.
3. Collagen
- Strong structure: Collagen provides strength to your fascia.
- Sources: Most easily obtained from animal bone broth or bone marrow. Supplements such as hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides can supplement, but natural sources are preferred.
Microbiome and Food Intake
- Healthy gut microbiome: Your gut microbiome determines how efficiently your body absorbs needed nutrients from your diet. Problems in the microbiome can lead to decreased absorption or fat storage.
- Advice: Have your microbiome tested if necessary and consult a naturopath or nutritionist to optimize your diet and gut health.
Additional Tips:
- Exercise: Light, regular exercise (such as yoga, stretching, or walking) helps keep the fascia fluid.
- Anti-inflammatory foods: Avoiding pro-inflammatory foods (such as processed foods, sugars, and trans fats) can help keep your fascia healthier.
- Vitamin C: This is a crucial cofactor for collagen production and can be obtained from citrus fruits, berries, peppers, and green leafy vegetables.
4. Magnesium
- Importance for fascia: Magnesium plays a crucial role in the repair of fascia. It helps make the tissue more fluid, increasing flexibility and resilience. In addition, magnesium supports the absorption of water, collagen and elastin, accelerating the fascia repair process.
- Sources: Magnesium can be absorbed through food (such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and avocados), transdermally through magnesium oil or flakes in a bath, or as a supplement (such as magnesium citrate or bisglycinate, which are highly absorbable).
- Muscle relaxation: Magnesium also helps reduce muscle tension and spasms in the fascia, which is especially helpful after EIA treatment.
By adding magnesium to your routine, you can enhance the effects of the other building blocks and optimize the recovery process.
Author - Roland Engelbracht
Certified MER Practitioner & Trainer