Quel fromage? Women’s downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn stumped some U.S. cheese sellers with the obscure curd she slathered on her bruised shin to help her heal quickly for the Olympics.
When Vonn was injured Feb. 2 during training in Austria, she did as some Austrian skiers do: She wrapped topfen cheese curd on her right shin to ease swelling.
What’s it called? Is it from cows?
“I’ve never heard of it,” said Zack Schafer, manager of Cheese Traders &Wine Sellers in South Burlington, Vt., ski country. Rachel Riggs, who owns the cheese and wine shop Quel Fromage in Bellingham was similarly challenged.
“Is that a home remedy, or is that an old wives’ tale, or what is it?” Riggs said. “Curds are not a sophisticated cheese. They’re like a fun, campy sort of cheese.”
Vonn’s not the first athlete to reach for unusual treatments for help with an injury: Serbian soccer player Danko Lazovic reportedly had placenta fluid rubbed into a bad hamstring by a Belgrade housewife with a reputation for speeding up recovery. His experience led Dutch player Robin Van Persie to the housewife’s door after an ankle injury.
There are also devotees of emu fat for a multitude of ailments, including a rub for pain, swelling and aching muscles and joints, according to Emuoil naturally.com.
Research has emerged that points to anti-inflammatory benefits of bioactive peptides from milk proteins broken down in fermented yogurts, cheeses and other dairy products again, when eaten.
When she reached for the cheese, the 25-year-old Vonn also tried laser therapy and massage. She’s using painkillers and a Novocaine-type cream.
Perhaps more importantly, according to sports medicine doctor Nicholas DiNubile, the weather-related days off she’s had have helped more than the cheese.
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