Nutrients Needed for Wound Healing
Overview
A fundamental part of wound healing is optimal nutrition supplementation. Enumerated below are some nutrients necessary for speeding up the processes involve in wound healing.
H – Have a dose of Vitamin C.
This vitamin is necessary for the repair of a damaged tissue and it helps maintains the good integrity of membranes in the body. A deficiency of Vitamin would result to fragility of the capillaries and poor healing of the wound. Sources of Vitamin C are citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, cantaloupe, kiwi, fruit, cabbage, strawberries, melons and tomatoes.
E – Energize cells with Carbohydrates.
A carbohydrate is an energy nutrient that is otherwise known as glucose. Cellular energy is supplied with carbohydrates and this can be obtained from an intake of foods such as cereals, fruits and vegetable milk. Aside from providing cellular energy, carbohydrates also helps in sparing protein which is needed in various processes involved in wound healing and remodeling. A scarcity of carbohydrates in the body would result to the utilization of the proteins in the visceral organs and muscles in the body.
A – Arrange a diet with fats in the plate.
Fats play an essential part in wound healing. It actually does lots of things for the damaged body part to restore to its normal or almost normal structure. First, fats provide cellular energy required for wound repair. Second, it is the source of the essential fatty acids which is a vital component for restoration to take place. I want to highlight the word “essential” here. Essential fatty acids, also called the EFAs or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are good or healthy fats that must be obtained through intake of foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fish, garlic, olive oil and some sources identify moderate wine consumption as a source of this nutrient. EFAs aid in stimulating growth and development of skin and hair, bone health maintenance and metabolism maintenance. These functions of the essential fatty acids produce the remaining function of fats in wound repair which are, manufacturing the cell membrane and prostaglandin production.
Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator (Level II), caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
