当你有一个伤口,如压力伤害(formally known as pressure ulcers or sores), diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds, full or partial thickness wounds, burns and more, what you eat makes a major difference in the rate of your wound healing. There are various food items that can help speed up the healing process of wounds, whether they are severe or moderate. These food items and additional vitamins and minerals help to provide the necessary growth of newskintissue and improve blood flow.
Note: It is important for those who have Type 2DiabetesMellitus to optimally control blood glucose levels if a wound is present. Poor wound healing andinfection通常是控制糖尿病的结果。在一个animal study conducted by a team of Japanese researchers and published in the Medical Archives Journal, it was discovered thatSpontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat (with type 2 diabetes) showed a delayed wound healing as compared to the normal rats. However, once it was administered orally withsodiumglucose, a glycemic control, its impaired wound healing showed signs of improvement.[1]
Foods and Supplements for Wound Healing
The food items that can help cure your wounds faster include:
Turmeric
Turmericis a well-knownspicethat is popularly used for the treatment of wounds.Curcumin, anantioxidantpresent in turmeric, helps in lowering inflammation and speeding up the healing process. Simply apply a paste of turmeric on the wound and wrap it with a cloth for speedy healing but before doing so, check with your healthcare provider to ensure this is safe. This is still a common practice in many parts of Asia.
Oral Nutrition Supplements
It is recommended to consider one’s current nutrition and mental state. For example, those who are elderly and have wounds might have more difficulty with healing and increasing their calorie andproteinneeds due to the decreasedappetitethat happens commonly with advanced aging. Dietitians recommend the consumption of high calorie, high protein shakes such as Boost, Ensure Enlive, Glucerna (for diabetics), Nepro (for those withkidney diseaseor on dialysis), or Kate Farms (for those with foodallergiesand intolerances). These shakes are convenient and an easy way of ensuring proper protein intake. There are many options to consider when selecting an oral nutrition supplement and these can be purchased at your local grocery or convenience store.
Dairy Products
Dairy products such asmilkandyogurtcan aid in the healing process of wounds due to highconcentrationsof protein andzinc. However, science is yet to provide enough evidence to prove the role of proteins found in milk in terms of wound healing.
Wound healing is usually a four stage process. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Eggs
Eggsare a great source of protein (found in the egg white) and contain many vitamins in the yellow yolk. Their nutritive value is 80 calories, 6 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fat. They mostly containvitamin Aand D but also contain zinc andiron.
Meat
Meathas a significant amount of protein and zinc and therefore, it aids in speeding up the healing of wounds. Protein is great for maintaining tissue growth and building lean muscle mass. To determine how much protein you need for wound healing and how to get enough of it in your diet, consult a Registered Dietitian. Depending on the severity of the wound, protein needs will be increased compared to the average person without wounds.[2]
Zinc
There is ample clinical evidence showing that zinc aids in the promotion of epithelialization of wounds. Foods that contain zinc include meat products (oystersand other seafood, beef,chicken, etc.), dairy products, wholewheat, andwheat germ, beans,lentils, and variousnuts. It is also good to consider a multivitamin and mineral supplement if you are unable to include zinc containing foods in your diet due tofood allergiesor preferences.[3]
Vitamin C
Vitamin Cis essential for the healing of wounds and the formation of scar tissue. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that is necessary forcollagenformation in the skin. Therefore, people with wounds should eat ample amounts ofamla,guava,lemon, orange,cranberry,strawberry,pineapple,kiwifruit,broccoli,cauliflower,tomato,spinach,cabbage, and other food items that contain vitamin C.[4]
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoesare a rich source ofvitamin A,vitamin B, and vitamin C, which are known to speed up wound healing.[5]
Ghee
Ghee(made from cow’s milk), also known as clarifiedbutter, is used extensively inAyurvedafor the healing of wounds. According to research published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, ghee aids in closing wounds and regenerating cells around the wounds, eventually speeding up the healing process.[6]
These natural alternatives should be used in combination with what your doctor has suggested. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Iron
A deficiency of iron, also known as anemia, may retard the process of wound healing. Oftentimes, iron tablets and foods containing iron are recommended to people after surgeries to guarantee improved wound healing. Some of these foods are leafyvegetables, lentils, and turkey. However, there is conflicting research that shows very few effects of anemia on wound healing.[7]
Fluids
Finally, for any form of healing, it is necessary that you consume ample amounts of fluids. To be clear, we are not talking aboutcoffee,carbonateddrinks, and alcohol. It is best to only consume adequate amounts of water. When you increase your protein intake, it can causedehydration. Most people need 30 mL per kilogram of body weight or a minimum of 1,500 mL per day (1.5 liters). It is important to monitor for signs and symptoms of dehydration.
Increase Calories
It is recommended to increase the total amount of calories (30-35 calories per kilogram of body weight) while trying to heal a wound or multiple wounds. You also want to ensure that you’re still consuming an adequate amount ofcarbohydratesand fats in addition to the increased protein needs mentioned above.
