Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Article: Wound healing and nutrition

Wound healing, as a normal biological process in the human body, is achieved through four precisely and highly programmed phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Several factors affect the rate of wound healing including oxygenation, infection, age and sex hormones, stress, diabetes, obesity, medications, alcoholism, smoking, and nutrition. One of the factors that will be discussed here is nutrition. Good nutrition facilitates wound healing particularly protein, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C and zinc.

Protein depletion can affect the rate and quality of wound healing. Protein requirement is approximately 20-50% higher during wound healing process. Protein is required as part of the inflammatory process, in the immune response and in the development of granulation tissue. The main protein synthesised during the healing process is collagen, and the strength of the collagen determines wound strength.

The amino acid arginine becomes essential during severe stress. It is abundant in the structure of collagen, and increases its tensile strength. Arginine metabolism is also related to the production of nitric oxide, which is bactericidal, and also aids wound healing through microvascular and haemodynamic changes.

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids and are anti-inflammatory which aid wound healing, but it is debatable as to whether omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial to wound healing.

Vitamin C involves in collagen synthesis. Copper is also another important nutrient that stimulates collagen synthesis.

Zinc is required for protein synthesis and is also a co-factor in enzymatic reactions. During cell proliferation and protein secretion, increased demand for zinc has been shown. Zinc also has an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth, and is involved in the immune response.

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