Provision of adequate Kcalories (energy) is the primary
concern in facilitating wound healing. If insufficient energy
is provided, this leads to a loss of fat stores and overall
weight loss. Muscle atrophy and decreased muscle function also
results as protein is being used as an energy source.
The opposite however is true, excess kcalories may lead to
obesity, itself a complicating factor in wound healing.
Adipose (fat) tissue is poorly perfused and can be more
susceptible to breakdown. Energy sources: cereal, potatoes,
bread, pasta, sugars, oils and spreads.
Protein deficiency impairs wound healing by inhibiting
fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. When protein
status is depleted, wounds have decreased tensile strength and
retarded connective tissue formation (Wallace, 1994). An
inadequate protein intake, often in conjunction with excessive
losses of protein via heavily exudating wounds (~80-100g
protein/day), will lead to deficiency which can prolong the
inflammatory response and result in oedema secondary to
hypoalbuminaemia, thereby impairing the healing process
Protein depletion also has wider implications for wound
healing in that it depletes the systemic protein pool,
affecting all organs of the body as a result of muscle loss eg
decreased respiratory rate, reducing oxygen saturation of the
blood, and decreased cardiac output limiting tissue perfusi...
Article on Impotance of Nutrition for Healing. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 13:47, March 03, 2015, from https://www.collegetermpapers.com/viewpaper/1304256574.html