5 Ways to Support Your Wound Healing Through Your Diet

In the United States, about 6.5 million people are affected by chronic, slow-healing wounds. This statistic includes the 1.6 million diabetic foot ulcers that develop each year in the US.

The reality is that there are several roads to chronic and slow-healing wounds and they can each end in the same unfortunate place, infection and even amputation, which are outcomes that we work diligently to avoid.

While double board-certified wound specialist Dr. Thomas Rambacher and our team at Foot Ankle Leg Wound Care Orange County can certainly do the medical heavy lifting in getting your chronic foot, ankle, or leg wound to heal, you can also play an important role. A great example of this is dietary changes you can make to support wound healing. Let's take a look.

1. Manage your blood sugar levels

First and foremost in wound healing is controlling the glucose levels in your blood. To start, infection-causing bacteria are activated by sugar, causing them to spread and multiply. As well, glucose promotes an inflammatory environment in your body that can interfere with healing.

So, if you’re among the 40+ million Americans with diabetes, we want you to double down on controlling your blood sugar levels. Even if you don’t have diabetes, it’s a good idea to stay away from sugar and carbs (think baked goods) while you’re trying to heal.

2. Increase protein for tissue repair

Protein is the cornerstone of healing and repairs in your tissues, so you want to make sure you’re getting plenty of it for your chronic wound. Great sources of protein include:

Chicken
Eggs
Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk
Fish
Beans and lentils
Nuts

We suggest that you aim for about 60-100 grams of protein per day, and we’re happy to help you come up with a more personalized number that suits your needs.

3. Magnesium for healing and reducing swelling

Magnesium is a great nutrient that promotes healing, reduces swelling, and is critical for bone and muscle health.

So, as you heal from a chronic wound, make sure you’re taking in magnesium (about 300-400 milligrams per day). When it comes to diet, magnesium can be found in:

Bananas
Avocados
Almonds and cashews
Leafy greens
Whole grains

You can also take a magnesium supplement to make sure your bases are covered.

4. Zinc to help new skin grow

When it comes to skin health, zinc is an important mineral and it can be found in:

Fish and seafood
Spinach
Yogurt
Eggs
Chick peas and lentils
Nuts and seeds
Leafy greens

Zinc can also be found in meats and poultry, making them great resources.

5. Vitamin A for new skin cell creation

When you’re trying to get a wound to heal, creating new skin cells is critical, and that’s where vitamin A can help. This vitamin supports new skin cell growth and can be found in the following foods:

Tomatoes
Sweet potatoes
Eggs
Peppers
Melons
Carrots
Broccoli
Leafy greens
Squash

Vitamin A is also abundant in whole milk. If you only drink low fat or nonfat milk, these are often fortified with vitamin A.

On the road to healing

As you can see, there’s plenty of crossover between the dietary recommendations we outlined above, which can make things a little easier. To boot, each of these nutrients not only supports wound healing, but your overall health and wellness, as well.

If you’d like a more personalized dietary strategy to promote healing in your chronic wound, we’re happy to help. To get that ball rolling, please call our office in Mission Viejo, California, at 949-832-6018 or request an appointment online today.