Speeding up the healing process through diet.

Many people with bumps and knocks and slow healing wounds (which are known as ulcers) are keen to do everything they can to get back to normal. Here are some of the things you can eat and drink to help your wounds heal quicker.

Eat more protein:

Studies have shown that people with wounds need a lot more extra protein in their diet for healing. We need a higher percentage of protein in our diet as we age anyway, and your protein need can triple with a particularly nasty, wet wound.  Protein in meals delivers the amino acids necessary for wound healing and if deficient the body will prioritize protein needed for muscles over that needed for wound healing.

Achieving the recommended protein intake for wound healing, can be extremely challenging. People naturally think of eating more meat and fish but many people don’t like to eat meat at every meal or are vegetarian.

Simple ‘swaps’ our experienced wound care nurses suggest are eggs with your morning toast, high protein yoghurts instead of standard ones, cereal swaps ( such as weetabix ‘protein’ for weetabix), protein pasta- available in health food shops and made from pea protein , high protein snack bars, protein ice-cream and protein shakes.

Vitamins , antioxidants and minerals in fresh fruit and vegetables also help improve wound healing, and it may be worth discussing taking a supplement to boost these as well .

You should aim to maintain your weight whilst healing, and then if you need to lose weight to start this again when you have healed.

Cut down alcohol

Alcohol exposure significantly reduces the level of key components of the immune system involved in healing and significantly decreases healing rates. High alcohol use doubles the risk of wound infections. It is amazing to see how even tiny little antimicrobial peptides in the outer layer of skin are reduced in number by a few glasses of your favourite tipple. We recommend cutting down alcohol to an occasional drink, and no more than 2 drinks on any one occasion.

Continue to exercise

Exercise reduces oxidative damage to tissues, reduces inflammation, and maintains wellbeing.

Keeping on with physical activity is an important part of healing.

By using dressings and medical adhesives that stay secure longer, it is possible to exercise without dressings falling off. We tend to use waterproof dressings for people who  exercise vigorously as sweat can break down some adhesives. Many people find being told not to swim an unpleasant aspect of having a wound, and there are multiple ways around this. It is important however to speak with your practice, community or homewoundcare specialist nurse  to find the right way for you. We often recommend our clients to schedule a wound dressing appointment for shortly after they exercise.