The Island Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center sees patients with open and non-healing wounds. Non-healing wounds can happen from poor circulation, traumatic injury, diabetes, poor nutrition and other causes. When the body is healing from injury, nutrition needs increase. There are 4 nutrition needs that are important to fueling the body during healing: calories, protein, fluids and micronutrients.

1. Calories: calories are gained from food and drink to provide energy for the body to work and maintain health. It is important to eat more calories from foods with many nutrients for the best wound healing!
2. Protein: protein is a nutrient that is important in building, maintaining and repairing body tissues.
3. Fluids: water is needed to circulate nutrients and oxygen in the blood stream. When a wound is present, water carries nutrients that are necessary for healing the injury.
4. Micronutrients: often referred to as vitamins and minerals, are vital to healthy development, disease prevention, and wellbeing. With the exception of vitamin D, micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be derived from the diet.
   • Vitamin A: helps with maintenance of skin health. Find vitamin A in carrots, cheese, milk, sweet potato and green leafy vegetables.
   • Vitamin C: helps with the building of connective tissue and collagen productions. Find vitamin C in broccoli, bell pepper, cauliflower and salsa.
   • Zinc: helps with cell growth and wound healing. Find zinc in eggs, meats, peanuts, whole grain and liver.

Sometimes it can be hard to fill a diet with the necessary nutrients listed above through foods alone, if you are having trouble meeting the nutrients required to help aid wound healing, try Juven®. Juven® is a nutritional supplement for wound healing. It contains essential amino acids, collagen and micronutrients that can help heal open wounds. Amino acids support gut health, immune function and blood flow while collagen helps with new tissue growth. Taken twice a day, Juven® is an easy way to get nutrients in your body to heal wounds! It is safe for people with diabetes as it does not contain a lot of carbs and sugar. Juven® is available for purchase at the Island Bistro for $1.95 each or $58.59 for a case of 30.

Mixed Berry Smoothie with Juven® Recipe

Chili for Wound Healing Recipe