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Protein’s Role in Healing Wounds: A Simple Guide for Patients and Caregivers

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Protein’s Role in Healing Wounds: A Simple Guide for Patients and Caregivers

By: Irina Vella, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, WCC

Wound healing is the body’s way of repairing itself, and it happens in different stages, each needing specific nutrients to help the process. One of the most important nutrients for wound healing is protein. It helps repair damaged tissue, build new cells, and strengthen the area as it heals.

Research shows that getting enough protein can make wounds heal faster and reduce their size1. Protein supplements can also help prevent new wounds, especially in people who are at risk due to limited mobility or poor nutrition1.

How Protein Helps Heal Wounds

  1. Stopping Bleeding (Hemostasis): In the first stage of healing, proteins like fibrinogen form a mesh to stop bleeding and stabilize the wound2.
  2. Fighting Infections (Inflammation): Proteins help bring immune cells to the wound to clean it and fight off infections3. Proteins also help regulate the immune response and prevent excessive inflammation4.
  3. Building New Tissue (Proliferation): Proteins like collagen act as the building blocks for new tissue, while others support the growth of blood vessels to bring oxygen and nutrients to the wound5, 6.
  4. Strengthening the Tissue (Remodeling): In the final stage, proteins reorganize the collagen to make the new tissue strong and durable7.

What You Can Do

If you or a loved one has a wound, eating more protein-rich foods like eggs, chicken, fish, beans, and dairy can help. For those who struggle to get enough protein through their diet, supplements may be an option.

Always talk to a healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or adding supplements, as improper adjustments can lead to complications with existing medical conditions such congestive heart failure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.

By working with medical professionals to create an individualized nutrition plan with high-quality protein, patients and caregivers can take an active role in supporting the wound healing process and improving overall health.

References

  1. Munoz N, Posthauer ME, Cereda E, Schols JMGA, Haesler E. The Role of Nutrition for Pressure Injury Prevention and Healing. Advances in Skin & Wound Care. 2020;33(3):123-136. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.asw.0000653144.90739.ad
  2. Kearney KJ, Ariëns RAS, Macrae FL. The Role of Fibrin(ogen) in Wound Healing and Infection Control. Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. 2021;48(02):174-187. doi: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1732467
  3. Hinrichs BH, Matthews J, Siuda D, et al. Serum Amyloid A1 Is an Epithelial Prorestitutive Factor. American Journal of Pathology. 2018;188(4):937-949. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.12.013
  4. Danese S, Vetrano S, Zhang L, Poplis VA, Castellino FJ. The protein C pathway in tissue inflammation and injury: pathogenic role and therapeutic implications. Blood. 2010;115(6):1121-1130. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2009-09-201616
  5. Sato K, Asai TT, Jimi S. Collagen-Derived Di-Peptide, Prolylhydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp): A New Low Molecular Weight Growth-Initiating Factor for Specific Fibroblasts Associated With Wound Healing. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 2020;8. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.548975
  6. Wang X, Yu Z, Zhou S, Shen S, Chen W. The Effect of a Compound Protein on Wound Healing and Nutritional Status. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022;2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4231516
  7. Chu AS, Delmore B, Chiu ES. High-Quality Dietary Protein: The Key to Healthy Granulation Tissue. Advances in skin & wound care. 2024;37(10):520-527. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/ASW.0000000000000210