Nutrition

By Holly Hovan MSN, APRN, CWOCN-AP

A common misconception by nurses is sometimes predicting nutritional status based on a resident's weight. Weight is not always a good predictor of nutritional status. Nutritional status is determined by many factors and by looking at the big picture.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer, RDN, CD, LD, FAND

The World Union Wound Healing Society (WUWHS) held their 2016 meeting in historic Florence, Italy in September. The initial meeting of the WUWHS was held in Australia in 2000 and is convened every four years. I have had the unique opportunity to present in Paris, Toronto, Yokohama and this year in Florence on the topic of nutrition and wound healing. 4,226 clinicians attended the conference including 525 from the US. The convention center was a modern venue surrounded by the ancient walls of the Roman fortress.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) should be an integral part of your pressure Injury (ulcer) management plan. Malnutrition/undernutrition is a risk factor for pressure injury formation and prolongs the healing process. Since nutrition is one component of both the treatment and prevention plan (along with dressings, treatments and support surfaces), having a written MNT protocol assists the interdisciplinary team in achieving a positive outcome for the individual/patient. The collaborative, interdisciplinary approach should include the individual and their family/caregiver.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

Clinicians continue to question if oral or tube feedings formulated with arginine hasten wound healing time versus standard high calorie, high protein supplements. There is an increase in the number of studies that examine the role of arginine in combination with other nutrients to facilitate pressure injury healing. Many of the studies were conducted in Europe or Australia using products that are not always marketed in the United States. However, very similar products are available.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

Several nutrients, such as arginine, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C, play a key role in wound healing and preserving tissue viability. However, while current research doesn’t confirm consuming mega doses of any of these minerals or vitamins, there are studies supporting combining adequate amounts of these nutrients in an oral nutritional supplement to facilitate wound healing.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

Recently, I attended a webinar that focused on dietary protein and preserving lean muscle mass. There is a wealth of research on this topic, in particular, as it relates to older adults and protecting muscle health during inactivity. Dr. Robert Demling noted the effect of lean body mass (LBM) loss on wound healing. Healing a wound requires increased calories to prevent the body from breaking down protein (LBM) for energy, thus depleting protein stores required for protein synthesis and healing. Lean body mass is metabolically active, transports protein throughout the body and is essential for survival as it contains all of the skeletal and smooth muscles and immune cells. Healthy adults lose between 3-8% of LBM per decade and after age 70 muscle loss increases to 15% per decade. This loss of LBM or sarcopenia is an age-related, insidious loss of lean muscle mass accelerated by physical inactivity and poor nutrition.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annually designates March as National Nutrition Month and the theme this year is Savor the Flavor of Eating Right. My blog usually focuses on what we as caregivers can do to improve the nutrition of our clients/patients with wounds. However, how often do you as a busy wound care clinician think about your nutrition or what you are eating or probably not eating?

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

February is American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world on the 14th. So what is the connection between protecting your heart, enjoying candy and flowers with those you love on Valentine’s Day, and wound care? Many of your clients with wounds also have some type of heart disease or have elevated lipid levels. These clients need nutritional strategies for wound healing that also protects their hearts.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

Congratulations to Bruce Ruben, MD, for his #1 WoundSource blog for 2015; Wound Healing: Reasons Wounds Will Not Heal. I certainly concur with Dr. Ruben that inadequate nutrition is an often-overlooked reason for delayed wound healing.

By Mary Ellen Posthauer RDN, CD, LD, FAND

Last month I discussed the value of consuming a "balanced diet" versus taking mega doses of vitamins for wound healing. This month the focus is on minerals. Minerals are inorganic compounds that comprise 4% of body weight but are essential to metabolic function, tissue health and fluid balance.