Protein: A key nutrient to wound healing

Protein is made from amino acids, which can be made by the body or consumed through food

If a patient is not consuming a well-balanced diet, it is likely that they will not have enough dietary protein to meet the body’s physiological needs for wound healing.

The average healthy adult requires approximately 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight per day. For example, a patient weighing 150 pounds requires about 55g (or 8oz) of protein each day. Table 1 outlines the protein content of the various food groups.

Table 1

Approximate Protein Content of the Food Groups

*

Beans and legumes have the highest protein conten

Typically, a healthy person consumes the required amount of protein by eating a varied diet. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) can easily be met by consuming the equivalent of ¾ cup of cereal with 1 cup of milk for breakfast, 3 oz of chicken in a sandwich at lunch, and 3 ounces of lean beef with 1 cup of cooked vegetables and 1/2 cup of brown rice for dinner. However, for many chronically ill adults and the elderly,