Provide materials for healing. Proteins, made up of amino acids, are necessary for all phases of wound healing, including angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and scar remodeling. Proteins also support the immune system, which will prevent infection. One recent study found that protein depletion before surgery is a risk factor in wound infection. Fats and carbohydrates are also needed to supply the extra energy used in healing and to prevent proteins from being used for energy.
Water is necessary to replace losses through vomiting, bleeding, discharge, and fever.
Vitamins and minerals also play key roles in the healing process, as will be discussed below. The Danger of Infection Infection of a wound with a large number of bacteria, a process known as colonization, will slow the healing process. All wounds, however, contain some bacteria. This is called contamination and does not affect the healing process. The difference between contamination and colonization is the concentration of bacteria.