Can Specific Foods Help Heal Cuts and Scars?

While there isn’t a single superfood which can heal your cuts and scars more quickly, diet does have a key role to play in the process of healing. For wounds and injuries to repair with as little scarring as possible, you need to include specific nutrients in your diet. Some of the most important nutrients you need include vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, iron, zinc and protein, all of which are known to rebuild tissues and promote wound healing. Here are some of the top foods to include in your diet when it comes to healing skin.

Protein

Protein is vital to rebuild damaged collagen, blood vessels and skin. If you have too little protein in your diet you won’t be able to heal properly, and if you have a wound that isn’t healing well you might need to include more protein in your diet. Poultry, lean meat, soy beans, beans and fish should be included regularly in the diet together with eggs. Low fat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and milk, may be beneficial in reducing the appearance of scars as they contain CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) which promotes healing.

Vitamin C

The process of healing starts on a foundation of collagen. Once a grid of collagen has been formed, the new skin starts to grow inwards from the cut edges, using collagen as its support until it can finally meet in the middle. Protein is essential to the production of collagen, however it also relies on vitamin C. Orange and lemon juices are rich sources of vitamin C, as are strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and spinach.

Vitamin A

When there is a lack of Vitamin A, the process of healing is hindered since vitamin A boosts the body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation is vital at the start of the healing process since it removes harmful bacteria and irritations, thus preventing infection. Vitamin A can also strengthen the wound as it stimulates the synthesis of collagen. Whole milk and eggs are good sources of vitamin A as are green leafy vegetables and orange and yellow vegetables.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E has strong antioxidant properties which can fight free radicals in the body, promote healing and improve the appearance of blemishes and scars. Vitamin E is found in sunflower seeds, avocados, egg yolks and wheat germ.

Iron And Zinc

The body is unable to make collagen and protein without zinc and iron is necessary to deliver oxygen to the wound. A common cause of infection is a lack of oxygen and therefore if either zinc or iron is in short supply in the body tissues may not be able to repair and rebuild properly. Wholegrains, fortified breads and cereals are good sources of iron and zinc.

A scar will require identical nutritional support to a wound since it develops due to the process of healing. By eating a nutritionally balanced diet during the healing process and beyond, your scar will strengthen gradually with time, improving its appearance and reducing the blemish.

Read more about scar treatment and removal: https://amairaskincare.com.au/blogs/news/scar-treatment-and-removal/