In this issue, Susan Weiner, MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, talks with nutrition and wound care expert Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND, about the role of nutrition in prevention and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Nutrition is a critical component of healing diabetic foot ulcers, particularly as it relates to immune function, malnutrition, glycemic control, and weight loss and weight maintenance. Diabetes educators should include nutrition assessment and intervention as key components of the overall diabetes treatment plan to help patients with diabetic foot ulcers maximize their nutritional status and promote wound healing.
Nutrition is not often the first thing clinicians think of when dealing with diabetic foot ulcers. How important is it, and exactly what role does nutrition play?
Collins: Nutrition does indeed play an important role in the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. A poor diet can result in altered immune function, malnutrition and poor glycemic control, all of which are risk factors for poor healing. Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies can impair collagen synthesis, prolong inflammation, decrease phagocytosis causing dysfunction of B and T cells, and decrease the mechanical strength of the skin. Once a patient has a wound, achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight can help maximize wound healing because obesity can negatively affect glycemic control. Often just losing extra weight can help with glucose control and, in turn, wound healing. Of course, weight loss proves very challenging for most patients. This is where referral to a registered dietitian nutritionist with expertise in diabetes can help … read more