Include targeted nutrition drinks with added arginine, HMB, and Glutamine in addition to your complete, balanced diet

Sometimes even a balanced diet with the right calories may not be enough to help a wound heal. That’s where Juven® comes in. Juven contains a blend of three wound-healing ingredients that go above and beyond basic nutrition to help promote wound healing,1,2 build lean body mass (LBM),3-5 and support immune function.2 

A proper diet is essential for tissue building for all stages of wound healing.2 But sometimes even a balanced diet isn’t enough. That’s why your health care provider may recommend Juven®. Juven is targeted nutrition therapy that helps the body build new tissue by replenishing essential nutrients, including the amino acids arginine and glutamine, and collagen. With 2 servings per day, Juven has been clinically shown to support wound healing.3-6

EAT TO HEAL

If you are not eating well or if you have a poor appetite, try eating five or six small meals each day, instead of three big meals. Smaller meals and snacks help you get the nutrition you need to heal.

FUELING YOUR BODY

Your body needs the right number of calories and amount of protein every day to heal a wound. Think of calories as fuel for your body, just like gasoline is fuel for your car. Without enough fuel, your body—and your car— can’t run properly.

NUTRITION & YOUR SKIN

The skin is the largest organ in the body. It’s about 10% of your body weight! Proper nutrition helps keep your skin healthy, and allows it to complete the job of rebuilding tissue after a wound or other injury.

THE HEALING POWER OF PROTEIN

Protein is important for the wound healing process and for maintaining lean body mass. Good sources of protein include:

What is a pressure injury?

Pressure injuries are areas of the skin that break down when something keeps rubbing or pressing against the skin over a prolonged period of time. They might also be called pressure sores, pressure ulcers, or bedsores.1

Pressure injuries are often grouped by the severity of symptoms1

• Stage I: A red, painful area of the skin appears. The skin may be warm or cool and firm or soft.
  This could be a sign that a pressure injury is forming.
• Stage lI: The skin blisters or becomes an open sore. You may notice that the skin around it is red
  and irritated.
• Stage lII: An open, sunken hole develops. Loss of tissue under the skin. Fat tissue may be visible.
• Stage IV: At this stage, the pressure injury has become so deep that there is exposed muscle,
  bone, and tendons.

The role proper nutrition plays in the healing of pressure injuries

Poor and inadequate nutrition, in addition to prolonged pressure on the skin, can put you at risk and can impair healing. The body needs energy, protein (which includes the conditionally essential amino acids arginine and glutamine), zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E during the stages of wound healing.

Good sources of protein include eggs, chicken, lean beef, fish, and low-fat dairy. If you don’t eat meat, good sources of plant-based protein include legumes, soy foods, nuts, seeds, and nut butters.

Carbohydrates provide energy. Make sure you’re choosing whole-grain options like whole-grain breads and pastas. Fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, are also a good choice. Avoid foods with refined and added sugars.2

Snacks: Extra Nutritional Insurance

Snacking throughout the day is a good way to sneak extra calories and protein into your diet, particularly if you have lost your appetite or feel fatigued.

Tips for Snacking Smart

Think of snacks as small meals. Aim for snacks that are between 150 and 300 calories and provide a mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

The key to snacking is having snacking foods ready that do not require much preparation or effort. To save time: cut up raw vegetables ahead of time so they are ready to eat; keep fruit in a bowl on the table or cut up in the refrigerator; or make a dozen hard-boiled eggs on Sunday for a grab-and-go, high-protein snack during the week. Your snacking goal should be nutrient-dense and enjoyable snacks!

More Easy Snacks for Work, Home, or On the Go:

• One string cheese and whole-grain crackers
• ½ cup nonfat yogurt mixed with fresh fruit and topped with granola
• 1 tablespoon hummus with vegetables and one small pita pocket
• One slice of turkey, one slice of cheese, and one slice of bread, with one piece fresh fruit
• ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese, ½ cup pineapple, and 1 tablespoon almonds
• ½ of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with one piece fresh fruit
• 6 ounces Greek-style yogurt, with ¼ cup granola
• 2 graham crackers, 1 tablespoon hazelnut spread, and one small banana
• ½ cup sorbet and 1 cup berries
• One fiber bar and one piece of fruit
• 20 almonds and one piece of fresh fruit
• One slice whole-grain bread, one slice cheese, tomato, and mustard
• Dried fruits and nuts, such as raisins, dried apricots, dates, and nuts

What Are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are known as the building blocks of protein and are used in every cell of your body. They build the proteins you need to survive. Moreover, many amino acids have a role in building and repairing body tissues, which is critical to wound healing.

The body obtains amino acids from proteins found in food, especially meat, dairy products, and legumes. It is important to eat a healthy diet that provides a variety of amino acids each day while healing.

Biosynthesis

When we consume protein in the diet, the protein in the gastrointestinal tract is broken down into individual amino acids and then put back together again as new protein. This complex biological process is called protein biosynthesis.

How Can Amino Acids Help With Wound Healing?

The human body can synthesize (break down and reconfigure) most amino acids. However, the body cannot synthesize nine of the amino acids—these must come from foods. Plus, when your body is healing or under stress from a disease or chronic condition, the demand for certain amino acids may increase. Studies have looked closely at arginine and glutamine, two amino acids that are known for their role in wound healing. In fact, collagen formation was significantly enhanced in healthy elderly volunteers after two weeks of supplementing their diet with arginine, glutamine, and HMB (a byproduct of the breakdown of the amino acid leucine).

Amino Acid Supplementation

Ask your healthcare team if amino acid supplementation is the right choice for you. If it is, look for arginine, glutamine, and HMB on supplement labels. Powdered drink mixes are a convenient way to fit in a supplement.

Arginine in Wound Healing

Arginine is important to the wound healing process, helping to increase blood flow and oxygen to the wound. This results in increased collagen formation and reduced inflammation.

Glutamine in Wound Healing

Glutamine has many functions, including: stimulating collagen production; regulating nitrogen metabolism; and supporting the immune system.

HMB in Wound Healing

HMB stands for beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate. HMB comes from the amino acid leucine. It helps to reduce inflammation and protect your muscles from damage. HMB works to keep the body’s muscle cell walls strong in order to protect the muscle from stress-related damage. It is difficult to get a large amount of HMB through food, so ask your healthcare provider if HMB supplementation may be right for you.