Minor wounds include such things as cuts and scrapes; major wounds include incisions for surgery as well as accidentally incurred damage, such as a broken bone or severe burn. The National Institutes of Health website, MedlinePlus, says all wounds require some attention to help the healing process. However, besides basic steps such as keeping the wound clean and bandaged, it may also help to supplement the normal diet with extra doses of certain vitamins.
Vitamin C
As described by MedlinePlus, vitamin C is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin. The role of antioxidants is to protect the body against damage done by free radicals, which may form as part of a healthy person's metabolism. If you're healing from an infection, a wound or a burn, you may benefit from taking vitamin C supplements. If you don't want to take supplements, vitamin C may also be found in many foods and drinks, including citrus juices, fortified cereals, tomatoes and broccoli.
Vitamin A
The fat-soluble vitamin A is another vitamin that may promote the healing process. According to the Cleveland Clinic's "Nutrition Guidelines to Improve Wound Healing," extra vitamin A may be needed as the body undergoes the process of healing itself after surgery, infection or other kinds of damage. The Cleveland Clinic recommends including at least one serving of vitamin A-containing foods daily. Choices include dark green vegetables such as spinach; orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes or cantaloupe; and fortified beverages, such as juice or milk.
B-Complex Vitamins
B-complex vitamins include thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, biotin, cobalamin, pantothenic acid and pyridoxine. According the University of Maryland Medical Center, these vitamins may help patients who need to heal from damage to the body, such as that of burns or other wounds. Along with their antioxidant properties, B vitamins play an important role in providing energy to the body. When a person is trying to heal from some sort of damage -- whether intentional, such as a surgery, or unintentional, such as a broken bone or a cut -- added energy can be very important. Moreover, B vitamins are important for general good health, and staying as healthy as possible is even more important as the body repairs itself during the healing process. You may choose to get B vitamins from supplements or may include B-rich foods in your diet. These vitamins include fish, chicken, beans and peas. MedlinePlus reminds patients that dark green, leafy vegetables, such as kale, are also good sources of these vitamins. Many cereals are fortified with them.
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