In order for wounds to heal, they need precious nutrients to help the process. Healing is a complex process that calls for collagen production, antioxidants to aid in combating infections, protein to help build scar tissue, among other things. It would be impossible without the work of vitamins A, C, E and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps to heal wounds by promoting closure of the injury, as well as collagen cross-linking. This is significant because collagen is a protein that works to form scar tissues, ligaments and tendons, as well as blood vessels and skin. Vitamin A also stimulates the health of scar tissues. Sources of vitamin A through diet include liver, milk, egg yolks and carrots.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C resupplies the body with replacement tissues after tissues have been injured. It also works to produce collagen which blankets the wound and combats alongside white blood cells in order to fight off infections. Other significant tasks vitamin C performs are producing lymphocytes -- white blood cells that help create antibodies -- and possibly activating neutrophils, which The Vitamin and Nutrition Center Website describes are "the most prevalent white blood cells that defend you against infections." Citrus fruits like grapefruits and oranges have rich amounts of vitamin C.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E promotes the healing of wounds by increasing collagen production. It also promotes tensile -- also called UTS, TS or ultimate tensile strength, which, when it comes to wounds, is the elasticity strength of your tissues. Increased tensile strength means your wound can handle more stress with less injury. Vitamin E is found in foods like almonds, sunflower oil and peanut butter.
Recommendations
For medical advice on how much of each vitamin to take to help with wounds, contact your doctor. The University of Maryland Medical Center gives recommendations of dosages for vitamins A, C and E to further assist in healing injuries. To promote healthy scar tissue, 15,000 IU -- international units -- a day of vitamin A are advised. 1,000 mg daily of vitamin C is recommended in order to create more collagen for the body. Vitamin E can be taken from 400 to 800 IUs a day. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that you should lower or stop the recommended dosages once the wound is healed.
Vitamin K
Unlike vitamins A, C and E, vitamin K isn't actually considered an essential vitamin; however, without it, your injuries and wounds would never scab up. Vitamin K is essential for coagulation or clotting of the blood, and may reduce bleeding of the injury. Vitamin K also assists in the healing of tissues and the fading of bruises. Spinach and other leafy greens, as well as soybeans all contain vitamin K.
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