Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals can be beneficial for many different reasons, including strengthening your immune system. This can help your body heal various wounds and injuries more quickly. Several different vitamins in particular may help you heal after surgery or accidents.
Vitamin C
Your body needs vitamin C to build collagen, which is a major component of scar tissue, skin, tendons and blood vessels. The typical recommended intake of vitamin C, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is 90 mg per day for adult men and 75 mg per day for adult women; in some cases, however, daily intake of up to 1,000 mg per day can be used to help heal wounds. Serious side effects from excess vitamin C intake are unusual since it is water soluble.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A also contributes to the development of scar and other tissues. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements by the National Institutes of Health, adult men ordinarily need about 900 mcg of vitamin A per day, while adult women need about 700 mcg of vitamin A per day. Higher doses may help speed wounds healing but should not be taken by people who have liver disease or are pregnant.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E may also contribute to healing of wounds, particularly burns, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The typical recommended daily intake of vitamin E for both men and women is about 15 mg or 22.4 IU. Higher intake of supplemental vitamin E is safe as long as it does not exceed 1,100 IU.
B Vitamins
The B complex vitamins may also help wounds heal more quickly, and can be taken internally or when applied externally. B vitamins include vitamin B1, or thiamin; vitamin B2, or riboflavin; vitamin B3, or niacin; vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid; vitamin B6, or pyridoxine; vitamin B7, or biotin; vitamin B9, or folic acid; and vitamin B12.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Wounds; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; June 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin C - All Information; David Zieve, MD, MHA et al; December 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin E - All Information; Linda Vorvick, MD; March 2009
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