If you have peripheral artery disease or peripheral neuropathy, a loss of sensation in your lower extremities, or diabetes, you are at risk for developing gangrene. The term critical limb ischemia is used when gangrene occurs due to peripheral arterial disease or artery blockages in the limbs. The best foods to eat with gangrene will be those that control blood glucose and provide protein and micronutrients.
Gangrene
Gangrene is a necrosis of tissue caused by poor blood supply, called dry gangrene or infection, known as wet gangrene. The most serious gangrene, gas gangrene, a wet gangrene, is caused by a bacterium, Clostridium perfringens which invades a wound. Critical limb ischemia or dry gangrene is influenced by poor blood glucose control, arterial blockages, loss of sensation which can lead to ulceration and infection.
Blood Glucose
If your sugars are not well controlled, it is important that you follow the prescribed diet that your physician recommends. Uncontrolled blood sugar is a risk factor for arterial occlusive disease. High blood glucose can also cause a systemic inflammatory response. Most likely, your physician will prescribe a diabetic diet. This diet will support your blood glucose in a healthy way. It will consist of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nonfat dairy products, beans and lean meats.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the immune system's response to trauma or infection. Gangrene causes inflammation. The inflammatory response is a complex cascade of responses that ultimately result in swelling, redness and warmth in the tissues. Gangrene can be the result of chronic inflammation. In chronic inflammation, the body destroys the source of the inflammation but may leave damage to good tissue. Good tissue repair relies on the nutrients that are delivered through the blood. Eating foods that consists of the protein arginine which comes from poultry, fish, eggs and cereals can help reduce the inflammatory response, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Also including foods that are high in vitamins C, E, and B-6, such as leafy green vegetables, oranges, salmon, fortified cereals, potatoes and nuts can reduce the inflammatory response.
Zinc
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, getting adequate zinc in your diet is essential for maintaining a strong immune system and may assist in healing. People who are deficient in zinc were susceptible to a variety of infections. Foods high in zinc include, oysters, crab, beef, pork, the dark meat of chicken, fruit yogurt, cheddar cheese, milk, almonds, peanuts and chickpeas. Zinc may help in your recovery from gangrene.
References
- Johns Hopkins POC-IT Center; Gangrene and Critical Limb Ischemia; Lee J. Sanders; February 2011
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Meal Plans and a Healthy Diet
- Linus Pauling Institute; Nutrition and Inflammation. Victoria Drake; August 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute; Zinc; Jane Higdon; December 2003
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