Protein Supplements & Burns

Skin damage caused by heat, chemicals, sunlight, radiation or electricity is referred to as a burn. Burns can damage tissues below the skin as well, and, because both the tissues and your skin are protein-dense, healing from burns requires sufficient dietary protein to repair the damage. Protein supplements are one option for consuming enough protein; however, consult your health care provider for advice on including nutritional supplements in your recovery diet.

Burns

Burns are classified by degree. First-degree burns are the mildest and affect only the topmost layer of your skin. Second-degree burns reach the second layer of your skin, causing not only the pain and redness seen in first-degree burns but also blistering of your skin. Although third-degree burns are not painful, they destroy nerve cells within the burned tissue, and the burn can extend to bones and soft tissues beneath your skin. These burned tissues can be pale or charred. Fourth-degree burns, the most serious, result in stiff, charged regions that affect your skin and underlying tissue down to your bone. As you heal from a burn, you require dietary protein above and beyond your normal protein needs.

Protein Supplements

Protein supplements commonly contain high-quality protein from milk, eggs or soy. They can also provide you with essential fatty acids, sugars, vitamins and minerals. Available as powders, bars or pre-manufactured shakes, protein supplements contribute to your diet all the essential amino acids, or protein building blocks, your body is unable to make. When they contain ingredients in addition to protein, they can serve as meal replacements, a feature that might be important if your energy or mobility due to your burn injury limits the number of whole-food meals you can prepare. The amount of protein you need in your recovery diet can depend on the severity of your burn.

Recovery Nutrition

Your burn recovery nutrition requires protein to rebuild damaged tissue and maintain your immune system as well as calories to fuel the process of tissue repair. Essential fatty acids help reduce inflammation and promote the synthesis of healthy cell membranes. You also need vitamins and minerals to support these processes. For optimal recovery from your burn, include between 1.5 and 2 grams of high-quality protein for each kilogram you weigh, in addition to 7 or 8 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of fat per kilogram. Protein supplements can supply the amino acids you need and might also supply other nutrients to help you heal.

Considerations

Protein shakes or smoothies you prepare yourself from protein powder supplements allow you to tailor the ingredients to best meet your burn recovery needs. For example, you can blend together protein powder, milk or yogurt, peanut butter and fruits enriched in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This combination delivers protein, calories, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals to your recovery diet.