Nutritional Interventions in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing
Summary
Diabetic foot ulcers represent a serious complication of diabetes, often complicated by poor circulation, infection and chronic inflammation. Nutritional status profoundly influences each phase of wound repair, from inflammation and proliferation to remodelling. Proteins and amino acids support collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration, while vitamins (notably vitamins D and C) and trace elements (such as zinc, magnesium and selenium) act as cofactors in immune modulation, antioxidant defence and angiogenesis. Deficiencies in these nutrients are associated with delayed wound closure, increased risk of infection and prolonged hospital stays. Conversely, targeted supplementation—together with assessment tools to identify malnutrition risk—has been shown to accelerate ulcer healing, reduce inflammatory biomarkers and improve clinical outcomes. Emerging approaches integrate personalised nutrition therapy, combining dietary counselling with specific nutrient-dense formulas to optimise metabolic control and tissue repair in a cost-effective, globally adaptable manner.
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Nutritional Interventions in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nutritional interventions in diabetic foot ulcer healing across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
GLIM criteria: A standard for diagnosing malnutrition based on phenotypic and aetiologic factors.
25-hydroxyvitamin D: The principal circulating form of vitamin D used to assess serum vitamin D status.
Micronutrient: Essential vitamins and minerals required in small quantities for normal physiological functions.
Nutrition education: Structured guidance provided to patients to improve dietary habits and nutrient intake.
Re-epithelialisation: The process by which new epithelial cells migrate to restore the integrity of the skin surface.
References
- Risk factors for malnutrition in patients with diabetic foot ulcer and its association with prolonged length of hospitalization. Nutrition & Diabetes (2024).
- The role of vitamin D in diabetic foot ulcer; an umbrella review of meta-analyses. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
- Nutritional Supplementation Concurrent with Nutrition Education Accelerates the Wound Healing Process in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Biomedicines (2020).
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