NY Burn Injury Recovery – Nutrition

Burn injury victims have special dietary needs as their bodies require extra nutrients in order to rebuild the damaged tissues and fight infections. In addition, many burn injury victims lose a significant amount of weight during the initial stages of treatment. As a result, they require a diet high in protein and calories in order to return to normal weight and rebuild the damaged tissues. Besides following a proper diet regimen, many New York burn injury victims take vitamins and herbal supplements to further strengthen their bodies and speed up recovery. However, they should consult with their doctors prior to taking any supplements as these substances might interfere with prescription medications.

High Protein Diet

Burn injury victims should consume a diet rich in protein. Providing the body with additional protein is important because protein plays a major role in rebuilding the muscle and skin tissues. Some of the best sources of quality protein include lean meats, seafood, beans and dairy. Typically, burn injury NY patients are encouraged to consume one or two extra servings of protein per day. For individuals who cannot obtain adequate amount of protein through foods, doctors sometimes recommend fortified food replacement drinks, such as Boost or Ensure.

Higher Calorie Intake

Some health care professionals recommend that burn injury victims eat a diet high in both protein and calories. This is especially important for burn injury patients who have lost a large amount of weigh due to their injuries. They require increased amounts of all nutrients, including carbohydrates and fats, in order to restore proper body functions and return to normal weight. Once these goals have been accomplished, New York burn injury victims can return to their regular dietary habits, as long as they receive well-balanced, quality nutrition.

Vitamins and Minerals

Most burn injury specialists agree that burn patients require an increased intake of vitamins and minerals. Among the most important vitamins and minerals for burn injury victims are Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc. These substances are thought to lessen the oxidative damage and promote wound healing. Other supplements often recommended for burn patients include Coenzyme Q10 for immunity support, L-glutamine for gastrointestinal health, and probiotic supplements to restore gastrointestinal balance often upset by antibiotics administered to fight wound infections.

Herbal Supplements

Many burn injury victims use herbal supplements to speed up wound healing and treat the side effects of deep burns. Similarly to commencing a vitamin therapy, patients should consult with competent medical professionals prior to beginning an herbal treatment. One of the more popular herbal supplements is aloe vera. This substance is used for skin moisturizing by many third degree burn patients who do not have sweat glands in the burned skin. A popular natural substance used to improve wound healing is propolis. Because this is a bee product, burn victims should test for allergy before applying it to the wounds.

New York City Burn Injuries: Medical and Legal Help

The sponsors of this website, the law firm of Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz, are committed to helping New York burn injury victims obtain appropriate medical care and legal counsel. This portal was designed to explain the causes of burn injuries, types of burns and various treatments, including skin grafts, pressure garments, pain management and rehabilitation. In addition, burn victims and their families can use this website to contact the offices of Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz in order to obtain a thorough case review. The skilled burn victim lawyers can also be reached by phone at (914) 517-5000.