ARTICLE CRITIQUE: NUTRITION AND HEALING

Hughes, S. (2003). Nutrition and healing. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 17(4), 22-26.

In this article, Sara-Jane Hughes dietitian, discuses the importance of nutrition for wound healing. Hughes is a Senior Dietitian at the Royal Hospitals Trust in Belfast. Specifically, Hughes discusses several outcomes (e.g., decreased risk of infection, speedier healing, cost savings) associated with optimal nutritional intake.

This article has more strengths than weaknesses It's strengths include a comprehensive review of the literature on the topic and sound, clear writing skills. All of the literature cited is from well-respected peer-reviewed journals. The conclusions that are formulated on the basis of the reviewed literature are grounded in the literature itself and do not jump from the existing research into wild and unsupported speculation. Further, the article also provides clear criteria for when a wound victim should be referred to a dietitian.

The primary weakness with the article is that Hughes (2003) attempts to cover several facets of nutrition with the result that each facet is given rather short shrift. For example, the article discusses a large variety of vitamins and minerals needed and why they are needed as it relates to wound healing. However, the coverage is basically only a few sentences while each is a substantial topic that has a great deal of nutritional and healing literature ass

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temic protein pool, affecting all organs of the body as a result of muscle loss eg decreased respiratory rate, reducing oxygen saturation of the blood, and decreased cardiac output limiting tissue perfusion. Protein sources: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, nuts and pulses. Vitamins and minerals with a special role in wound healing Vitamin C Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) deficiency results in reduced collagen synthesis and deposition and markedly retarded gain in tensile strength. This deficiency may also result in capillary fragility, compromised inflammatory response and resistance to infection. Vitamin C also has antioxidant properties, defending against damaging free radicals generated during the inflammatory response, sepsis or stress. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is poorly stored in the body; hence a daily intake is required. It has been shown that the elderly tend to hav
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Approximate Word count = 2700
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)