An oral supplement that contains arginine, zinc and antioxidants can help heal mild to severe pressure ulcers in malnourished patients, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers conducted a randomized, blinded trial in long-term care and home care settings with 200 adult malnourished patients who had varying degrees of pressure ulcers. The patients who received the oral supplement had a greater reduction in pressure ulcer area than patients who had the control formula, researchers found.
With these findings, the researchers concluded that nutritional intervention should become an integral part of pressure ulcer care.