The growing emphasis on perioperative nutrition has underscored its critical role in improving surgical outcomes. Major surgeries, such as those for cancer or orthopedic conditions, impose increased metabolic demands and carry risks of delayed healing and surgical site infections. By 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65, and nearly 60% of adults have at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CDC, 2022). Addressing nutritional needs in these populations is vital for reducing complications and promoting recovery.

Importance of Perioperative Nutrition

Malnutrition as a Risk Factor: Malnutrition significantly increases morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS), and healthcare costs (Weimann et al., 2021). Nutritional screening is recommended for all patients undergoing major surgery.

Nutritional Screening Tools:

• Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST): Assesses BMI, weight loss, and acute disease effects to identify malnutrition risk.

• Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST): Focuses on unintentional weight loss and reduced dietary intake, effective in hospital settings.

• Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002): Includes BMI, weight loss, reduced intake, and disease severity.

• Subjective Global Assessment (SGA): Evaluates nutritional status based on history and physical examination.

• Albumin Levels: Though not a sole indicator, hypoalbuminemia highlights surgical risk.

Recommendations for Perioperative Supplementation

Preoperative Supplementation: Nutritional support should begin 7–14 days prior to surgery for patients at high nutritional risk, reducing complications and surgical-site infections. Immune-modulating formulas with arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and ribonucleotides decrease postoperative infections and LOS (Weimann et al., 2021; Wischmeyer et al., 2022).

Postoperative Supplementation: Early enteral nutrition within 24–48 hours after surgery improves outcomes and reduces infection rates. Key nutrients, including protein, arginine, and glutamine, are critical for sustaining recovery (Wischmeyer et al., 2022).

Evidence-Based Nutrients:

• Protein: Supports wound healing, collagen synthesis, and immune function.

• Arginine: Enhances nitric oxide production, immune response, and tissue repair.

• Glutamine: Maintains gut integrity and reduces catabolic stress.

• Zinc: Facilitates epithelialization, enzyme activity, and immune defense.

• Vitamins (C, D, and A):

  • Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis and reduces oxidative stress.

  • Vitamin D supports bone health, immune regulation, and recovery.

  • Vitamin A aids in epithelial tissue repair and immune function.

Clinical Benefits in Perioperative Care

• Reduction in Postoperative Complications: Immune-modulating nutrition decreases infection rates and LOS (Weimann et al., 2021).

• Faster Recovery: Nutritional supplementation accelerates wound healing and tissue repair (Knackstedt et al., 2020).

• Support for High-Risk Patients: Particularly effective for patients with sarcopenic obesity, diabetes, or other comorbidities (Wischmeyer et al., 2022).

Application in Clinical Practice

Preoperative: Initiate supplementation 7–14 days before surgery for malnourished patients to optimize recovery.

Postoperative: Continue supplementation to meet metabolic demands and sustain healing.

Dosage Guidelines: Align supplementation protocols with clinical guidelines for optimal results.

Healing Support Supplement: A Targeted Solution

The Healing Support Supplement is a comprehensive option for addressing perioperative nutritional needs. Its evidence-based formulation includes:

• Hydrolyzed Collagen (15 g per serving): Supports wound healing and collagen synthesis essential for tissue repair.

• L-Arginine (5,000 mg): Enhances nitric oxide production, improving blood flow and immune function.

• L-Glutamine (500 mg): Maintains gut integrity and reduces catabolic stress. Supports Immune Function.

• Zinc Picolinate (25 mg): Facilitates epithelialization and tissue regeneration.

• Vitamin C (1,000 mg): Promotes collagen synthesis and reduces oxidative stress.

• Vitamin A Palmitate: Essential for immune support and epithelial repair.

• Vitamin D3 (5,000 IU): Supports bone health and immune function.

• Vitamin E (270 mg): Provides antioxidant protection, reducing inflammation during recovery.

• Convenient and Effective Dosing: Single-product, single-day dosing simplifies patient adherence.

• Comprehensive Nutritional Support: Tailored to meet the demands of surgical recovery and overall health.

Conclusion

Optimizing perioperative nutrition is essential for improving surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. The Healing Support Supplement offers an evidence-based, convenient solution for healthcare providers to integrate into their perioperative care protocols.

Learn more about the Healing Support Supplement or connect your patients to the product here.

For questions or to connect, email us at info@conditiondirectedhealth.com.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Chronic disease in America. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease

Knackstedt, R., Oliver, J., & Gatherwright, J. (2020). Evidence-based perioperative nutrition recommendations: Optimizing results and minimizing risks. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 146(2), 423–430. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000007004

Weimann, A., Braga, M., Carli, F., et al. (2021). ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition in surgery. Clinical Nutrition, 40(2), 4745–4761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.001

Wischmeyer, P. E., Carli, F., Evans, D. C., et al. (2022). Perioperative nutrition: Current recommendations and unanswered questions. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 46(2), 182–209. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.2245