Diabetic Nutritional Guidelines
Woundcare Table of Contents
How Diabetes Affects Wound Healing
Why Proper Wound Care Is Essential for Diabetic Patients
At the OC Center for Wound Healing & Foot Care, we specialize in treating the complex challenges faced by diabetic patients when it comes to wound healing. Diabetes not only increases the risk of foot wounds and infections—it also slows the body’s natural healing process, often leading to chronic ulcers, infections, and even amputation if left untreated.
๐ฌ The Science Behind Delayed Healing in Diabetics
1. Reduced Microvascular Blood Flow
In healthy individuals, tissue injury triggers capillary dilation and bleeding to help white blood cells and healing factors reach the site. However, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) causes arteriole constriction, which restricts this healing response and blocks delivery of antibiotics and immune cells to the wound site.
๐ [1] Spampinato SF, et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020.
2. Leukocyte Dysfunction (White Blood Cell Impairment)
Excess glucose causes osmotic swelling of white blood cells (a process called glycation), impairing their movement. These enlarged immune cells are unable to migrate out of the vessel walls to kill bacteria and clear necrotic tissue in the wound.
๐ [2] Pezhman L, Tahrani A, Chimen M. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021.
๐ Additional Factors That Hinder Wound Healing in Diabetes
3. Nutritional Deficiencies & Metabolic Dysfunction
Diabetics often suffer from poor nutrition and metabolic imbalance, which weakens the immune system and impairs tissue regeneration.
๐ [3] Okonkwo UA, DiPietro LA. Int J Mol Sci. 2017.
4. Hypoalbuminemia (Low Albumin Levels)
Excess glucose damages capillaries, leading to protein leakage and low albumin levels, which further increases infection risk and delays healing.
๐ [4] Wiedermann CJ. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021.
5. Vitamin Deficiencies (B12 & Thiamine)
Diabetics frequently experience B12 and thiamine (B1) deficiency, which reduces oxygen delivery to tissues and contributes to:
• Peripheral neuropathy (burning pain, numbness)
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Cardiac palpitations๏ปฟ
๐ Intermittent Fasting & Diabetes: A Promising Therapeutic Approach
Emerging studies show that intermittent fasting (IF) may offer significant benefits for diabetic patients, particularly when guided by a healthcare professional.
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting for Diabetics:
• โ Weight loss and reduced insulin needs
๐ [5] Sutton EF et al. Cell Metab. 2018.
• โ Safe with medication adjustments and glucose monitoring
๐ [6] Grajower M et al. Nutrients. 2019.
• โ Improved metabolic function, better oxygen delivery, and reduced insulin resistance
๐ [7] Horne BD et al. Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis. 2013.
๐ฆถ Take Action: Get Expert Diabetic Wound Care in Orange County
If you’re living with diabetes and have a wound that’s slow to heal—or want to reduce your risk of complications—early intervention is key. Dr. Mark Reed and the team at the
OC Center for Wound Healing & Foot Care offer personalized care that addresses the
root causes of poor healing in diabetic patients.
Diabetic Intermittent Fasting 16:8 Protocol
A Safe, Doctor-Guided Approach to Metabolic Health
Intermittent fasting has shown promise in helping manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes, improving insulin sensitivity, weight control, and metabolic function. At OC Center for Wound Healing & Foot Care, we recommend a medically supervised approach to intermittent fasting for all diabetic patients.
โ Step-by-Step Protocol for Diabetic Intermittent Fasting
1. Initial Medical Clearance
Before starting any fasting regimen, it’s essential that diabetic patients:
• ๐ฉบ Consult with a Nutritionist
• ๐งช Complete a metabolic panel, including albumin and HbA1c tests
• ๐ Work with their Diabetologist or Internist to create a customized insulin sliding scale
This ensures the fasting plan is tailored to your glucose trends, medication needs, and nutritional status.
2. Starting the Fasting Schedule
The protocol follows a 16:8 fasting window:
• ๐ Stop eating at 8:00 PM
• ๐ฝ๏ธ Resume eating at 12:00 PM (noon) the next day
• ๐๏ธ If you sleep earlier, simply adjust the 16-hour fast to fit your schedule
This allows the body time to stabilize insulin levels and improve glucose metabolism during the fasting phase.
3. Nighttime Glucose Adjustments
To promote safe morning glucose levels:
• Aim to wake up with a glucose reading near 130 mg/dL
• If your fasting glucose is under 100 mg/dL, have:
• ๐ฅ 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or
• ๐ฅ 4 oz. of milk before bed
• Adjust your nighttime insulin dose accordingly in collaboration with your provider
4. Morning Routine During Fasting
Even while fasting, hydration is essential:
• ๐ง Drink at least one bottle of water upon waking
• Continue hydrating every two hours throughout the morning
• โ Coffee is encouraged to help stimulate metabolism
• ๐ Take 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to support digestion and metabolic regulation
โ According to clinical research, this hydration routine helps improve diabetic control and cardiovascular function.
๐ [1] Horne BD et al. Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis. 2013; 23:1050–1057.
5. Breaking the Fast at Noon
When hunger begins around noon, the first meal should include:
• ๐ Lean protein first (chicken, eggs, tofu, fish, etc.)
• ๐ฅ Followed by vegetables or a fresh salad
This order of food consumption helps minimize post-meal glucose spikes and supports continued fat-burning and insulin sensitivity.
๐ Is Diabetic Intermittent Fasting Right for You?
This protocol has been shown to:
โ๏ธ Improve insulin response
โ๏ธ Reduce inflammation
โ๏ธ Support metabolic balance
โ๏ธ Decrease glucose variability
With proper supervision, intermittent fasting can be safe and effective for many diabetic patients. Dr. Mark Reed and our team can help you integrate this strategy into your diabetic care plan, especially if you’re also managing chronic wounds or neuropathy.
DIABETIC NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Essential Nutritional & Metabolic Supplements for Diabetic Patients
Supporting Wound Healing & Nerve Function
Diabetes can lead to nutritional deficiencies that negatively impact wound healing, nerve function, and overall metabolic health. Research has shown that targeted supplementation can help reverse deficiencies and support neuropathy management in diabetic patients.
At OC Center for Wound Healing & Foot Care, we recommend the following science-backed supplements under the supervision of your Diabetologist or Internist to ensure safety and avoid medication interactions.
๐ Recommended Brands: Reliable and cost-effective options include Costco Kirkland, Centrum, and Amazon brands.
โ Diabetic Supplement Prescription
These supplements have been found to enhance nerve function, promote circulation, and aid in wound healing:
๐ฆต For Circulation & Blood Flow
โ๏ธ L-Arginine – 3 grams (3 x 1-gram tablets) Twice-a-day
๐ Supports nitric oxide production, improving blood flow to extremities
๐ [Available on Amazon]
๐ฅ For Overall Metabolic Health & Wound Healing
โ๏ธ Multivitamin Complex – Twice-a-day
๐ Addresses general nutrient deficiencies common in diabetes
๐ [Available at Costco]
โ๏ธ B100 Complex – Twice-a-day
๐ Supports nerve function and energy metabolism
๐ [Available at Costco]
โ๏ธ Vitamin D3 (2000 I.U.) – Once-a-day
๐ Essential for immune function and bone health
๐ [Available at Costco]
โ๏ธ CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) – 300 mg – Once-a-day
๐ Boosts cellular energy and supports heart health
๐ [Available at Costco]
๐ฅ For Inflammation & Nerve Protection
โ๏ธ Alpha Lipoic Acid – 600 mg – Once-a-day
๐ Proven to reduce diabetic neuropathy symptoms
๐ [Available at Costco]
โ๏ธ Turmeric – 1000 mg – Once-a-day
๐ Powerful anti-inflammatory that supports joint and nerve health
๐ [Available at Costco]
โ๏ธ Vitamin B12 (Sublingual) – 1000 mcg – Once-a-day
๐ Vital for nerve regeneration and preventing neuropathy
๐ [Available at Costco]
๐ Backed by Scientific Research
Clinical studies have shown that these supplements effectively treat diabetic neuropathy and improve circulation:
๐ Rondón LJ, et.al. “L-Arginine supplementation prevents allodynia and hyperalgesia in painful diabetic neuropathic rats by normalizing plasma nitric oxide concentration and increasing plasma agmatine concentration.” Eur J Nutr. 2018 Oct;57(7):714-528-3668.
๐ Why Supplementation is Important for Diabetics
โ Supports nerve function and reduces neuropathy pain
โ Enhances wound healing by improving circulation and immune response
โ Helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body
โ Provides essential vitamins often depleted in diabetes
๐น Note: Always consult with your doctor before starting a new supplement routine to ensure compatibility with medications.
๐ Need Personalized Guidance?
If you’re managing diabetic foot ulcers, neuropathy, or chronic wounds, Dr. Mark Reed and our expert team can provide customized care plans that integrate nutrition, supplements, and advanced wound healing treatments.
DISCLAIMER: MATERIAL ON THIS SITE IS BEING PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATION PURPOSES AND IS NOT MEANT TO REPLACE THE DIAGNOSIS OR CARE PROVIDED BY YOUR OWN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease or prescribing any medication. Visit a health care professional to proceed with any treatment for a health problem.