Evaluation of a Liquid Protein Supplement with Added Arginine and Its' Correlation with Expedited Wound Healing in Recalcitrant Wounds

Nutritional supplements are used to boost nutritional stability.  Unfortunately, many of them are provided in large volume bases or have a milk-like taste.  Many, additionally, are poor tasting or leave a terrible aftertaste.  Refusal rates can be high and costly for the facility with little positive impact on nutrition.  This study examines a new grape flavored supplement with argenine and its' effects on wound healing as well as boosted pre-albumin levels over a period of 4 weeks.  Seven residents were chosen and all had a history of poor absorption and nutrition as well as pressure ulcers, vascular wounds, burns, or non-healing incisions whcih had failed to progress over a period of 4 weeks or more.  All had been on some type of protein supplement prior to switching to this supplement which they had refused and all had weight loss.  Each had pre-albumin levels drawn prior to study initiation and measurements of all wounds were taken.  Each client was started on the liquid supplement of one ounce twice a day.  Each serving contained 16gm of protein and 2.5 gm of arginine and a sugar-free grape flavored base.  New pre-albumin levels were drawn in one month and all were followed weekly for wound improvement or decline.  Weights were monitored weekly for gain or loss and tolerance and acceptance of the new supplement was examined.  At the end of the study, 100% of the study group had tolerated and accepted the new supplement without waste.  All showed signs of expedient wound healing and 86% of the group remained weight stable or showed needed weight gain.  Additonally, 86% of the group improved visceral protein stores and 14% remained stable.  It is important to note that this product did NOT contain tryptophan which has beeen argued in the nutritional community as being a necessary component in supplementation.  A positive outcome was achieved with no waste thus leading to cost savings.  (Wound measurements, pre-albumin levels, weights, and pictorials will be rendered for the poster)