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The first part of this review focused on the essential biological features of human skin, their origins and cellular relationships as a basis for understanding nutritional requirements in health and disease (see Vol 13 (19; Tissue Viabil Suppl): S22-S28).The second part will discuss the importance of a good, well-balanced diet sufficient in proteins (amino acids), fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in the management of skin wounds. Evidence is drawn from clinical trials, case studies of patients with known genetic deficiencies affecting dietary metabolism and metabolic studies. Experimental studies in laboratory animals have provided limited information on the role of nutrient deficiencies in wound repair. There is still an urgent need for prospective controlled studies on the importance of key nutrients at principle phases in the wound-healing cascade and how uptake and metabolism is regulated by growth factors, cytokines and hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition is a provocative subject in tissue repair, particularly in relation to the skin which consists of many different tissues fulfilling various essential functions. This article, the first in a two-part series, will discuss the structure of the human skin and its variations, with indications as to the individual requirements of the cells in fulfilling their normal role in skin physiology and in repair systems. Nutrient gradients seem to play a major role in normal skin physiology and repair systems following injury. The second part will discuss in more detail the importance of major nutrient factors and their inter-relationships in tissue repair. It is clear that much of our available knowledge is derived from experimental studies in animals. Their relevance in human wound healing may be equivocal as the human skin is unique in the animal kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]