The negative impact of the stress response to surgery or illness is well do
cumented. The marked increase in energy demands and rapid erosion of lean b
ody mass lead to significant morbidity including impaired wound healing. Th
e key components of optimal nutritional support for the compromised patient
are also well documented. These components include, first and foremost, th
e assessment and provision of the calories needed to meet energy demands an
d sufficient protein for protein synthesis, including enough for wound heal
ing. Second, sufficient micronutrients must be provided to optimize metabol
ism. Third, anabolic hormones can be a valuable addition to nutrition to he
lp restore lean mass and improve healing. Finally, optimizing nutrition is
now considered a standard of care for wound management to achieve optimum r
esults.