Which of the following statements about zinc and vitamin C in wound healing is accurate?

• A. Zinc supports collagen synthesis and immune function; Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation and fibroblast activity; practical sources include meats, shellfish, legumes for zinc and citrus fruits, peppers, leafy greens for vitamin C; RDAs: zinc 8-11 mg/day; vitamin C 75-90 mg/day.
• B. Zinc has no role in wound healing; Vitamin C is only for energy; no dietary sources listed.
• C. Zinc and Vitamin C are harmful to wounds; avoid.
• D. Zinc is a vitamin; Vitamin C is a mineral.

Answer: (A)

Zinc and vitamin C both play essential roles in wound healing, and understanding their specific functions helps explain why this statement is correct. Zinc acts as a necessary mineral cofactor for enzymes involved in collagen synthesis and supports immune function, which helps wound repair and reduces infection risk. Vitamin C is crucial for collagen formation because it enables the hydroxylation of procollagen, stabilizing collagen fibers, and it also supports fibroblast activity, aiding tissue rebuilding. Practical dietary sources line up with these roles: zinc-rich foods include meats, shellfish, and legumes; vitamin C–rich foods include citrus fruits, peppers, and leafy greens. The recommended daily intakes reflect typical adult needs: about 8–11 mg of zinc and 75–90 mg of vitamin C daily. So, the statement that accurately captures these roles, sources, and daily requirements is the one linking zinc to collagen synthesis and immune function and vitamin C to collagen formation and fibroblast activity, with correct dietary sources and RDAs. The other options misstate these nutrients—for example, claiming zinc has no role in wound healing, or that vitamin C is only for energy, or misclassifying zinc and vitamin C as vitamins/minerals.