A composition and a method for administering the composition to a patient in order to accelerate wound healing, particularly postoperative wound healing. The composition, which essentially comprises ornithine .alpha.-ketoglutarate, is water-soluble and formulated for oral administration in single-dose packets. The method for using the composition for promoting wound healing includes the step of administering the composition to a patient preoperatively as well as-postoperatively in accordance with a prescribed protocol. The composition may be customized to include one or more additional agents that are effective for promoting nutritional health and/or treating a particular medical problem. The composition may also be taken daily by athletes to minimize the healing time of closed wounds such as muscle or tendon tears that occur during participation in sports, even when the symptoms of such injury are subclinical.