Research

Energy balance

Critically ill patients require significantly higher protein intakes (2.0–2.5 g/kg/day) than standard guidelines (1.2–1.5 g/kg/day) to achieve positive nitrogen balance and potentially improve survival.

For critically ill patients without kidney failure, medical teams should consider protein intakes of 2.0–2.5 g/kg/day. This higher dose is necessary to counteract the severe catabolic state of critical illness and achieve positive nitrogen balance, which may support survival.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Hoffer and Bistrian have recommended protein provision of 2–2.5 g/kg/day for critically ill patients (66, 67). This level of protein intake is rationalized by these authors as being necessary to offset the sharp negative nitrogen balances seen in critically ill patients (66, 67).
Stuart M. Phillips · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2017

Why this rating

Based on observational data and nitrogen balance studies; the paper notes a lack of large clinical trial support for survival benefits specifically from protein alone.

Source

Current Concepts and Unresolved Questions in Dietary Protein Requirements and Supplements in Adults

Stuart M. Phillips · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2017

DOI 10.3389/fnut.2017.00013

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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