Protein-rich foods ‘definitely have no added value’ for patients in intensive care (study)

Giving protein-rich foods to critically ill patients in intensive care units, a common practice today, does more harm than good. This is demonstrated by a scientific study conducted in five Belgian and several Dutch hospitals, published Friday in the Lancet medical journal. “It certainly has no added value for critically ill patients during the first weeks,” she said.

“Patients in intensive care lose muscle mass and strength. Muscles contain proteins, which are lost and broken down,” explains Professor Dieter Messotten from the Hospital Oost-Limburg in Genk in de Oostend on Radio 1. This is why patients who have so far received treatment have had to have additional proteins administered to compensate for the loss of muscle mass. “The research now shows that taking protein supplements does not compensate for or slow down this loss. People continue to lose muscle strength,” says Messotten, who co-led the research.

According to the professor, taking extra protein also leads to a poorer quality of life in the long term. “We saw that giving more protein than usual would prolong the time out of hospital and cause more side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.”

Mezzotin himself was surprised by the results of the study. “We never thought it would be so overtly negative.”

Protein management policy is now expected to change worldwide. “Based on this study, guidelines in hospitals around the world will be modified,” says Professor van Limburg of Het Belange. “Our study shows that intensive care physicians are still very reluctant to give protein-rich nutrition to patients in intensive care, especially in the acute phase of critical illness.”

Higher doses of proteins are expected to be introduced at a later stage, when the patient is able to get out of bed and recover.