A new study led by researchers at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and the University of Melbourne, has found that increasing protein delivery via feeding tubes in critically ill patients does not improve recovery outcomes or earlier discharges.
The TARGET Protein trial involved over 3,000 patients in intensive care units (ICU) across Australia and New Zealand. Researchers compared two feeding formulas - one with more protein, and one with a standard amount to see if the extra protein made a difference.
Senior author and Deputy Director and Head of Research at the RMH ICU, Professor Adam Deane says while protein is essential, this study shows increasing the amount doesn’t necessarily translate to better outcomes.
“It’s a reminder that critical illness alters how the body processes nutrients, and we need to tailor interventions based on evidence.”
“This trial challenges the assumption that more protein is better for critically ill patients. Indeed, it appears that giving more protein may be harmful,” he added.
The results showed no benefit from the higher-protein formula. Patients who received more protein did not spend fewer days in hospital, were not more likely to survive, and did not recover faster than those who received the standard formula.
The TARGET Protein trial was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and was supported by national research funding bodies.
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