The Nutritional Outcome in Traumatic Brain Injuries Patients Recieving Standard Diet versus High Protein Diet

Abstract

This study explores the impact of nutritional therapy on patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), comparing outcomes between those receiving a standard diet and those provided with a high-protein diet. TBI induces complex metabolic alterations, including hypermetabolism, hypercatabolism, hormonal changes, and inflammatory responses, which collectively contribute to increased energy demand, muscle wasting, and impaired recovery. Adequate nutritional support is critical to attenuate these effects and promote both short- and long-term neurological recovery. Evidence highlights that high-protein intake (1.2–2.0 g/kg/day) supports nitrogen balance, preserves lean body mass, and enhances the production of neurotrophic proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which are essential for neurogenesis and cognitive recovery. In contrast, insufficient nutrition or diets high in fat and sucrose may exacerbate oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and poor outcomes. Furthermore, challenges such as delayed gastric emptying, feeding intolerance, and procedure-related interruptions often hinder optimal caloric and protein delivery in TBI patients. Current clinical guidelines recommend early initiation of enteral feeding, accurate assessment of energy expenditure, and individualized nutritional strategies to improve survival, reduce morbidity, and enhance rehabilitation outcomes. This review emphasizes that adopting a high-protein diet in TBI patients not only addresses the hypercatabolic state but also improves clinical recovery and quality of life compared to standard nutrition.