The high fashion in nutrition for the critically ill is to recommend a high protein intake. Several opinion leaders are surfing on this wave, expanding the suggested protein allowance upwards. At the same time, there is no new evidence supporting this change in recommendations. Observational data show that in clinical practice protein intake is most often far below current ESPEN recommendations of 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day. Therefore, it may be in the best interests of our patients just to adhere to that guideline, and not to stretch them upwards for protein intake? Here we give arguments to stay conservative.
Keywords: Critical care; Nitrogen balance; Protein balance; Protein intake; Protein turnover.