Attitude and Practice of Indian Clinicians on Clinical Usage of High Protein Supplementation in Clinical Recovery: A Pan India survey
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Nutritional support plays a crucial role in patient recovery, wound healing, and overall clinical outcomes.(1) High-protein supplements have emerged as a critical intervention in managing nutritional needs across diverse clinical contexts, particularly in post-surgical and recovery-oriented care.(2) This expert survey aimed to investigate the utilization, perceptions, and clinical outcomes of high protein supplementation with amongst medical professionals in diverse clinical scenarios. METHODOLOGY: Our study included 11 questions which assessed attitude and prescribing pattern of High-protein, multivitamins and aminoacids amongst clinicians (Internal medicine and Surgeons) across India. Convenience sampling technique was used to reach out to minimum 80 clinicians. Survey was distributed though Google forms. 92 clinicians completed the survey (79% internal medicine and 21% Surgeons). RESULTS: Among 92 clinicians, almost half (53.6%) use high protein supplementation in 10–30% of their patients. Clinicians prefer to give high protein supplementation most commonly during discharge from hospital for recovery & health (31.9%) followed by post-operative recovery (25.3%), general recovery from acute illness (22%), and to address weakness & fatigue (20.9%). Almost 3/4th (71.7%) agree with high protein supplementation provides benefits in conditions like patients with pre-existing nutritional deficiencies, patients with prolonged hospital admissions and elderly patients during post-surgery period. More than half (68%) prefer to give high protein supplementation for 3 or > 3 weeks. After high protein supplementation, 72.5% clinicians observed benefits like faster recovery times, enhanced energy levels, improved immunity, and increased mobility.(1,2) High protein supplementation is initiated commonly at the time of discharge from the hospital (56%) followed by just after patient admitted in the hospital for illness (23.1%) and then immediately post-operatively (20.9%). Clinical advantages of essential amino acids like Glutamine & Arginine in protein supplementation were improvement in protein metabolism (56.6%), muscle protein synthesis (50%), reduced oxidative stress (45.7%), and regulation of inflammatory responses (37.4%). Additionally, multivitamins and minerals supplementation was associated with enhanced immune function (60.9%), improved energy metabolism (54.3%), antioxidant protection (43.5%) and accelerated healing (35.9%) 69% clinicians reported significant improvement in recovery times with high protein supplementation followed by in 30% reported moderately improved recovery. More than half 56.5% clinicians prefer twice-daily supplementation with preparation in either lukewarm water or lukewarm milk. CONCLUSION: Our survey demonstrates clinical benefits of high protein supplementation in patients with nutritional deficiencies and post-surgical conditions with notable advantages in protein metabolism, muscle protein synthesis, and recovery outcomes. Clinicians predominantly recommend supplementation for three or more weeks, typically initiated during hospital discharge, and emphasize the added value of essential amino acids, multivitamins and minerals in enhancing immune function, recovery and healing processes. Thus, high protein supplementation emerges as a promising intervention to enhance patient recovery and health outcomes.
Authors: Rahul Pandit, Neel Patel, Amit Qumara
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410920158