Prolonged nutritional implications are to follow any severe burn injury that is larger than 30% of the body surface. Understanding the nature of this response and the consequent changes in nutritional requirements is vital for the optimal treatment of such patients. The expenditure of resting energy after a burn injury will be as much as one hundred percent. This rise in resting energy is likely brought on with the augmented heat loss from the burn wound and increased beta adrenergic activity. Amplified evaporative heat loss is experienced via the wound also because burned skin loses its effectiveness as a barrier to water loss. The increased blood supply at the burn wound, which is a normal response to any injury, leads to an increase in radiation heat loss.
Major trauma, burns and sepsis have in common a rapid net catabolism of body protein, and a redistribution of the nitrogen pool in the body. Muscle protein breakdown is accelerated, whereas certain rapidly produced 'acute-phase' proteins are made at an increased rate within the liver, wound repair needs amino acids for protein synthesis, and increased immunological activity could also require accelerated protein synthesis. Following a severe burn, an enlarged calorie requirement for healing exists, since the body loses protein through wounds. In an endeavor to minimize net protein catabolism there is an amplified necessity for dietary protein and/or free-form amino acids. Providing an increased intake of protein does not stop the breakdown of muscle protein for the production of energy, rather it provides the materials required to synthesize lost tissue. Even the mild stress of easy bedrest increases the protein requirement to keep up a positive nitrogen balance.
1.2 and 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram each day is what's suggested to the normal person. Children normally require more protein than adults in order to support growth. It's counseled that pediatric patients with burn injuries be given as much as 3 grams of protein per kilogram each day because of the truth that youngsters normally require more protein than adults in order to support growth. In children, about 25% of total energy should come from protein.
Once more, the major reason for death in someone who sustains burn injuries comes from infection. Immune consequences of this injury are identified like deficits in neutrophils chemo taxis, phagocytosis, and intracellular bacterial killing. Cell-mediated immunity, as measured by skin testing, additionally is compromised and has been connected to both decreased lymphocyte activation and suppressive mediators present within the serum of burn patients. A reduction in immunoglobulin synthesis also has been encountered in these seriously unwell patients.
Two of the proteins found in milk is whey and casein. These proteins make up 100% of the protein present in milk of which 80% is casein and just about twenty percent is whey. Whey protein is abundant with certain amino acids and low in fat. The important amino acids, that also are branched chain amino acids, are leucine, valine and isoleucine. The amino acid profile of whey makes it ideal for supporting protein synthesis, muscle growth and body composition.
Cysteine, that's another amino acid, can also be prevalent in whey protein. Augmenting the supply of cysteine in diet has been found to enhance immune function, enhance resistance to infection, and elevate glutathione (GSH) levels (an antioxidant enzyme containing cysteine). In the immune response cysteine will be the evident rate-limiting issue within the synthesis of glutathione to refill the cell's store. The body's frontline guard against infection is called T-cell lymphocytes wherein GSH is very important for the creation and maintenance of these cells. By maintaining high intracellular GSH levels, oxidative damage will be minimized. This can also prevent disease and aid recovery.
Whey protein additionally contains lactoferrin, a protein which has been shown to possess bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity. Studies on lactoferrin have demonstrated its ability to activate natural killer cells and neutrophils, induce colony-stimulating factor activity, and enhance macrophage cytotoxicity. Lactoferrin conjointly has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. The antimicrobial result is likely stronger in organisms that require iron to replicate, as lactoferrin has the unique ability to chelate iron in a way that deprives microorganisms of this essential nutrient for growth
An essential factor of whey protein is known as lactalbumin and has been found to boost brain serotonin and decrease cortisol concentration and enhance mood under stress.
Casein has the distinctive ability of forming clots within the stomach. This makes it a very efficient in nutrient supply. The clot is able to provide a sustained slow release of amino acids into the blood stream, sometimes lasting for many hours. This can generally aid in meeting the demand of the body for an increased supply of amino acids, providing energy, and promoting protein synthesis.
References
1. Pasulka PS, Wachtel TL: Nutritional considerations for the burned patient. Surg Clin North Am 1987 Feb; 67(1): 109-31.
2. WOLFE, R.R.: Caloric requirements of the burned patients. J. Trauma, 21, 712-714 (1981).
3. Wolfe, R.R., Goodenough, R.D., Burke, J.F., Wolfe, M.H.: Response of protein and urea kinetics in burn patients to different levels of protein intake. Ann. Surg., 197, 163-171 (1983).
4. Boirie Y, Dangin, M, Gachon P, Vasson, M.P et al. (1997) Slow and fast dietary proteins differently modulate postprandial protein accretion. Proclamations of National Academy of Sciences, 94: 14930-14935.
5. Counous, G (2000). Whey protein concentrates (WPC) and glutathione modulation in cancer treatment. Anticancer Research, 20: 4785-4792.
6. Lands LC, Grey VL, Smountas AA (1999). Effect of supplementation with a cysteine donor on muscular performance. J Appl Physiol 87:1381-1385.
7. Arnal MA, Mosoni L, Boirie Y, et al (1999). Protein pulse feeding improves protein retention in elderly women. Am J Clin Nutr; 69: 1202-1208.
8. MacKay D. Miller AL, 2003. Nutritional support for wound healing. Altern Med Rev; 8:359-377
Author Resource:
About Protica Research
Founded in 2001, Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect (www.profect.com), IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility. One area of specialty is the manufacturing of Medicare-approved, whey protein liquid for immunodeficiency patients.
You can learn more about Protica at www.protica.com - Copyright - Protica Research
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")