Protein Quality in Medical Nutrition: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Protein plays a vital role in supporting healing, immunity, muscle preservation, and metabolic stability in patients with increased nutritional needs. This booklet, Nutrition Essentials: Protein Quality in Medical Nutrition, offers a science-based overview of how both plant and dairy proteins can meet clinical demands in settings ranging from hospital care to oncology and rehabilitation. With a focus on amino acid composition, digestibility, and protein scoring systems like PDCAAS, the resource equips healthcare professionals with the tools to select the right protein sources for diverse patient populations.

What You Will Learn from This Resource

This expert-led booklet supports your nutritional care planning with essential information. You will:

• Understand the distinction between essential, non-essential, and conditionally essential amino acids

• Learn how protein needs change in patients with cancer, critical illness, or malnutrition

• Compare the digestibility and amino acid profiles of casein, whey, soy, and pea protein isolates

• Explore how to assess protein quality using PDCAAS and amino acid scores

• Discover how oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and tube feeds help patients meet elevated protein requirements

• Gain practical guidance on choosing high-quality protein sources to support outcomes like wound healing, physical strength, and immune resilience

View the Booklet on DNC

Take a moment to explore the full booklet directly on this page. It offers peer-reviewed insights, digestible visuals, and practical recommendations to help you deliver tailored, effective nutritional support across clinical settings.