Protein Quality in Medical Nutrition 

What is Protein Quality and How is it Determined?

Protein quality is the capacity of a protein source to meet amino acid requirements to satisfy metabolic needs1,2. Protein quality can be assessed by several different methods, such as Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS), biological value, and protein efficiency ratio. 

PDCAAS is a method of assessing protein quality that has been recommended by the Food & Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization1,2. PDCAAS is based on the total protein digestibility and amino acid score of the protein source. A protein source with a PDCAAS of 1 is considered high quality3.

Why is Protein Quality Important in Medical Nutrition?

As malnourished patients have increased protein requirements and decreased protein intake4, ensuring high quality protein becomes even more important. Offering medical nutrition products that provide the right protein quantity and quality is crucial to help meet patients’ requirements to support building body protein and maintaining bodily functions5-9. 

Can Plant-Based Medical Nutrition Products Meet Patients’ Protein Requirements?

Yes. Protein isolates are used in medical nutrition products. Protein isolates are a refined form of protein that contain very high levels of protein and very little carbohydrates, fibre or fat10. By using protein isolates in plant-based medical nutrition products, it is possible to achieve levels of protein that can help meet patients’ protein requirements. 

Amount of whole food protein intake versus protein isolate required to provide 30g of protein11.
Amount Required from DietAmount Required to Provide 30g Protein
915ml milk35g casein protein isolate
915ml milk37g whey protein isolate
140g cooked soy beans35g soy protein isolate
600g cooked peas39g pea protein isolate


Can Protein Sources used in Plant-Based Medical Nutrition Products be Considered High Quality?

Yes, protein from both dairy and plant sources can meet nutritional standards for protein quality and be considered high quality1, and therefore meet the needs of patients requiring medical nutrition products.

Having a range of medical nutrition products with different sources of blends of high-quality protein can provide variety for patients to support to help to accommodate patient preferences and support adherence12-14.

Protein Quality of Nutricia's PlantBased ONS and Tube Feeds

Our plant based medical nutrition formulations, Fortimel PlantBased, Fortimel PlantBased Protein and Nutrision PlantBased 2 kcal HP MF, contain high-quality blends of soy and pea protein isolates that can help meet your patients' protein requirements to support building body protein and body functions5-9.

How is protein quality assessed?

Want to learn more about protein quality? Watch our video explaining the fundamentals of protein quality, how it’s assessed and how protein from both dairy and plant sources can be considered high quality.

PDCAAS-card-new-16-9

Infographic: Protein Quality in Medical Nutrition

This infographic explains protein quality and demonstrates the protein quality of dairy and plant proteins used in medical nutrition assessed using PDCAAS.

View protein quality infographic

Protein Quality in Medical Nutrition

‘The Science Behind Plant Proteins’

Presented as part of the Educational Sessions at ESPEN 2023

Prof Dominique Dardavet provides an overview of the factors affecting dietary protein quality e.g. amino acid composition, digestibility, food matrix and nutrient interaction. He discusses the differences between plant and dairy proteins and highlights that plant proteins used in plant based medical nutrition can be considered high quality. Watch here to find out more on methods for assessing protein quality e.g. PDCAAS calculation and interpretation.

Plant Quality Summit: Demystifying Protein Quality in Medical Nutrition

This educational event, held by Nutricia during the ESPEN 2022 congress, included presentations from international experts on the topic of protein quality, it’s relevance in clinical conditions, and how standards for protein quality can be met with both dairy, plant, and blends of different protein sources.

‘Protein Quality for Healthcare Professionals’

Prof. Luc van Loon

‘Protein Catabolism in ICU & Amino Acid Dynamics: Implications for Protein Used & Amino Acids Supplied’

Dr. Lee-anne Chapple

‘Drivers, Obstacles and Solutions to Inadequate Protein Intake in Non-Critically Ill Malnourished Patients’

Prof. Maurizio Muscaritoli

‘Protein Quality in Medical Nutrition’

Dr. Yvette Luiking

  1. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation. 2013.
  2. Report of an FAO Expert Consultation. 2013.
  3. Huang et al. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2018;58, 15:267308.
  4. Kruizenga et al. Clin Nutr Open Sci. 2022; 41:47-81.
  5. Bauer et al. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013; 14.8:542-559.
  6. Hurt et al. Nutr Clin Pract. 2017;32:142S-51S.
  7. Ochoa Gautier et al. Nutr Clin Pract. 2017;32:62-14S.
  8. Rostom & Shine. Surgery. 2018;36:153-8.
  9. Hou et al. Exp Biol Med. 201;240:997-1007.
  10.  Garba & Kaur. Int J Curr Res. 2014; 06:35-45.
  11.  Gorissen et al. Amino Acids. 2018; 50:1685-95.
  12.  Holdoway, et al. Nutrients. 2022;14(17):3534.
  13.  Liljeberg, et al. Nutr Clin Pract. 2019;34(6):887-898.
  14.  Hubbard, et al. Clin Nutr. 2012;31(3):293-312.
  15.  Hofman, et al. 2024;ESPEN24-ABS-1881.

Introducing our first ever plant-based oral nutritional supplement

At Nutricia we know that every patient’s journey is unique and with the growing number of patients embracing a plant-based diet and lifestyle1 we have developed a vegan oral nutrition supplement (ONS) that can meet their nutritional needs and lifestyle preferences.

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Individualized Nutritional Care

Individualized nutritional care puts the focus on the patient’s needs, preferences and goals. Delivering nutritional care with an individualized approach can help optimize adherence and patient outcomes.

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