TPN 101: From Dextrose to Amino Acids—Fueling & Repairing

In Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), while dextrose acts as the body's primary energy source, amino acids are the principal source of protein. They are vital for tissue repair, preserving lean muscle mass, supporting immune function, and maintaining nitrogen balance.

TPN formulations typically provide amino acids at a dose of 1.0–2.0 g/kg/day, adjusted for clinical conditions such as critical illness, trauma, or post-operative recovery. This same core principle applies to Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN), where patients receive tailored TPN regimens after transitioning out of the hospital setting. In HPN, amino acids continue to play an essential role in maintaining nutritional status, promoting healing, and improving quality of life for individuals with long-term gastrointestinal dysfunction.

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