How much protein do you need a day for wound healing? A comprehensive guide

October 21, 2025 •

5 min read

Studies have shown that protein needs can increase by as much as 250% during the healing process, highlighting its critical role in recovery. Understanding how much protein do you need a day for wound healing? is crucial for providing your body with the necessary building blocks to repair damaged tissue and combat infection effectively.

Quick Summary

Wound healing significantly elevates the body's protein demands to support tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and immune function. Daily protein requirements can range from 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight, depending on the severity of the wound and individual health factors.

Key Points

Increase Daily Intake: During wound healing, protein requirements increase significantly, often to 1.2–2.0 g/kg of body weight per day, far above the standard RDA.
Essential for Repair: Protein is fundamental for tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and the growth of new cells, all of which are crucial for closing wounds.
Supports Immune Function: Adequate protein intake helps produce immune cells and antibodies, bolstering the body's ability to fight infection and manage inflammation.
Incorporate Diverse Sources: Ensure a variety of high-quality protein sources in your diet, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, and legumes, to cover all essential amino acids.
Balance is Key: While increasing protein, maintain a balanced diet with sufficient calories, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, and fluids to support the entire healing process and avoid issues like muscle loss or kidney strain.
Consider Supplements: For individuals with poor appetite or very high needs, healthcare providers may recommend protein shakes or other nutritional supplements.
Spread Intake Throughout the Day: Distributing protein consumption across all meals and snacks helps maintain a steady supply of amino acids for continuous tissue repair.

When your body experiences an injury, its nutritional needs change dramatically. The process of wound healing is a complex, energy-intensive undertaking that relies heavily on a sufficient supply of protein. This macronutrient serves as the fundamental building block for repairing damaged tissue, creating new cells, and producing the collagen that provides structural support to the skin. Without adequate protein, the healing process can be significantly delayed, increasing the risk of complications and infection.

Understanding Your Protein Needs for Healing

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein for the average healthy adult is approximately 0.8 grams per kilogram (g/kg) of body weight. However, this baseline is insufficient for the demands of wound repair. For those recovering from wounds, such as surgical incisions, pressure ulcers, or traumatic injuries, healthcare professionals generally recommend a much higher intake.

Calculating Your Daily Protein Intake

For optimal wound healing, experts often suggest a protein intake ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg of body weight per day. The specific amount depends on several factors, including:

Wound Size and Severity: Larger or more complex wounds require higher protein intake due to increased tissue repair demands.
Individual Health Status: Malnourished or underweight individuals, as well as older adults, may have higher requirements to prevent muscle wasting.
Activity Level: Athletes recovering from an injury may have an even higher need, sometimes up to 2.5 g/kg per day, to support both muscle repair and wound healing.

Example Calculation: For a person weighing 70 kg, a healing diet might require between 84 grams ($70 imes 1.2$) and 140 grams ($70 imes 2.0$) of protein daily. This is a substantial increase from the standard recommended intake of 56 grams.

The Role of Protein in Wound Repair

Protein contributes to the healing process in several critical ways throughout its various stages:

Tissue Repair and Growth: Protein provides the amino acids necessary to build new tissue, close the wound, and restore the skin's integrity.
Collagen Synthesis: Collagen, a key structural protein, is essential for providing strength to new tissue. Protein, along with Vitamin C, is crucial for its production.
Immune Function: Protein plays a vital role in producing antibodies and immune cells that help fight off infection and reduce inflammation at the wound site.
Lean Body Mass Preservation: When energy and protein intake are low, the body may break down its own muscle tissue for amino acids. Adequate protein intake preserves muscle mass, which is important for overall recovery and mobility.

Best Sources of Protein for Wound Healing

To meet your elevated protein needs, it is important to include a variety of high-quality sources in your diet. Both animal- and plant-based proteins can be effective.

Lean Meats and Poultry: Chicken, turkey, and lean beef are excellent sources of complete protein, meaning they contain all essential amino acids.
Fish and Seafood: Salmon and tuna are not only rich in protein but also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can support healing.
Eggs and Dairy: Eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt provide easily digestible, high-quality protein. Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are particularly dense sources.
Legumes and Pulses: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are great plant-based sources of protein and fiber.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and seeds like chia and flax offer protein along with healthy fats and other vital nutrients.
Soy Products: Tofu, tempeh, and soy milk are excellent protein alternatives for vegetarians and vegans.

The Risk of Insufficient vs. Excessive Protein

While increasing protein is essential for healing, there is a balance to maintain. Both insufficient and excessive intake can have consequences, underscoring the need for a personalized approach.


Aspect	Insufficient Protein Intake	Excessive Protein Intake (without medical supervision)
Healing Rate	Delayed healing and weaker scar tissue formation.	Can generally be safe in healthy individuals but can strain kidneys over time.
Muscle Mass	Increased risk of muscle wasting (catabolism).	The body turns excess protein into fat, potentially leading to weight gain.
Immune System	Compromised immune response, making the body more susceptible to infection.	For individuals with existing kidney disease, high protein can worsen function.
Other Issues	Malnutrition, increased risk of infection, reduced collagen synthesis.	Can cause digestive issues (constipation) and dehydration.

Note: Individuals with kidney disease should consult a doctor before increasing protein intake.

Integrating Protein into Your Diet

To make sure you are getting enough protein, focus on spreading your intake throughout the day rather than just at one meal. Here are some practical tips:

Incorporate Protein at Every Meal: Aim to include a protein source with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This helps sustain muscle protein synthesis and supports continuous healing.
Choose Protein-Rich Snacks: Replace low-nutrient snacks with options like Greek yogurt, nuts, cheese and crackers, or a hard-boiled egg.
Fortify Your Foods: Increase protein by adding ingredients like skim milk powder to mashed potatoes or porridge, or sprinkling cheese over soups and vegetables.
Consider Supplements: If your appetite is poor or your needs are exceptionally high, your doctor or dietitian may recommend oral nutrition supplements, such as protein shakes.

Other Vital Nutrients for Wound Healing

Protein is not a standalone hero. For optimal wound healing, it must be supported by a diet rich in other essential nutrients:

Calories: A calorie deficit can cause the body to use protein for energy instead of tissue repair. Ensure you are meeting your energy needs to spare protein for its vital functions.
Vitamin C: This vitamin is crucial for collagen synthesis and helps boost the immune system. Find it in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.
Zinc: Essential for cell growth and protein synthesis, zinc supports all stages of the healing process. Sources include lean meat, seafood, nuts, and whole grains.
Iron: Adequate iron is needed to deliver oxygen to the wound site, which is necessary for healing. Good sources include red meat, dark green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals.
Hydration: Dehydration can hinder nutrient delivery and delay healing. Drinking plenty of fluids is fundamental for recovery.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Protein for Recovery

Wound healing places a significant metabolic demand on your body, and protein is the most important nutrient to meet that challenge. A sufficient intake of high-quality protein, typically 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg per day, is non-negotiable for promoting tissue repair, strengthening new tissue, and supporting your immune system. However, this increased intake should always be part of a well-rounded diet that also includes adequate calories, vitamins, minerals, and hydration. For the most accurate and personalized nutritional plan, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions like kidney disease, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian. Prioritizing proper nutrition, with a focus on your protein needs, is a powerful step towards a faster and more complete recovery. For further reading, see the guidelines on Nutrition and Wound Healing from Mount Sinai Today.

Frequently Asked Questions

For surgical wound healing, you should aim for a higher protein intake, typically between 1.2 and 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight each day. This supports tissue regeneration and prevents the body from breaking down its own muscle tissue for amino acids.

Yes, you can. Excellent plant-based protein sources like legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu, tempeh) provide the essential amino acids needed for wound healing. It is important to eat a diverse range of these foods to ensure a complete amino acid profile.

Protein shakes can be a helpful and convenient way to increase your protein intake, especially if you have a poor appetite or high protein needs. They provide a concentrated source of protein and can be easily consumed throughout the day.

Signs of inadequate protein intake during wound healing include slow or stalled wound closure, weaker and less resilient scar tissue, and a compromised immune system leading to an increased risk of infection. You may also experience muscle wasting.

For better healing, combine protein with Vitamin C (for collagen synthesis), Zinc (for cell growth), Iron (for oxygen transport), and adequate calories (to prevent protein from being used for energy). Staying well-hydrated is also crucial.

A high-protein diet is generally safe for most healthy individuals during the healing phase. However, it can put extra strain on the kidneys. Individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or certain other health conditions should only follow a high-protein diet under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Older adults can increase protein intake by having smaller, more frequent meals and snacks. Fortifying foods with extra protein, such as adding skim milk powder to drinks or cheese to dishes, can also be effective. Protein shakes can also be a useful option.

No, consuming excessively high amounts of protein beyond recommended levels does not necessarily speed up healing and can pose health risks. The body can only utilize a certain amount of protein for repair, and the excess may burden the kidneys or be stored as fat.

The duration of a high-protein diet depends on the wound's size and the healing progress. Once the wound has fully healed, you can gradually return to the standard protein recommendations for maintaining general health, though this is best discussed with your healthcare provider.