What is the recommended protein intake for injury recovery for active individuals?

• A. 0.8 g/kg/day
• B. 1.2–2.0 g/kg/day
• C. 2.5 g/kg/day
• D. 0.5 g/kg/day

Answer: (B)

When recovering from injury, the body needs more protein to repair damaged tissues and support immune function, especially if you’re staying active. A protein intake around 1.2–2.0 g per kilogram of body weight per day provides enough amino acids to drive muscle protein synthesis and tissue repair while accounting for different injury severities and rehab activity levels.

For example, someone weighing 70 kg would aim for roughly 84–140 g of protein daily, distributed across meals to maximize synthesis, with leaning on protein sources rich in leucine to boost the response. The standard 0.8 g/kg/day is the amount for healthy, non-injured adults and wouldn’t adequately support healing. A level as high as 2.5 g/kg/day is typically more than what’s needed for most injuries and can be unnecessary.