What is restored during the anabolic phase of metabolic response to trauma?

During the anabolic phase of the metabolic response to trauma, the body focuses on recovery and rebuilding its damaged tissues, which includes restoring body protein stores. This phase occurs after the catabolic phase, where the body uses its own muscle protein for energy and as a substrate for healing.

During the anabolic phase, there is an increased synthesis of proteins, which is crucial for muscle recovery and the repair of tissues that may have been injured during trauma. The body prioritizes building new proteins to support immune function, healing of wounds, and restoring overall body composition. This phase is characterized by positive nitrogen balance, indicating that protein synthesis exceeds protein breakdown.

While energy levels, body fat stores, and fluid balance are certainly important for overall recovery and may improve during this time, the hallmark of the anabolic phase specifically relates to the restoration of body protein stores, making it the most accurate choice in this context.