Propofol sedation substantially increases the caloric and lipid intake in critically ill patients.

•Continuous propofol sedation results in a significant fat and energy delivery.•A concentrated 2% solution reduces the unwanted intake of fat.•Monitoring real daily intakes of fat enables adjusting nutrition therapy and prevents an unbalanced diet.•Triacylglycerol monitoring once or twice weekly assists the detection of impending fat overload.•Propofol sedation over several days may have unwanted metabolic consequences on catabolism.