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Knowledge of Constituent Ingredients in Enteral Nutrition Formulas Can Make a Difference in Patient Response to Enteral Feeding
Author(s) -
Savino Patricia
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1177/0884533617724759
Subject(s) - medicine , parenteral nutrition , enteral administration , micronutrient , intensive care medicine , allowance (engineering) , pathology , operations management , economics
Enteral feeding is considered the preferred method for providing a complete or supplemental source of nutrition to patients. Enteral formulas (EFs) are traditionally assessed from general information provided by the manufacturer such as caloric density, percentage of macronutrients, and micronutrients to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Sometimes labeling information highlights particular ingredients to indicate specific properties at a metabolic or nutrition level. However, it is necessary to review the quality and composition of any enteral formula, since the basic components are responsible for tolerance and nutrition efficacy, and this should not be overshadowed by the benefit of a single constituent. Intolerance to EF is commonly attributed to individual patient response or to the means of administration. The objective of this review is to highlight the importance of appraising EFs with regard to composition and effect on the gastrointestinal tract.