Nutritional supplements and tube feeds: what is available?
A wide range of specialized nutritional feeding products are now available. One condition for which nutritional feeding products are commonly prescribed is disease-related malnutrition. Nutritional support for poorly nourished clients consists of more than simply prescribing a specialized product. Key nutrition messages need to be applied to individual situations to promote optimal nutritional intake. However, in many situations clients are unable to meet their nutritional requirements by food alone and nutritional supplement products are then extremely useful. The nutritional status of all those receiving nutritional support should be monitored regularly; as the client's nutritional status improves, his/her intake of these products may need to be reduced or stopped. If clients are unable to maintain or improve their nutritional status despite the use of nutritional supplements, additional help from an alternative feeding product may be required.
White
G
G
Mancunian Community Health NHS Trust, Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service, Wythenshawe Health Care Centre, Manchester.
D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*