title: Historical highlights of the development of enteral nutrition.
abstract: The most significant events and discoveries regarding the development of enteral nutrition (EN) dating back to 1500 BC are chronicled. A more detailed description and discussion of subsequent more recent progress during the past two decades is focused primarily on 3 of the most dynamic areas of endeavor: tight glycemic control; timing and combining of EN and total parenteral nutrition to meet early target nutrition goals in intensive care unit patients; and the role, advances, and future of immunonutrition. An abridged classification of solutions for enteral feeding, and a brief outline of key prudent oral dietary guidelines are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. sdudrick@stmh.org
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dudrick
authors.forename: J Alexander
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Palesty
mesh_terms: D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000266:history*; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000266:history; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans