What is Nutritional Support?
Nutrition support is the alternative delivery of nutrients for patients who are unable to eat adequately when provided a normal diet. There are two types of nutrition support, enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition, also called "tube feeding," is a special liquid formula given through a tube into the stomach or small intestine. Parenteral nutrition is used when patients cannot use their gut for enteral feeding. Nutrition is given directly into the bloodstream, through an intravenous tube into a vein. Enteral and parental nutrition support provides protein, sugars, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed for adequate nutrition.
Those who may require nutrition support include:
Patients with severe malabsorption, including those with short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with complications
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Patients with fistulas and other post-surgical complications
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Patients with cancer affecting the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines
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Patients going through chemotherapy or radiation who are unable to maintain their nutrition via oral route
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Patients with severe dysphagia and aspiration risks
How We Help
At METANU, our board certified nutrition physician specialist, nurse practitioners, and dietitians have the expert training to tailor the specific route, type, and amount of nutrition to best suit the needs of each patient. We work together with the goal of improving nutritional status, normalizing weight, minimizing infections, and assisting patients to live as normally as possible despite inability to eat or absorb their meals via a usual diet.
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We provide:
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Prescription and management of total parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition
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Fluid and electrolyte management
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Vitamin and mineral testing and supplementation of deficiencies
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