Medical Nutrition

Medical Nutrition is a therapeutic composition developed to satisfy the nutritional requirements of patients that have specific medical conditions in a manner that supports their physical upkeep, treatment procedure, and symptom management.[1][2]

Normally, individuals obtain the necessary nutrients their bodies require through normal daily diets that process the foods accordingly within the body. Nevertheless, there are circumstances such as disease, distress, stress, and so on that may prevent the body from obtaining sufficient nutrients through diets alone. In such conditions, a dietary supplementation specifically formulated for their individual condition may be required to fill the void created by the specific condition. This can come in form of Medical Nutrition.[3]

Actually, the term "Medical Nutrition" seems to be synonymous with "Medical Nutrition Therapy" (MNT). In fact, many medical experts and nutritionists see both terms as the same.[1] In any case, there are slight differences noted in their specific definitions. The term “medical nutrition therapy” (MNT) is defined as the use of specific nutrition services to treat an illness, injury, or condition.[4] It was introduced in 1994 by the American Dietetic Association to better articulate the nutrition therapy process. It involves the assessment of the nutritional status of the client and the actual treatment, which includes nutrition therapy, counseling, and the use of specialized nutrition supplements.[4][5] Registered dietitians started using MNT as a dietary intervention for preventing or treating other health conditions that are caused by or made worse by unhealthy eating habits.[6]

On the other hand, "Medical Nutrition" as term is more holistic in its definition. It is defined as a therapeutic composition of clinically proven ingredients formulated to meet the specific changed dietary or nutritional needs of patients with a specific medical conditions in a manner that supports their physical sustenance, treatment protocol, and symptom management as directed by an accredited healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or professional nutritionist.[2][7][2]

Aside from the differences in definition, "Medical Nutrition" and "Medical Nutrition Therapy" tend to be viewed hand in hand. Both terms have similar purpose and also connote similar meaning as noticed in various definitions by medical experts.[1]

Different forms

Medical Nutrition can be formulated in diverse forms. It can be distributed in a liquid or powder form. It can also come as tablets, injections or clinically formulated foods - all of which would be done for specific dietary or nutritional purposes and conditions as directed by an accredited healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or professional nutritionist.[1]

Components

Like Medical Foods, Medical Nutrition products are made up of ingredients clinically proven based on recognized scientific procedures meant to improve the treatment of specific medical conditions as well as the patients' recovery from such conditions. This is quite different from general dietary or nutritional supplements to be used for various purposes.[2] Medical Nutrition products are mostly utilized as part of the treatment plan for specific diagnoses under the supervision of a registered dietitian, a professional nutritionist or an accredited healthcare provider.[2]

Administration

In most cases the use of Medical Nutrition is recommended within international and professional guidelines.[3] It can be an integral part of managing acute and short-term diseases. It can also play a major role in supporting patients for extended periods of time and even for a lifetime in some special cases.[3] Medical Nutrition is not meant to replace the treatment of disease but rather complement the normal use of drug therapies prescribed by physicians and other licensed healthcare providers.[3]

Unlike Medical Foods which are defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration, {within their 'Medical Foods Guidance Documents & Regulatory Information' guide in section 5(b) of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 30ee (b) (3))}; as “a food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation,”[8] Medical Nutrition is not required to be administered enterally under the supervision of a physician.

Advantages

The following advantages come with medical nutrition:

Disadvantages

The following are some disadvantages of medical nutrition:

Current trends

In the United States, the Medical Nutrition Industry is currently coming up with new developmental trends as contained in the latest United States Medical Nutrition Industry 2016 Market Research Report.[13][14] In the same vein, the Global Medical Nutrition Consumption 2016 Market Research Report" also contains the current state of Medical Nutrition market across the globe.[15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Stacy, Wiegman. "What is Medical Nutrition?". sharecare.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "What is Medical Nutrition?". cellmarkbiopharma.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "What is Medical Nutrition?". nutritioncollege.org. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 "RDNs and Medical Nutrition Therapy Services". eatright.org. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 Sara F., Morris, et all. "Medical Nutrition Therapy: A Key to Diabetes Management and Prevention". clinical.diabetesjournals.org. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Medical Nutrition Therapy: Definition & Uses". study.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "What is medical nutrition?". nutricia.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Draft Guidance for Industry: Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Foods; Second Edition". fda.gov. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "The Benefits of Medical Nutrition Therapy". blog.themedicalcenterofplano.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  10. ↑ Joyce Green, Pastors et all. "The Evidence for the Effectiveness of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Diabetes Management". care.diabetesjournals.org. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Strategy & Key Figures - Longer, Healthier Lives". danone.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  12. ↑ Natalie, Stein (19 August 2015). "What Are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Nutritional Therapy?". livestrong.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Medical Nutrition Industry Report, United States Market Research, Trends, Growth, Segments, Regulations And Emerging Forecast 2016". www.medgadget.com. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Learn Details Of United States Medical Nutrition Industry 2016". www.medgadget.com. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "Just Available Report : Global Medical Nutrition Consumption Market Research Report 2016". www.medgadget.com. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
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