Nutrition
-
We investigated whether a dietary supplement rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increases fasting plasma ketones or postprandial ketone responses in healthy young and elderly subjects. ⋯ Contrary to our expectations, EPA supplementation lowered postprandial beta-OHB response and, in the elderly subjects, the concentration of postprandial beta-OHB was not lowered after intake of the EPA supplement.
-
Case Reports
Acute respiratory failure due to refeeding syndrome and hypophosphatemia induced by hypocaloric enteral nutrition.
We report a case of acute respiratory failure due to refeeding syndrome caused by hypocaloric enteral tube feeds. A 60-y-old obese man, with a diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma with local metastases, underwent feeding jejunostomy tube insertion. Enteral tube feeding was initiated at small volumes providing 4.4 kcal x kg(-1) x d(-1) and gradually increased over 48 h to 29 kcal x kg(-1) x d(-1) (based on adjusted body weight). ⋯ It took >4 d to adequately correct the electrolyte derangements. Successful liberation from mechanical ventilation was then possible. In chronically malnourished patients undergoing nutritional support, even hypocaloric feeding should be considered a risk factor for developing refeeding syndrome leading to severe and acute electrolyte fluid-balance and metabolic abnormalities.