Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care
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To provide an overview on the recent literature regarding metabolism during sepsis and outcome-related effects of nutrition therapy in septic patients. The question when and how these patients should be fed with respect to macronutrient intake is elaborated. ⋯ In the absence of strong clinical evidence, pathophysiological findings are discussed and nutritional strategies for septic patients derived. Future studies should explore the individual response to specific exogenous supply of macronutrients and micronutrients in the acute and persistent phase of severe systemic inflammation.
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Recent findings suggest that vitamin D is a marker for outcomes in critical illness. The purpose of this review is to summarize current biological, observational and interventional evidence in the critically ill. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency is a potentially modifiable marker for adverse outcomes in critical illness and critical illness survivors. Vitamin D supplementation is inexpensive and appears safe in critical illness trials. A well powered interventional trial is required to determine the definitive answer regarding the role of vitamin D supplementation in the improvement of critical care outcomes. Until such data are available, a cautious approach to correction of vitamin D status in the ICU is warranted.
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Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care · Mar 2015
ReviewGlutamine and antioxidants: status of their use in critical illness.
Many studies in critically ill patients have addressed enteral or parenteral supplementation of glutamine and antioxidants to counteract assumed deficiencies and induce immune-modulating effects to reduce infections and improve outcome. Older studies showed marked reductions in mortality, infectious morbidity and length of stay. Recent studies no longer show beneficial effects and in contrast even demonstrated increased mortality. This opiniating review focuses on the latest information and the consequences for the use of glutamine and antioxidants in critically ill patients. ⋯ Given that the first dictum in medicine is to do no harm, we cannot be confident that immune-modulating nutrient supplementation with glutamine and antioxidants is effective and well tolerated for critically ill patients. Until more data are available, it is probably better not to routinely administer glutamine and antioxidants in nonphysiological doses to mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.
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Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care · Mar 2015
ReviewPreservation of autophagy should not direct nutritional therapy.
Recent reports in the literature have proposed that forced mandatory feeding should be avoided in the first week of critical illness to preserve autophagy, in order to maximize responses to oxidative stress, preserve organ function, and improve outcomes. ⋯ The argument to withhold feeding to preserve autophagy is poorly substantiated and should not interfere with the delivery of early enteral nutrition to the critically ill patient in that first week following admission to the ICU.
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Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care · Sep 2014
ReviewEarly oral feeding after emergency abdominal operations: another paradigm to be broken?
The scope of this article is to provide an updated review examining the role of early feeding in the postoperative period. ⋯ Early oral intake is possible after elective abdominal surgery and should be moderate and progressive to be well tolerated. Any sign of nausea may mean intestinal or gastric disturbance and is a caution not to pursue this policy. The strategy in emergency abdominal surgery still requires adequately powered, randomized controlled trials.