Enteral Feeding

Enteral Feeding

Enteral feeding refers to food intake via the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract comprises the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. A person chooses to have enteral feeds when an injury prevents him from eating a regular diet by mouth, but his GI tract can still function. An enteral diet involves receiving a specialized fluid formula that is a blend of micronutrients and macronutrients." Enteral" means that the nutrition passes through the intestines. A doctor recommends an enteral diet to give rest to a person's digestive system. When the person receives an enteral feeding, his system doesn't have to churn or digest the food. Instead, the formula liquid directly passes to the person's intestines, where the intestines can directly absorb the nutrients. The purpose of someone having an enteral diet also includes the following reasons:

• To increase remission rates
• To heal the gastrointestinal tract lining
• To improve overall body nutrition
• To gain weight
• To increase muscle mass
• To enhance bone health