Nutritional support refers to the provision of essential nutrients to individuals who are unable to consume adequate amounts through their regular diet. The word "nutritional" is pronounced /n(j)uːˈtrɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ using IPA phonetic transcription. "Support" is pronounced /səˈpɔːt/ using the same system. Together, "nutritional support" is pronounced /n(j)uːtrɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l səˈpɔːt/ using IPA and signifies the vital assistance needed by individuals to maintain their nutritional status when their diet alone is not enough. Nutritional support helps improve treatment outcomes and overall health for the individuals who require such assistance.
Nutritional support refers to the specialized healthcare intervention provided to individuals who require additional nutritional intake or assistance due to various medical conditions, deficiencies, diseases, or impairments that affect their ability to consume or absorb nutrients properly. This intervention is designed to optimize and maintain adequate nutrition levels essential for the patient's overall health and well-being.
Nutritional support is implemented through various means, such as dietary modifications, oral supplementation, enteral feeding, or parenteral nutrition. The specific approach selected depends on the patient's condition, the severity of their nutritional impairment, and their ability to consume food orally.
Dietary modifications involve tailoring the individual's meal plan by increasing or decreasing certain nutrients, vitamins, or minerals to address specific nutritional deficiencies. Oral supplementation involves the addition of nutritionally dense products in the form of drinks, powders, or capsules to complement the regular diet and enhance nutrient intake.
In more severe cases, when a person is unable to meet their nutritional needs orally, enteral feeding is used. This involves the administration of a specially formulated liquid diet directly into the patient's stomach or small intestine through a feeding tube.
For individuals with severely compromised gastrointestinal function who cannot receive adequate nutrition orally or via enteral means, parenteral nutrition is utilized. This method involves delivering a sterile and nutritionally complete solution directly into the bloodstream through a central venous catheter.
Nutritional support aims to promote adequate nutrient intake, prevent malnutrition, support tissue healing, enhance immune function, and improve overall health outcomes for individuals who have difficulty meeting their nutritional requirements through regular dietary intake. It is an essential component of medical treatment plans to restore and maintain proper nutrition status.
The word "nutritional" stems from the Latin word "nutritio", which means "nourishing" or "feeding". It is derived from the verb "nutrire", meaning "to nourish" or "to feed". The term "support" originated from the Latin word "supportare", which combines "sub" (meaning "under") and "portare" (meaning "to carry"). Therefore, "support" implies carrying or maintaining something from below. In the context of "nutritional support", the word "nutrition" is combined with "support" to express the idea of aiding or assisting someone's nourishment or feeding, especially in cases where individuals may require additional assistance with their dietary needs.