There are various gastrointestinal medical conditions such as Crohn's, pancreatitis, dysbiosis, Short bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis for which PICC line is used and parenteral/tube feeding is started. In my case I lost a lot of weight due to chronic digestive issues and was started on TPN to bypass the process of digestion. Many people however continue oral nutrition in the form of liquids or solids, I do too and am working towards weaning off TPN. Before TPN, I was eating and also tried elemental and semi-elemental nutrition. There are many different types and brands available for broken down food to increase and / or maintain weight, hydration and vital function. Here is a comprehensive guide that I found useful when I was researching the same - http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/medicine/divisions/digestive-health/nutrition-support-team/nutrition-articles/MakolaArticle.pdf
The primary ones I tried were Peptamen and Vivonex, I have also used Boost and Ensure but do not really like them as I don't consider them healthy substitutes. These formulas are soy, corn and whey based. I did not tolerate them well but they might suit other people well. I would get uncomfortable GI symptoms such as feeling of fullness, gas, bloating, indigestion, therefore I could not drink enough to sustain my weight. Being on TPN, the only product that I have tolerated well so far is "Absorb Plus". This product uses tapioca starch as a source of maltodextrin/carbohydrate; cold hydrolyzed whey protein with zero fat, zero sugar and zero fiber and comes in various flavors with all essential nutrients for the body. Unfortunately by the time I found this product I was already on TPN. Even being on TPN, I have been drinking this as much as I can tolerate. This product does not have any sugar or artificial flavoring and is corn, soy, lactose, gluten, fat free. Besides using corn or soy as the carbohydrate source, all commercially available oral formulas also contain artificial flavoring and sugar to make the formula palatable.
I have not found any product in the market similar to "Absorb Plus" so far and most of them do have Glutamine that absorbs water from our intestines/colon so it's good to drink lot of fluids/water etc to prevent constipation. I wish there was a Glutamine free version of "Absorb Plus" as well. Some formulas are prepackaged and need to be consumed once opened or can be refrigerated for few hours but others like "Jay Robb, Absorb Plus" come in powder form and can be prepared fresh in water or milk, taste can be modified further to make it tastier and palatable by adding flax fiber, fruits (berries, banana) and vanilla extract. I avoid using white processed sugar so I prefer to use raw organic honey/Agave from Wholefoods market or farm based to make it sweet and add a pinch of cardamom, cinnamon for better digestion and flavor both.
Below is a list of few products that I had tried and may be useful for people with need of elemental foods:
The primary ones I tried were Peptamen and Vivonex, I have also used Boost and Ensure but do not really like them as I don't consider them healthy substitutes. These formulas are soy, corn and whey based. I did not tolerate them well but they might suit other people well. I would get uncomfortable GI symptoms such as feeling of fullness, gas, bloating, indigestion, therefore I could not drink enough to sustain my weight. Being on TPN, the only product that I have tolerated well so far is "Absorb Plus". This product uses tapioca starch as a source of maltodextrin/carbohydrate; cold hydrolyzed whey protein with zero fat, zero sugar and zero fiber and comes in various flavors with all essential nutrients for the body. Unfortunately by the time I found this product I was already on TPN. Even being on TPN, I have been drinking this as much as I can tolerate. This product does not have any sugar or artificial flavoring and is corn, soy, lactose, gluten, fat free. Besides using corn or soy as the carbohydrate source, all commercially available oral formulas also contain artificial flavoring and sugar to make the formula palatable.
I have not found any product in the market similar to "Absorb Plus" so far and most of them do have Glutamine that absorbs water from our intestines/colon so it's good to drink lot of fluids/water etc to prevent constipation. I wish there was a Glutamine free version of "Absorb Plus" as well. Some formulas are prepackaged and need to be consumed once opened or can be refrigerated for few hours but others like "Jay Robb, Absorb Plus" come in powder form and can be prepared fresh in water or milk, taste can be modified further to make it tastier and palatable by adding flax fiber, fruits (berries, banana) and vanilla extract. I avoid using white processed sugar so I prefer to use raw organic honey/Agave from Wholefoods market or farm based to make it sweet and add a pinch of cardamom, cinnamon for better digestion and flavor both.
Below is a list of few products that I had tried and may be useful for people with need of elemental foods:
- Peptamen - http://www.nestlehealthscience.us/products
- Vivonex - http://www.nestlehealthscience.us/products
- Absorb plus - http://www.absorbplus.com/
- Mike's Maltodrextrin from Amazon.com
Bone broths - After lot of reading and research, we tried fresh bone broths to heal my intestinal lining, it's an elixir of life. There is ample information on internet on its benefits and variety of recipes on how to prepare fresh broths at home. These have micronutrients that heal the intestinal lining and can promote good health. I make enough that could last up to 3 months, these can easily be kept frozen, never go bad and unfreeze portions to drink. I make it in a slow cooker depending on the type of broth (fish, chicken, lamb/goat), cook for few hours or overnight. Fish broths cook faster within 4-6 hrs unlike lamb, goat, chicken that takes anywhere between 12 to 24 hrs for the bone marrow to melt down completely, I keep the bones soaked in ACV (apple cider vinegar) and later add veggies (carrots, onions, spinach, ginger, garlic) to make it alkaline and rich in taste.
On TPN, I noticed that trace minerals and vitamin vials are not enough for the body needs, I try to supplement it orally. Angstrom iron with vitamin C is a very good product that can be used for iron deficiency in the body. Goodstate mineral complex, calcium magnesium, iron are all good products that absorb well and support the body in case of vitamin mineral deficiency.
On TPN, I noticed that trace minerals and vitamin vials are not enough for the body needs, I try to supplement it orally. Angstrom iron with vitamin C is a very good product that can be used for iron deficiency in the body. Goodstate mineral complex, calcium magnesium, iron are all good products that absorb well and support the body in case of vitamin mineral deficiency.