New Research Reveals Considerable Overlap Between Severe Allergies and Chronic Food Allergies: The potential role of an elimination diet and possibly enteral nutrition with a formula that has elimination diet characteristics Posted on July 9, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on New Research Reveals Considerable Overlap Between Severe Allergies and Chronic Food Allergies: The potential role of an elimination diet and possibly enteral nutrition with a formula that has elimination diet characteristics The last decade has seen dramatic rises in the incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an inflammatory and autoimmune condition of the esophagus where children experience both pain and difficulty with swallowing. Many epidemiologists have considered this new epidemic to be puzzling with no clear causes. A recent investigation at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia however, raises an important question about the role of severe food allergies. Continue reading →
Liquid Hope Fed Mice Have Significantly Less Inflammation, More Beneficial Bacteria, and Better Outcomes. Posted on February 1, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Liquid Hope Fed Mice Have Significantly Less Inflammation, More Beneficial Bacteria, and Better Outcomes. A recently completed study at University of Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital provided significant insight into the protective role of an organic, whole food enteral formula on the GI. Mice with colitis were fed either Liquid Hope or one of two other polymeric enteral formulas for one week. Each group of mice was fed the same volume of their specific enteral formula for one week. Upon completion, the mice were weighed, several markers of inflammation were measured, and various microbial populations were assessed, particularly those that research has linked to a higher or lower risk for infection. In addition, several other biomarkers that influence intestinal inflammation were examined and compared across groups. Continue reading →
A New Approach to Enteral Nutrition Support: Redefining true care, nutritional adequacy, and compatibility. Posted on August 1, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on A New Approach to Enteral Nutrition Support: Redefining true care, nutritional adequacy, and compatibility. The critically and chronically ill patient typically has several biochemical processes that are severely compromised. These aberrant pathways are the target of pharmacological intervention and are typically the only dimension of patient care associated with the outcome. Supporting the patient’s most fundamental nutrition needs are equally important, yet this dimension of care receives very little attention. Continue reading →
Clinical Biomarkers for MDs and RDs: What they mean and what the patient needs Posted on July 24, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Clinical Biomarkers for MDs and RDs: What they mean and what the patient needs By now, most clinicians and dietitians have learned to assess patient lab work with at least some new-found appreciation for those markers of inflammation. These may range from the highly sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP-hs) to the more general erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or possibly the surrogate marker of renal inflammation, urinary micro albumin. Each of these has its own role in detecting inflammatory-based issues and each should indicate the potential role for dietary intervention. C-reactive protein tests, both regular and highly sensitive, have become the most common measures of inflammation. CRP values greater than 3.0 are major red flags,- in fact, anything greater than 1.0 should generate some concern. CRP hs values greater than 1.0 suggest a significant amount of inflammation, most likely systemic and definitely affecting the cardiovascular system. Much of this inflammation is gut-derived: microbes metabolize particular components of a meal or diet and then generate a wide variety of substances, many of which are highly inflammatory. Continue reading →
Hidden Sources of Inflammation in Commercial Enteral Formulas: Looking beyond the sugar and chemicals Posted on June 1, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Hidden Sources of Inflammation in Commercial Enteral Formulas: Looking beyond the sugar and chemicals There is a growing level of awareness around the increased risk for chronic disease and inflammatory-mediated conditions with sugar consumption. Many Liquid Hope and Nourish customers choose our organic, whole-food enteral formulas for this reason alone. Others have decided that there is no place for artificial ingredients or chemicals in their meal replacements or the diet of their critically ill loved ones. These are major issues with many commercial enteral formulas, whether the sugar is coming from corn syrup or fruit juice concentrates and whether the chemicals are preservatives, artificial flavors, or agrochemical residues. Lesser known hazards found in these formulas however, may be even more important to avoid. Continue reading →