Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
Enteral nutrition: just a fuel or an immunity enhancer?
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Abstract:
Based on a review of randomized, controlled clinical trials, enteral feeding improves septic morbidity in critically ill and/or malnourished patients. Enteral feeding may be better than parenteral feeding, but a definitive study is not available. Immune-enhancing diets further improve septic morbidity in critically ill and/or malnourished patients. Active components identified include arginine, glutamine, and omega-3 fats, but the relative efficacy of any single immune enhancing component versus their combination is impossible to state based on the presently available evidence.
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