Improving the nutrition of patients using Entera Fibre Plus

This article examines the role of fibre in the diet with a special focus on Entera Fibre Plus, a new high energy, fibre-containing sip feed. Early enteral feeds were all fibre-free or 'low residue'. In the last 10 years fibre-containing feeds have become available, mostly designed for tube feeding and containing a single fibre source. Entera Fibre Plus contains a mixed fibre source, providing both soluble and insoluble fibre types, including inulin. This helps provide the full range of fibre benefits, which include reduction of constipation and diarrhoea, maintaining the health of the gut and encouraging beneficial gut bacteria to assist the body's defence systems. Inulin has a specific role in the latter. Entera Fibre Plus provides 300 kcal and 5 g of fibre per 200 ml pack and is available in six flavours. It is a convenient and palatable way of improving the nutritional status of patients who are malnourished and may be of particular benefit to elderly people, those on long-term supplements and those who suffer from chronic constipation or diarrhoea. Entera Fibre Plus is approved by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) and is available at retall pharmacles or on prescription.