Medium chain triglycerides and structured lipids as unique nonglucose energy sources in hyperalimentation

This brief review will discuss recent work concerning new intravenous lipid emulsions for future use in clinical patients. Intravenous lipid emulsions currently available in the United States are derived from soybean or safflower oils and serve as sources of nonglucose, nitrogen-sparing calories and the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. Because of concerns that much of the infused long chain triglyceride is not oxidized readily and that there may be some immune system impairment, newer emulsions utilizing medium chain triglycerides have been developed.