Assessment of Nutrient Absorption in Enterally Fed Post-intensive Care Unit Patients Using Bomb Calorimetry: do the Calories Stick

Plain-language summary

This study focuses on understanding how well patients who have recovered from an ICU stay absorb nutrients when receiving enteral (tube) feeding. Proper nutrition is crucial for recovery, but we don't fully understand how efficiently enteral feeding works in ICU survivors. The study will use advanced techniques like bomb calorimetry to measure the energy content of stool, and indirect calorimetry to measure patients' resting energy expenditure (REE). This will help assess the effectiveness of enteral feeding in these patients, providing valuable information about their metabolic needs and nutritional status. The study will also look into the environmental impact of enteral feeding, particularly food waste. By understanding how much of the nutrition is absorbed versus excreted, the study hopes to suggest more sustainable feeding practices and reduce unnecessary waste in hospitals. Key Goals: * Primary Goal: Measure how much energy from enteral feeding is absorbed by patients post-ICU by analyzing their stool and energy expenditure. * Secondary Goal: Assess how enteral feeding can be made more sustainable, with less waste generated from unused nutritional products. This research will help improve nutritional care for ICU patients, enhance recovery, and potentially lead to more environmentally friendly healthcare practices.

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