Nutritional Support by Sipping or Enteral Nutrition in Diabetics

Overview

During the lest 20 years the popularity of enteral nutrition in the form of continuous nutrition administered by tube as well as nutritional support by sipping is increasing. Both types of nutrition improve the nutritional status, the immune response of the organism, they improve the passage through the digestive tract and reduce the number of complications. The objective of the present work was to demonstrate the practical possibilities of using this form of nutrition in diabetics. In diabetic diets it is very importem to calculate not only the carbohydrate content of the diet but also their glycaemic index of the diet. The glycaemic index of the diet has an impact on the postprandial blond sugar level and depends on a number of factors. The authors emphasize the continuous supply of nutrients which leads to a reduction of postprandial glycaemia and insulin resistence. In type I diabetics it is useful to combine enteral nutrition with intensified insulin treatment by means of an insulin pump. Enteral nutrition is in this group of patients particularly useful during convalescence because it leads to stabilization of diabetes. Supporting nutrition in the form of sipping should be used after the main meals or instead of snacks in combination with insulin treatment which is a very effective anabolic hormone. In conclusions it may be stated tkat enteral nutrition or sipping are beneficial for diabetics. By supplementing trace elements, minerals and vitamins along with a supply of energy and proteins frequently the quality of life is improved. Depressions are eliminated and collaboration with the physician is improved and this has a positive impact on the compensation of diabetes.

Key words:
nutritional support - sipping enteral nutrition - diabetes.