Integrative Therapeutics Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Elemental Diet introduces a newfound way for the body to receive the proper intake of nutrients and ingest, digest, and absorb them sufficiently. An elemental diet is a diet that consists of pre-digested or elemental nutrients designed to be used as the sole source of nutrition for limited periods of time.
What Is an Elemental Diet?
Elemental diets are often used by patients with a limited capacity to properly digest, absorb, or metabolize ordinary foods or certain nutrients. These conditions may not be curable through increased food intake or ordinary supplements.
The nutrients present in an elemental diet are considered medical foods and are made available through a variety of delivery methods. These methods include taking the nutrients orally, through gastric tube feeding, or intravenously.
These nutrients can be ingested as a powder reconstituted with water or in a ready-to-drink package. These nutrients included in Integrative Therapeutics’ Elemental Diet are in their simplest form, which allows them to be easily assimilated into the body, thus reducing stress on the digestive organs.
Clinical History of the Elemental Diet
Research has resurfaced since the initial use of the elemental diet in hospital settings in the 1940s, indicating the many benefits of using the diet as a dietary intervention for patients with moderate to severely compromised digestive systems in outpatient settings. Nutrients from an elemental diet are believed to be primarily absorbed in the small intestine, which limits the digestive function needed to absorb the necessary nutrients.
Application
While the clinic applications of an elemental diet vary, the most common and most heavily researched are within the areas of moderate to severe GI dysfunction. The two methods for treating such dysfunction are parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition. Parenteral nutrition is the feeding of a person intravenously and bypassing the usual process of eating and digestion. Enteral nutrition indicates nutrition given through the intestines including all oral, NJ tube, NG, and PEG feedings. It should be noted that the full elemental diet protocol is utilized to treat patients with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or Crohn's Disease.
Composition of Micro & Macro Nutrients
The Integrative Therapeutics Elemental Diet is an effective way for those with moderate to severely compromised digestive systems to receive the nutrients they need. Of this diet, 14-18% of calories come from protein in the form of amino acids, 6-43% of calories come from fat in the form of fatty acids, and 42-76% of calories come from carbohydrates in the form of monosaccharides. The micronutrient composition of an elemental formula is complex because it must be sufficient for up to four weeks as the main source of nutrition.
It is also imperative to have a general understanding of what an elemental diet is and what it isn’t. Meal replacement products that implement intact protein sources are often used to support body composition. Elemental diets, on the other hand, are medical foods that must be used under medical supervision when taken by someone within a spectrum of health concerns.
Forms of the Elemental Diet
Protocol stipulates three ways to implement the elemental diet. This diet can be used in full, half, or PRN (as needed) forms. It should be noted that regardless of which protocol is applied, medical supervision throughout the duration of the diet is critical. Supervision must include proper evaluation of caloric need, evaluating that symptoms do not arise or exacerbate, and evaluating that the patient is adhering to the prescribed protocol. The three protocols of full, half and PRN elemental diets are as follows….
Full Elemental Diet
This protocol entails relying on an elemental diet product as the sole source of nutrition. Under this protocol, the diet will be followed entirely for a duration of two weeks. During this time, the elemental formula will fulfill 100% of the patient’s caloric need and is most often used for patients with SIBO or Crohn’s Disease. Per Integrative Therapeutics: “Use of an elemental diet product for a period of two weeks is considered the most evidence-based protocol as it has commonly been used in clinical trials. It can also be extended out an additional week or two based on clinical need. Clinical need can be determined by symptom monitoring or in the case of SIBO, via a breath test for microbial overgrowth.”
Half Elemental Diet
The half elemental diet protocol entails using an elemental diet product as a partial source of nutrition. In this case, a patient will stick to the diet for a two to four week duration period, with a caloric need of 50% being met solely from the elemental diet, and the other 50% being met from well-tolerated foods. This diet is ideal for patients with moderate to severe GI dysfunction who are unable to complete or tolerate a full elemental diet.
Integrative Therapeutics’ half elemental diet stipulates that “Half-elemental diets are used when patients cannot, or will not, adhere to a full elemental diet protocol, when practitioners are not as comfortable with full elemental diet, OR are desirous of utilizing additional nutritional therapies—such as nutritional supplements.”
PRN Elemental Diet
The PRN (as needed) elemental diet protocol entails using an elemental diet product as a full or partial source of nutrition, but only when needed. The duration of the elemental diet under this protocol often varies, as does the caloric need given its as-needed basis. Most patients utilize this protocol during food re-introduction, exacerbations, or following a prior full or half elemental diet protocol.
Considering Integrative Therapeutics Elemental Diet
There is due consideration required prior to undergoing any protocol of an elemental diet, as there are many implications that can either be positive or negative. It’s highly recommended to seek consultation with a medical professional who can properly determine whether or not any of these protocols are a necessity for you. However, for those with SIBO, Crohn's Disease, or moderate to severe GI dysfunction, this innovative diet may be the perfect fit to alleviate the consequences and/or symptoms of your particular ailment. For more information regarding this product, contact Purety Family Medical Clinic. We specialize in practicing effective holistic medicine that is meant to cure the entire body—not just the malady!