Enteral Nutrition (Medical Foods)

A medical food, as defined in section 5(b)(3) of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 360ee(b)(3)), is "a food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation." Medical foods are liquid feeding formulas that deliver medical nutrition therapy through nasogastric intubation or other tubal delivery methods (gastrostomy or jejunostomy). They are designed to correct nutritional deficiencies, meet the metabolic needs of individuals who have wounds or are at risk for skin breakdown, or promote weight gain after weight loss. Medical nutritional therapy is important for wound healing and provides the foundation for generating new tissue. Consult a registered dietitian (RD) to complete a nutritional assessment to obtain specific recommendations.