The leading role of dietetic practices in healthcare is the preparation and delivery of nutrients through meals and supplements and the nutritional care of patients. Nutrient delivery is administered in three significant ways: Enteral, which refers to nutrition administered through the gastrointestinal tract or via tube feeding. Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients to clients directly into the systemic circulation by feeding into a vein and is commonly used in acute care settings. Oral nutrients are delivered orally through the mouth; it is an efficient way for clients to meet their nutritional demands or boost their consumption of nutrients.
Enteral tube feeding can be done by placing a feeding tube through a surgically made opening or nose. The tubes used are Nasal and duodenal tubes, while nasal and gastric tubes and these tubes are short-term to avoid irritation of tissues (Grumezescu, 2017). The oral type of nutrient delivery is preferred because the client is encouraged to eat the meal directly, which is an optimal way of acquiring nutrients. In addition, clients experience physical and psychological pleasure while eating.
Nutrient interaction is classified into four, beginning with the pharmacist and ending with the elimination of its components. Thus, the process occurs when one nutrient affects the absorption and use of another nutrient: the procedure can be additive or antagonistic, and works both in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic ways (Sultan et al., 2016). These interactions include Type I interaction; this type usually occurs on the outer side of the body. Type II interactions occur with enteral or oral intake, which produces increasing or decreasing bioaccessibility of either the nutrient or drug. Type III interaction occurs after the compounds have penetrated the system. Type IV interaction is where the liver and kidneys affect how substances are eliminated. Nutritionists play a significant role in determining the best way of delivering nutrients to clients by assessing the nutritional needs of the patients.
Reference
Grumezescu, A. M. (2017). Nutrient delivery | ScienceDirect. sciencedirect.com.