The results of this largest randomized, controlled trial found that in the general ICU population immunonutrition has no beneficial effect on clinical outcome parameters. These results are consistent with the literature that is currently available.

Objective: Assessment of postprandial glycaemic response to four nutritional feeds with different macronutrient and fibre composition. Design: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Setting: University of Maastricht, the Netherlands. Subjects: A total of 10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with type II diabetes. Interventions: Subjects received 200 kcal of four enteral nutrition products (two standard products and two diabetes-specific products). Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose were measured for 2 h. Peak glucose level and area under the curve were calculated. Results: In healthy volunteers and diabetic patients, the feed with a low carbohydrate (CHO), high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and high fibre content significantly decreased peak glucose concentration and area under the curve compared to the feeds with standard composition. Conclusions: Special feeds with a low CHO, high MUFA and high fibre content improve glycaemic balance and therefore should be considered in diabetic patients who are in need of nutritional support.

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