Posts Tagged ‘nutrition’

What is Enteral Nutrition? The basics

Posted on: April 15th, 2015 by Medi-RentsBlogger

Cute little girl with a glass of milk, isolated over white

All people need food to live. Sometimes a person cannot eat any or enough food because of an illness. Medi-Rents and Sales specializes in enteral nutrition, so we are bringing you information about this form of feeding. Others may have a decreased appetite, difficulties in swallowing, or some type of surgery that interferes with eating. When this occurs, and one is unable to eat, nutrition must be supplied in a different way. One method is “enteral nutrition” or “tube feeding.”

Normal digestion occurs when food is broken down in the stomach and bowel, then absorbed in the bowel. These absorbed products are carried by the blood to all parts of the body.

Tube feeding is when a special liquid food mixture containing protein, carbohydrates (sugar), fats, vitamins and minerals, is given through a tube into the stomach or small bowel.

Who Receives Tube Feeding?

People of all ages receive tube feeding. It may be given to infants and children, as well as to adults. People can live very well on tube feeding for as long as it is needed. Many times, tube feeding is used for a short time–the tube is removed when the person can begin to eat normally again.

How is Tube Feeding Supplied?

Tube feeding can be given through different types of tubes. One type of tube can be placed through the nose into the stomach or bowel. This tube is called a nasogastric or nasoenteral feeding tube. Sometimes the tube is placed directly through the skin into the stomach or bowel. This is called a gastrostomy or jejunostomy. Your health care team (doctors, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists) will talk with you about the different types of feeding tubes.

Medi-Rents and Sales is a provider of enteral nutrition products for pediatrics and adults. Contact us today to learn more about what we have in stock.

 

 

Food Truths: Don’t believe these Nutrition Myths

Posted on: November 4th, 2014 by Medi-RentsBlogger
Nutrition is important to your overall well-being. Make sure you avoid these nutrition myths.

Nutrition is important to your overall well-being. Make sure you avoid these nutrition myths.

The internet is filled with millions of articles and webpages that contain misinformation about anything you can imagine. From news stories to health information, be wary of what you read and if the source is credible. Medi-Rents wants you to be your best and learn helpful health information. Nutrition is a major part of your life, so Medi-Rents will be showing you a few nutrition myths.

4 common nutrition myths:

  1. Foods, like celery can have negative calories. Wrong, it is actually not possible for a food to have negative calories. Although very low in calories, you do not burn more digesting the food. It takes about 20% of the calories in a food to burn it, so you would still be left with a few calories from the celery.
  2. Muscle can turn into fat. You may hear people say, if you don’t use muscle, it turns into fat. This is not true because muscle cannot turn into something else. It is true that you will lose muscle mass, but it most definitely does not turn into fat.
  3. A detox juice diet will help you lose weight. This is a myth because there is little proof to back up the allegations that a detox can “flush your system”. Although a short fast can possibly help you get started on a weight loss diet, it is not necessarily the answer to losing the weight.
  4. Diet soda can make you gain weight. Recently, there has been a lot of hype about diet soda making people gain weight, just like regular soda. A recent study showed opposite results, stating that diet soda can actually help to lose weight.

Your nutrition is important to your overall health. Knowing what is true and false about nutrition can help you live a better life. Visit Medi-Rents for your medical equipment needs.

 

Eat Healthy, Feel Healthy

Posted on: February 20th, 2013 by Medi-RentsBlogger No Comments

Given that cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States, chances are you know someone or multiple people that are affected by heart conditions. Most of us could probably make some changes to live heart-healthy lives. February is celebrated as American Heart Month, a month for educating and promoting heart-healthy habits for life.

Fresh fish is a great exchange in place of red meat. The Omega-3s provided help keep plaque from building up in your heart and arteries.

Fresh fish is a great exchange in place of red meat. The Omega-3s provided help keep plaque from building up in your heart and arteries.

One characteristic of American Heart Month education is making the public aware of simple changes that can be made for a healthier heart. So, how can we show some our hearts a little love in return for doing so much for us day after day?

A simple answer that goes a long way is to change what you eat. Fat-heavy diets and the obesity that they cause leads to clogged arteries and other heart issues. Eliminating these foods is easy enough, but finding healthy replacements may be challenging.

Men can substitute fresh fish in place of red meat. Salmon, tuna and other fish provide the heart with Omega-3 fatty acids which decrease the risk of abnormal heartbeats and prevent plaque in arteries. Almonds and tender green spinach are also wonderful additions to any diet because of the fiber and antioxidants found in both of these foods.

Berries are a great addition for female diets, especially blueberries and strawberries, according to a Harvard and British study. The study found that the naturally occurring compounds called anthocyanins found in these berries dilate the arteries and reverse the growth of arterial plaque, allowing for better blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Making switches for a diet that promotes a healthy heart doesn’t have to be difficult. All it takes is a little will power and the willingness to try new foods. Medi-Rents & Sales encourages you and your loved ones to seek a lifestyle with your heart in mind during American Heart Month and throughout the year!