Conclusion
The literature concerning nutrition and infectious diseases in the developed world contains mixed support for ideas that nutritional supplements serve to prevent infectious diseases. While there is good evidence that enterally feeding those who have sustained surgical or accidental trauma prevents infections, other circumstances may implicate nutrition as a risk factor for infection rather than as a benefit. The following general points can be supported:
1. There is inconsistent evidence that healthy elderly and diabetic people can decrease their infectious risk by taking multivitamins and micronutrient supplementation.
2. Cranberry juice or concentrate can reduce bacteruria in women.
3. Yogurt or lactobacilli have an inconsistent effect in treating or preventing diarrhea.
4. Nutritional supplements offer little benefit in preventing infection in those already ill. The exception may be glutamine supplementation.
5. Enteral feeding is superior to parenteral feeding in lessening infectious risk.
6. Early enteral feeding in trauma and surgical patients prevents infections.
7. There is no best site for the delivery of enteral feedings. Gastric feedings do not appear to increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia when compared to small bowel feedings.