Recent advancements in nutrition have led to significant updates in the European nutritional guidelines, presented at the 46th Congress of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) in Milan, Italy. These updates address new challenges and emphasize the importance of the eating environment, as well as the nutritional needs of patients with various diseases that have often been overlooked.
Nutrition in Dementia
Elisabet Rothenberg from Kristianstad University highlighted the new guidelines on nutrition and hydration for dementia patients, which include 40 recommendations—seven for institutions and 33 for individuals. Key updates focus on personalized dietary counseling and creating a pleasant dining environment to encourage eating. The guidelines recommend using fortified foods to address issues like dysphagia, but advise against the routine use of ketogenic diets and probiotics due to insufficient evidence.
Nutrition for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Michael Wilschanski discussed the updated guidelines for CF nutrition, which emphasize the increased life expectancy and new patient demographics. CF leads to nutritional challenges due to pancreatic insufficiency and higher energy needs. With the advent of CFTR modulators, some patients may now experience weight gain, necessitating revised dietary recommendations that consider pregnancy and aging.
Nutrition and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Peter Collins reviewed the ongoing efforts to develop ESPEN guidelines for COPD. With up to 390 million people affected globally, and malnutrition rates in COPD patients ranging from 20% to 50%, clear nutritional management strategies are urgently needed. Current guidelines lack clarity on optimal BMI, nutritional goals, and management during exacerbations. A working group is focusing on 14 key questions to guide future recommendations, with the new guidelines expected at the next ESPEN Congress in 2025.
These updates reflect a growing recognition of the complex interplay between nutrition and chronic diseases, highlighting the need for tailored dietary interventions to improve patient outcomes.
