Medical Nutrition: Health Starts With Nutrition

As one of the world’s leading specialists in medical nutrition, Fresenius Kabi is committed to providing the best possible support for patients and healthcare professionals alike. 

We know nutrition is inseparably linked to health and well-being – that’s why we’ve been working hard to find nutritional solutions for over 60 years. We focus on the particular challenges for vulnerable groups and those with serious illnesses, such as digestive tract diseases and cancer. We also offer solutions for surgery, intensive care, pediatric care, and geriatric care, aiming to facilitate tailor-made solutions for every specific nutritional need.

 

patient smiling with nurse

We’ve been at the forefront of developing and providing high-quality medical nutrition, also called clinical nutrition. Our dedication is based on extensive research, years of experience, and a deep commitment to our patients.

Innovation and efficiency help us make high-quality nutrition available to an ever-growing number of people. We’re constantly in touch with medical nutrition associations, and we incorporate the latest medical and scientific insights into product development and concepts.
 

Malnutrition: a global issue

Malnutrition can affect everyone, including:

  • 1 in 3 patients in care homes
  • 1 in 3 older people living independently
  • 1 in 4 patients in hospitals
  • 1 in 3 cancer patients

Oncology, intensive care, nephrology, surgery, pediatrics, geriatrics, and nursing: malnutrition is relevant in numerous medical fields and poses a significant challenge in hospital and nursing environments. Patients who are already debilitated or ill are at increased risk of malnutrition, and the effects can be severe, leading to longer hospital stays, delayed recovery processes, and increased complication rates.

Approximately 40% of hospital patients worldwide are malnourished1

33 million patients are affected by malnutrition in Europe2

Malnutrition costs an estimated €170 billion a year to European countries1

Clinical nutrition is effective in treating malnutrition and avoiding associated costs3

In the UK, only 2.1% of the costs associated with malnutrition and associated diseases went toward clinical nutrition4

More than 50% of patients in hospital don’t eat their entire meal5

Medical nutrition: more than just food

We offer optimal solutions for both enteral and parenteral nutrition that meet the highest quality standards so that healthcare professionals can make the right medical nutrition decision according to the patient’s individual needs, medical diagnosis, and treatment goals.

Enteral nutrition: special formulations for special needs

Enteral nutrition refers to the delivery of nutrients through the digestive tract, either orally or using special feeding tubes. This form of nutrition can be used for all patients with insufficient oral intake, such as in cases of lack of appetite and weight loss, additional energy and nutrient requirements due to illness, or difficulty eating like after a stroke. Our enteral nutrition products contain all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to meet individual needs.

Meet Tom and Leni, who can enjoy life again thanks to an enteral tube

Fresubin®

Fresubin is a range of effective and reliable nutritional products that closes the nutritional gap between daily food intake and the body’s needs. The range includes ready-to-drink beverages, yogurt-style supplements, powders, and tube feeds. Our product formulas are designed to meet patients’ individual needs.

Learn more about our Fresubin product family

325 units of Fresubin clinical nutrition are consumed every minute worldwide.

Parenteral nutrition: ensuring sufficient nutrition

Some critically and chronically ill patients are unable to absorb or utilize sufficient nutrients through their digestive tract and must be fed parenterally via a central venous or peripheral catheter. The nutrients are administered directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous infusion. This special blend of amino acids, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals bypasses the gastrointestinal tract altogether.

We’re the global market leader in parenteral nutrition. Thanks to our experience, we can support healthcare professionals with our comprehensive portfolio, from single components to multi-chamber bags for easy application.

We know and understand the needs of both the healthcare profession and the patients and try to accompany their daily routine with our products in the best possible way. Learn more about how we support enteral and parenteral nutrition with a sophisticated portfolio of pumps and disposables.

3-chamber bags

  • SmofKabiven®
  • Kabiven®

Additives

  • Addaven®​
    Glycophos®​
    Peditrace®
    Soluvit®​ N
    Vitalipid® N Adult​
    Vitalipid® N Infant​

Amino Acids

  • Dipeptiven®
    Aminosteril® N-Hepa​
    Aminoven® 
    Glamin®
    Vaminolact®​n®

Fat Emulsions

  • SMOFlipid®

Medical nutrition support at home

When medical nutrition becomes a permanent condition, it can also be an out-of-hospital treatment thanks to our products. This is a big plus for patients: they can be discharged from the hospital earlier without their care being jeopardized. We accompany healthcare professionals and patients in their care and have adapted our accessories to the different needs so that they can also be used by patients and caregivers at home or in nursing homes.

Keto-Analogues: Slowing chronic kidney disease progression with nutrition

Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is irreversible and can be accompanied by lifestyle and dietary changes – and yet, for those affected, adapting their nutrition often remains critical. Slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease calls for special diets and nutritional supplements. A combination of essential amino acids and keto-analogues of essential amino acids has proven effective, aiming to limit the amount of protein in the diet while meeting the need for essential amino acids and ameliorating uremic symptoms. Especially in advanced stages of CKD, this diet can be crucial and slow down the progression of the disease.6

Learn more about chronic kidney disease and its challenges

Patient Stories: Help from our nutrition portfolio

Nothing stops Noah
Fresenius Kabi supports PACIFHAN's annual World Home Artificial Nutrition Day to spread awareness of this treatment. Read some inspiring stories here.
Living life to the fullest thanks to artificial nutrition
Patient Story
Living life to the fullest thanks to artificial nutrition
Ana and Emma with their colorful backpacks that allow for great mobility during the parenteral nutrition process.
Read how Fresenius Kabi Switzerland brought two families together, allowing their children to life normal lives despite relying on parenteral nutrition.
Growing Up With Parenteral Nutrition
Patient Story
Growing Up With Parenteral Nutrition
Anthony on the road
Inspiring film about challenges and the power of positive thinking.
Living on Parenteral Nutrition
Patient Story
Living on Parenteral Nutrition

1 Barker LA et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2011;8:514–27.
2 Ljungqvist O et al. Nutr Hosp 2009;24:368-70
3 Tappenden KA et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2013;37:482-97
4 Elia M et al. Redditch UK 2006
5 Hospital Patients Are Not Eating Their Full Meal: Results of the Canadian 2010-2011 nutrition Day Survey https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26449683/
6 Hahn et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020